Ive recently started pulling alot more (7200lb camper and my tractor on a flatbed 6500lbs) since getting my truck programmed by hypertec and feel like i need to upgrade my tranny to hold up as long as possible. I have recenlty purchased a larger tranny cooler, and larger capacity pan, and I'm now waiting to purchase a shift kit and all the fluid to do a complete flush while i'm at it. i just rolled over 77k and as far as i know the transmission has never had any work done to it. So my question is whats the difference between the transgo tugger and regular transgo kit? Which will suit me best for towing and future HP increases and what fluid do you recommend? Also, when i got the truck programmed I selected that i did not have any aftermarket shift kit installed, will i need to get it reprogrammed after installing the shift kit? Thanks guys

 

Here's a bump for the Transgo kit installers here, good luck Bluebronco85

 

Both TG kits do the same thing as far as shift duration & firmness, from what I can tell in the instructions. The Tugger is meant for pulling applications, and has a couple mods you can't do unless you pull the trans. I can't recall if the standard HD2 kit has those ones or not. There is also a difference underneath. You modify the Main Valve Body to change the way manual shifting works, so that if you want to use an exhaust brake, you don't bake your trans. I did the Tugger, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I *wanted* to pull mine and do all the mods, but I didn't have the time. But, I still have those parts so that if for some reason mine has to come out, those parts can go in.

Those mods consist of a pump mod for extra flow, and a TC lockup mod similar to the mods that are done in the valve bodies that decreases the lockup time. The is also a mod for a ring internally that fixes a problem that I'm not sure we have. This kit is for the A4OD and the 4R100, so some stuff may not apply. From what I can tell, nobody has had to modify their solenoid pack in the 4R100. I haven't heard about anyone doing the internal mods, so that part is just an educated guess. What I can say is that I've never heard of the problem here that the ring is supposed to fix.

I think you'll be very satisfied with the Tugger in your application. BUT, I highly suggest custom tunes to go along with it. I would definitely change the programming for a mod'ed trans once you do this. I got my DP before I did the trans mods, and it didn't feel right at all after. The shifting actually felt way better in stock. AFTER I got tunes to match, it was a night & day difference! If I got another 7.3 today, the first thing I would do is intake, exhaust, gauges, and the trans mods. Tunes after all that.

 

2 of the "internal" mods are a better lip seal for the direct clutch apply piston and OD clutch piston return spring snap ring. You probably wouldn't notice any difference without installing these. These upgrades require disassembly of the trans and not just the pump removal. The pump mods upgrade the line and TC regulated pressures. I did all these mods during my trans rebuild 1 1/2 yrs ago.

 

so if im not going to do all the mods that require pulling the tranny out is it worth paying the extra for the tugger HD2 kit or jus stick with the regular transgo kit? And what brand fluid do yall recommend? Thanks