Howdy guys, after looking thru early threads and asking you guys some ? I picked up a new TC and changed it out.
Here's the deal;

Why did I replace the TC ?, I had a rattle, very noticable at idle, Hated that extra noise and was worried what would happen if whatever was loose broke,
I know several guys have had the rattle and have run a lot of miles that way-I would rather fix now than wait for a break down that took out the tranny as well.

Which TC did I get ?, I thought about a stock but It seems the stock TC may be the weakest link in the powertrain so why, I wanted something better . Looked at the Suncoast etc., bulletproof but pricey and really meant for a new built tranny (like BTS), I'd rather get what matches my Excursion-stock tranny, 80E & 4" ex. The top TC's are great but more than what matched up with the rest of the truck.
I ended up with a Daaco ex HD, has a billet housing, multi disk clutch and a slightly lower stall (100 to 200 rpm). Meant to handle a bit extra torque and heavy towing. The billet housing do look a lot stronger. Were the stock had the mounting studs welded on spacers that held the TC abou 3/16ths away from the flexplate the billet has the studs mounted directly the face of the housing- the flexplate sits flush with the housing meaning the billet housing is about 3/16ths thicker. There may be more machined away inside for the multi disk clutch but I could tell that new TC weighed more than the stock.
Cost me $450 + tax.

How's it work?, Seems pretty nice, locks up tight, I can notice the lower stall, feels more the way it should be. It tightened up the feel of the TC/tranny.
One interesting result- I had on takeoff from stop a slight bump or lag-kind of like a real quick downshift, enough to notice but barely before the replacement. That is completely gone. I guess the old TC was a little loose inside. I'm glad I changed the TC out. Now I'll have to put some mileage on to see how it holds up

Other notes, I ended up removing my exhaust downpipe. My repair manuals didn't show this as a needed step but there was no way I could see to get to the top passenger side housing to eng bolt. piece of cake after pulling the exhaust. I also left the tranny and transfer case together as a unit when I pulled them out. They balanced on a floor jack pretty well.
I was glad my Son in Law was around to help with the Exhaust and pulling/reinstalling the tranny.

Jerry

What do you guys think?

 

Sounds great, and you did it yourself,even better, let us know how it holds up and if MPG go up. Glad things went well.

 

That's one hell of a writeup, i left you some goodies. That's sure to help some people out there with stock converters who want to upgrade. I also don't recommend installing a fancy *** expensive converter in front of a stock transmission. Because WHEN not IF it will go, it's going to take the TC with it, there goes a few paychecks, where you can get the same performance for 1/3 of the price. Very nice.

 

Great write up. I hear better TC will give you more MPGs as well. Let us know how it goes.

 

I think you may have the exact same converter as I do... Works good!

 

impressive to balance that mess on a floor jack! thanks for the report.

 

Good Job. I've been wanting to do this myself. I'm just a little scared. I'm glad everything went good for ya. BTW Great write up.

 

where or who did you get it from?

 

Thanks for the positive feedback guys,

aldridgec- The combo tranny/xfr balanced pretty well side to side (I left the crossmember attached just in case) but it was front heavy, we muscled it with a jackstand lifting and setting it down a notch at a time, another good floorjack at the front of the tranny would have made it fairly easy.

harleydude03- I mispelled the correct is dacco they are a nationwide tranny parts supplier www.daccoinc.com I think they have over 200 locations. I got mine in Alb,NM

jwhitetail & zack7.3- I hope it helps the MPG's-I'll check as the miles go by

strokin_it7.3- Thanks, pardon me for asking, tell me about the goodies, I tend to be blind to the obvious.

Jerry