A few questions - transmission upgrades and lift

click23 · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 9:22 am **Posts:** 309

My wife and I are looking at purchasing a pop up camper in the next year or so. Our 05 CRD will be our tow vehicle, and I want to make sure it is up to the task. I few things that I would like some input on:

1. We would like to add a mild lift. I am look at http://www.rocky-road.com/kjome.html, and I see a CRD specific kit and an CRD with HD rear springs. For pulling a 2-3000lb popup would I need the HD rear springs?
2. How does the GR2 strut compare to the OME?
3. I need to replace the torque converter edit- due to shudder, and living in the hills of east Tennessee. I have read through most everything on here about torque converters, and at this time see a major benefit of the one from Suncoast vs the current one from Mopar. Anyone have any other thoughts? Right now I have the torque reduced eco tune from GDE, after this I will have the full power eco tune installed.
4. Should I replace the pump or have the transgo kit installed? If transgo, what is model number?
5. I have seen a couple of mentions of a "Sonnax hardened repair sleeve". If I do one of the two in question 4, is this needed?
6. Has anyone used the wix filter/gasket kit, http://www.wixfilters.com/filterlookup/ ... Part=58843? Any thought on it?
7. I am also looking at the GDE trans tune. With this light load, should I go for the eco tune, or the tow tune?
8. Any other suggestions/ideas?

Thanks!

papaindigo · **Posted:** Mon Apr 23, 2012 12:56 pm

Somewhat informed thoughts prior to others adding more informed thoughts:
1. no info on lifts from me but since the CRD is rated for 5k towing in the US and 7K or so overseas with the OEM springs I see no reason to go for heavy rear springs unless your OEM ones are sacked.
2. no comment.
3. if you have the stock OEM TC (what I call 2n gen which is the one that was installed during production after the very early 1s gen with the plastic part) it will do ok for towing that rig as long as you are not pushing hard in hilly country. If it shudders though you will need to upgrade and you will need to upgrade if you go with the GDE hot tune or Stage II turbo. The Mopar Euro TC is supposed to be able to handle anything the you throw at it including those 2 GDE products and it is a bit cheaper than the SunCoast. On the other hand I went with the SunCoast mainly because I live 3 hrs away and they did the install along with tranny service, tranny inspection, and transgo kit for the pump with 2 yr. TC warranty. FYI the basic GDE EcoTune is not torque reduced as it has more HP and torque than the post F-37 OEM programming; it is, however, less powerful than the other GDE tunes.
4. I asked SunCoast about the pump vs. transgo and they recommend transgo but I don't know the kit #.
5. If I understand it correctly either way you go under #4 takes care of this issue. I think this refers to a special tool and sleeve that fixes the pump seat without a new pump or transgo but I could be wrong.
6. I've recommended it, mainly because I like WIX products, but have not used it. Others have and I've heard of no problems.
7. probably the regular but you might ask Keith at GDE. He dispenses excellent advice via email or phone.
8. be sure your tstat is operating in the corrrect range (temp gauge vertical or a half tic left of vertical) and consider replacing your OEM fan clutch with the Hayden severe duty unit that kicks in at a bit lower radiator air temp which catches any temp rise earlier than the OEM clutch with is a known weak point.

Tony P. · **Posted:** Mon Apr 23, 2012 1:37 pm

X2 with papaindingo.

It is a well known fact that our T/C's are prone to failure. If you tow anything with our crd's it is an added load/stress on the vehicle and inevitably going to cause a premature failure with the T/C. Especially towing a load with hills. Opinion, if you are going to have the expense of replacing the T/C do it right the first time around (suncoast). That in turn will prepare the crd for future tune(s) if you feel you need for more power under the hood. I have had the suncoast T/C and GDE hot tune almost a year now and I couldn't be happier with both of them! Eventually would consider the stage II turbo.

WolverineFW · **Posted:** Mon Apr 23, 2012 6:17 pm

#4. There were two versions of the pump in the transmission. The original one is slightly different from the second version. If you have the first one and it is leaking for any reason, it will have to be replaced because the new cover and seal are different on the new one. I think the only way to tell which one you have is visually when the transmission is out. If you have no leaks in the pump, you should just be able to put in the transgo kit.

click23 · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 9:22 am **Posts:** 309

I believe I have the second revision of the pump as my whole transmission was replaced in early 2009.

The thermostat is just a few years old, and does not show any signs of trouble like the last one did.

fastring · **Posted:** Wed Apr 25, 2012 12:26 am

Read up on the suspension in the non-CRD areas of the forum. Most here are either pure Old Man Emu (OME) or the Frankenlift (that uses OME) fans. Most dislike Rocky Road due to customer service issues. I've had multiple samurais over the years and they were a unique parts provider (other than calmini and the guys in Rainbow CA, forget the name...). Anyhow, I dont recall ever hearing any bad issues with them from the zuki guys but over here, you hear it alot. I only ordered from them once, for Suzuki parts and it was a bad experience. One part (the most expensive) didnt arrive with the rest of the parts. There was no explanation why, and only one tracking number sent. I emailed. No response. I called, couldnt reach them. I finally reached a nice lady who said that they dont carry the part, its drop shipped and they have no idea when it will arrive or what its status is. They took no responsibility for it. That was very telling. The part arrived, after 3 weeks. I expect amazon.com customer service and information status on purchases and RR wasnt even close.

I'm waiting for a solid axle kit or more people to try a solid axle swap with leaf springs instead of lifting the IFS, but if I were going to lift the IFS, I'd go either pure OME or try the Frankenlift with OME.

A few questions - transmission upgrades and lift

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