big66440 Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 I'm going to be installing my TransGo AW4 reprogram kit this week, do you guys have any suggestions? has anyone here actually done it? I tried looking up info online but found very little on actual "how to" I know the kit comes with instructions but I like researching as much as possible to avoid surprises since it's my only vehicle and plan on doing this new years day so all the local auto parts stores will be closed, thanks. Here's the link for the kit http://www.summitracing.com/parts/trg-340-hd2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 One consideration -- I assume the kit calls for removing the pan from the transmission. The dipstick/fill tube is integral with the pan. It's in two pieces, so the upper part can stay in the vehicle when you drop the pan. The problem is that the rubber O-ring at the joint is probably rock hard and you won't be able to separate the two halves. And you'll probably have to destroy the upper half to get the pan out of the truck. To be safe, buy a spare upped tube and O-ring to have available if you need them. Use Vaseline on the O-ring when reassembling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeepman Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 One consideration -- I assume the kit calls for removing the pan from the transmission. The dipstick/fill tube is integral with the pan. It's in two pieces, so the upper part can stay in the vehicle when you drop the pan. The problem is that the rubber O-ring at the joint is probably rock hard and you won't be able to separate the two halves. And you'll probably have to destroy the upper half to get the pan out of the truck. To be safe, buy a spare upped tube and O-ring to have available if you need them. Use Vaseline on the O-ring when reassembling. You can just unbolt the tube from the engine and pull the tube with the pan then separate once on the ground... I did this exact shift kit however I had to remove it due to transmission issues... (bad trans) I got mine on EBay... The $#!&ty part about the kit is that it doesn't include valve body gaskets so I attempted to re-use mine and it worked but they were so brittle that pieces started breaking off and I did not learn that the gaskets were a MUST replace till after I already started the install so GET GASKETS FIRST which are not the easiest to get mine are on order from a guy on ebay so I will see what he sends me and let everyone know who needs gaskets... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 I did this exact shift kit however I had to remove it due to transmission issues... (bad trans) I got mine on EBay... I've been considering one of these kits also. Jeepman, did your transmission issues start after you installed the kit? How did it actually affect the shifting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big66440 Posted December 30, 2014 Author Share Posted December 30, 2014 One consideration -- I assume the kit calls for removing the pan from the transmission. The dipstick/fill tube is integral with the pan. It's in two pieces, so the upper part can stay in the vehicle when you drop the pan. The problem is that the rubber O-ring at the joint is probably rock hard and you won't be able to separate the two halves. And you'll probably have to destroy the upper half to get the pan out of the truck. To be safe, buy a spare upped tube and O-ring to have available if you need them. Use Vaseline on the O-ring when reassembling. You can just unbolt the tube from the engine and pull the tube with the pan then separate once on the ground... I did this exact shift kit however I had to remove it due to transmission issues... (bad trans) I got mine on EBay... The $#!&ty part about the kit is that it doesn't include valve body gaskets so I attempted to re-use mine and it worked but they were so brittle that pieces started breaking off and I did not learn that the gaskets were a MUST replace till after I already started the install so GET GASKETS FIRST which are not the easiest to get mine are on order from a guy on ebay so I will see what he sends me and let everyone know who needs gaskets... Thank you very much for the heads up on the VB gasket, I was able to find one locally at a transmission repair shop so I'll have that handy , as far as the dip stick tube on the pan I was able to separate the 2 pieces successfully a few months ago when I did my tranny filter and replaced my coolant lines with AN hoses so I'm hoping it will not that much of a hassle this time, Jeepman ir it really difficult to do? i"ve heard it requires drilling a few holes, can I use a regular hand drill ?or is a drill press required? thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeepman Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 I did this exact shift kit however I had to remove it due to transmission issues... (bad trans) I got mine on EBay... I've been considering one of these kits also. Jeepman, did your transmission issues start after you installed the kit? How did it actually affect the shifting? Because I swapped transmissions at the same time as the engine install and shift kit I can not say if the shift kit had anything to do with the issues but I am pretty sure the trans I used turned out to just be a Bad transmission but before it died completely I could feel the firmer (MUCH FIRMER) shifts and I did the 1-2 mod which converts 1-2 to just 1... When I get the new VB gaskets I will re-install the kit come spring... One consideration -- I assume the kit calls for removing the pan from the transmission. The dipstick/fill tube is integral with the pan. It's in two pieces, so the upper part can stay in the vehicle when you drop the pan. The problem is that the rubber O-ring at the joint is probably rock hard and you won't be able to separate the two halves. And you'll probably have to destroy the upper half to get the pan out of the truck. To be safe, buy a spare upped tube and O-ring to have available if you need them. Use Vaseline on the O-ring when reassembling. You can just unbolt the tube from the engine and pull the tube with the pan then separate once on the ground... I did this exact shift kit however I had to remove it due to transmission issues... (bad trans) I got mine on EBay... The $#!&ty part about the kit is that it doesn't include valve body gaskets so I attempted to re-use mine and it worked but they were so brittle that pieces started breaking off and I did not learn that the gaskets were a MUST replace till after I already started the install so GET GASKETS FIRST which are not the easiest to get mine are on order from a guy on ebay so I will see what he sends me and let everyone know who needs gaskets... Thank you very much for the heads up on the VB gasket, I was able to find one locally at a transmission repair shop so I'll have that handy , as far as the dip stick tube on the pan I was able to separate the 2 pieces successfully a few months ago when I did my tranny filter and replaced my coolant lines with AN hoses so I'm hoping it will not that much of a hassle this time, Jeepman ir it really difficult to do? i"ve heard it requires drilling a few holes, can I use a regular hand drill ?or is a drill press required? thank you. There are 2 gaskets for the VB so get both the upper and lower... As for the difficulty, no it was rather easy once you get started and a regular cordless drill is more then enough so you do not need a drill press... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big66440 Posted December 30, 2014 Author Share Posted December 30, 2014 Cool there are 2 gaskets in the pack so that should cover it, I was just over thinking the drilling part considering how "delicate" a valve body looks thank you very much for clarifying that for me. I was shocked to find out the TransGo place is about 3 minutes from where I work/live I have driven by there hundreds of times without even knowing :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big66440 Posted January 2, 2015 Author Share Posted January 2, 2015 OK did the install yesterday and all I can say is WOW!!!! my truck feels great I was planning on going with the "Hot Rod" setting but could not remove one of the valves in the VB so I went with the "truck" setting and am not disappointed at all. 1-2 shift overlap is much more crisp not harsh at all just crisp, 2-3 and 3-4 feel just a little bit better still wouldn't consider them to be anywhere near harsh during regular street driving. At full throttle shifts are prolonged (engine revs higher) and shift overlap is also MUCH quicker. On the highway the kick down feels much more firm ( according to throttle position) and more responsive. I would recommend this to all of you guys my Comanche is so fun to drive now. Notes for anyone that is interested. 1 - Jeepman is correct, find the VB gaskets BEFORE you begin the install, I've heard they are hard to find but if you contact TransGo they can get them for you. (626)443-7451 2 - If your tranny is in your vehicle prepare to get extremely dirty and showered in ATF so wear clothes you don't mind throwing away when the job is done. 3 - Plan to take approximately a whole day ( or at least half ) to do this since it requires very close attention to detail. 4 - If you have a stock daily driver I would suggest the "truck" setting since it makes a noticeable difference, I'm guessing the "Hot Rod" setting may be a little too harsh for factory trucks. 5 - It is NOT difficult at all just very time consuming, the drilling required is on the separator plate between the upper and lower VB halves the drill bits are included and the instructions show you exactly were to drill. If any of you guys have any questions I'll gladly try to help you out as much as I can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggcnash Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 OK did the install yesterday and all I can say is WOW!!!! my truck feels great I was planning on going with the "Hot Rod" setting but could not remove one of the valves in the VB so I went with the "truck" setting and am not disappointed at all. 1-2 shift overlap is much more crisp not harsh at all just crisp, 2-3 and 3-4 feel just a little bit better still wouldn't consider them to be anywhere near harsh during regular street driving. At full throttle shifts are prolonged (engine revs higher) and shift overlap is also MUCH quicker. On the highway the kick down feels much more firm ( according to throttle position) and more responsive. I would recommend this to all of you guys my Comanche is so fun to drive now. Notes for anyone that is interested. 1 - Jeepman is correct, find the VB gaskets BEFORE you begin the install, I've heard they are hard to find but if you contact TransGo they can get them for you. (626)443-7451 2 - If your tranny is in your vehicle prepare to get extremely dirty and showered in ATF so wear clothes you don't mind throwing away when the job is done. 3 - Plan to take approximately a whole day ( or at least half ) to do this since it requires very close attention to detail. 4 - If you have a stock daily driver I would suggest the "truck" setting since it makes a noticeable difference, I'm guessing the "Hot Rod" setting may be a little too harsh for factory trucks. 5 - It is NOT difficult at all just very time consuming, the drilling required is on the separator plate between the upper and lower VB halves the drill bits are included and the instructions show you exactly were to drill. If any of you guys have any questions I'll gladly try to help you out as much as I can. That's great to here gonna add this to the list of things to do did you take any pics of the install? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big66440 Posted January 2, 2015 Author Share Posted January 2, 2015 I took some on my phone for reference, ill see if I can upload them to the forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggcnash Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 Probably would be a good idea to move it to the writeup section good info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big66440 Posted January 2, 2015 Author Share Posted January 2, 2015 The only problem I see with that is the fact that there are 4 different VB types for these transmissions and even more differences within those types, I'm no transmission expert by any means but having a write up that covers the 4 different valve bodies will be very involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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