Has anyone in the community tried any "Shift Kits"?
So I meant to post about this a while back but it was one of those things I just forgot about.
I've seen that there are some "shift kits" for our A340's and was curious if any users here have ever personally used them. I'm interested in the idea of the ones that speed up shifts since I presume this would A, feel awesome, and B perhaps reduce wear from slipping. I've seen ones like the Trans go and a few others.
Anyone have history with any of these? Are they good, bad, meh, snake oil, etc.
So I meant to post about this a while back but it was one of those things I just forgot about.
I've seen that there are some "shift kits" for our A340's and was curious if any users here have ever personally used them. I'm interested in the idea of the ones that speed up shifts since I presume this would A, feel awesome, and B perhaps reduce wear from slipping. I've seen ones like the Trans go and a few others.
Anyone have history with any of these? Are they good, bad, meh, snake oil, etc.
Yes, I have the TransGo HD kit on the truck shift settings. It pairs well with full synthetic fluid, on conventional fluid the shifts are a bit jarring. I did it for a specific purpose for a specific goal for my 4Runner. I doubt the longevity benefits are all that great and I did also have one of the springs in the shift kits break but thankfully didn't find its way out of the accumulator piston. My transmission failed anyway but it wasn't because of too much heat at least.
The install is not for the faint of heart. You'll be making some irreversible changes that cannot be undone except by replacing the valve body. Getting a 2nd valve body and installing the kit on that one would be what I'd do if I did it again. In fact, I did have a second valve body but it was from and 02 so it wasn't compatible but I did lose a check ball so I stole one from the 02 and it saved me from a real headache.
One of my buddies is running a TransGo shift kit from Ebay. We did all the work ourselves and it 100% made a difference. It slips less and shifts faster as well. If you're brave enough to dive in to your trans and drill some irreversible holes then I say go for it!
Well look at that, I did search a while back but I don't really remember seeing anything, I must have been searching the wrong terms or something.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gamefreakgc
Yes, I have the TransGo HD kit on the truck shift settings. It pairs well with full synthetic fluid, on conventional fluid the shifts are a bit jarring. I did it for a specific purpose for a specific goal for my 4Runner. I doubt the longevity benefits are all that great and I did also have one of the springs in the shift kits break but thankfully didn't find its way out of the accumulator piston. My transmission failed anyway but it wasn't because of too much heat at least.
The install is not for the faint of heart. You'll be making some irreversible changes that cannot be undone except by replacing the valve body. Getting a 2nd valve body and installing the kit on that one would be what I'd do if I did it again. In fact, I did have a second valve body but it was from and 02 so it wasn't compatible but I did lose a check ball so I stole one from the 02 and it saved me from a real headache.
That difference with the fluid type is interesting. Honestly I've never been a fan of using newer, synthetic, thinner, fluids in older transmissions because I had the mindset of it was designed for something thick, not thin. Etc.
When you say jarring, do you mean harsh or just very firm?
Quote:
Originally Posted by 19963.4lsr5
Does your trans have a cable going to it? If so is it adjusted properly.
That cable controls line pressure and the more pressure the firmer the shifts.
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You know I fiddled with the cable a little bit, but I've obviously been wondering if after 23 years the cable has stretched out because if I set it to what the book says, it definitely doesn't feel right. But at the same time, I'm a bit too afraid to set it much tighter than I have it now. Could anything be damaged if it's too tight, too much pressure?
Quote:
Originally Posted by KPOffroad
One of my buddies is running a TransGo shift kit from Ebay. We did all the work ourselves and it 100% made a difference. It slips less and shifts faster as well. If you're brave enough to dive in to your trans and drill some irreversible holes then I say go for it!
I will say that I will definitely be using a local guy that I trust for this as transmission is definitely not my forte... Lol!
I didn't want to quote reply to absolutely everything because otherwise this single post would be super long but I do appreciate everybody's feedback. Definitely helps
That difference with the fluid type is interesting. Honestly I've never been a fan of using newer, synthetic, thinner, fluids in older transmissions because I had the mindset of it was designed for something thick, not thin. Etc.
When you say jarring, do you mean harsh or just very firm?
It would be so sharp of a shift when cold from 1st to 2nd that it made the whole dash jolt and everyone in the 4Runner would feel it. It was harsh. Once I put synthetic in it is as smooth as before I did the valve body kit. I highly recommend switching fluid types if you do.
It would be so sharp of a shift when cold from 1st to 2nd that it made the whole dash jolt and everyone in the 4Runner would feel it. It was harsh. Once I put synthetic in it is as smooth as before I did the valve body kit. I highly recommend switching fluid types if you do.
Wow yeah that sounds like it's too harsh. Thanks for the info. You said you used the "truck" setting right?
Yes. I have never met someone who installed the "race" setting and enjoyed it.
I've been in a different vehicle with a 'race' built auto trans (manual shifting, etc.) and it was not something I would do on the street. And not in 4LO while offroad either!
-Charlie
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