Allison build

USMC_53

Member
Jan 2, 2016
55
0
6
Eastern North Carolina
Well I'm building a 5spd trans and would like to hear if anyone else has any special inputs about doing it them Selves or any special tools needed or made. And if I should go ahead and do some extra things other than the suncoast kit and a converter? Thanks
 

Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
Staff member
Oct 21, 2009
21,661
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113
Phoenix Az
Your going to get more people asking just how much you know and understand the Allison over tips/tricks on building it.
 

USMC_53

Member
Jan 2, 2016
55
0
6
Eastern North Carolina
Well I've got a spare core one laying around and plan on taking it apart just to see the inside of these beasts and have rebuilt other smaller at trans before! But I'm pretty comfortable and confident about stuff like this done my own head gaskets on the old dmax and injectors on the one I have it's all the same to me :woott:
 

blue09dmaxx

Too broke for this shit
Jan 15, 2012
823
0
0
The south
Well I've got a spare core one laying around and plan on taking it apart just to see the inside of these beasts and have rebuilt other smaller at trans before! But I'm pretty comfortable and confident about stuff like this done my own head gaskets on the old dmax and injectors on the one I have it's all the same to me :woott:

Go see Dustin at DA
 

Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
Staff member
Oct 21, 2009
21,661
5,808
113
Phoenix Az
Well head gaskets and injectors are a long ways away from properly setting up the trans and making it work without tearing its self apart. The attrition rate of people putting clutch kits in their trans and the trans dying is extremely high.

Then there is the fact you most likely won't know what was done incorrectly to keep the trans from dying again and we can't always fix it over text.
 

THEFERMANATOR

LEGALLY INSANE
Feb 16, 2009
3,890
43
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44
ZEPHYRHILLS, FL
I would get the Allison factory manual, the pressure spring tool from suncoast and last but not least, make sure you get one of these!

http://www.adaptacase.com/t-44587.html



And get your kit from Evan...
I had a block of wood I cut that laid in across the pto slots. Also build a fixture to hold the trans on an engine stand. It's 330lbs, and has to be rotated a few times during disassembly/assembly, not to mention holding it while getting the converter to finally drop in.
 

six5creed

Member
Jan 6, 2016
1,046
58
48
N.C.
Well I've got a spare core one laying around and plan on taking it apart just to see the inside of these beasts and have rebuilt other smaller at trans before! But I'm pretty comfortable and confident about stuff like this done my own head gaskets on the old dmax and injectors on the one I have it's all the same to me :woott:

You wouldn't let your dentist do brain surgery on you would you? No way I'd even think about tearing apart an Allison and trying to put it back together....right. I always tell people I'll work on anything except for air conditioners & automatic transmissions.
 

Evan@InglewoodTrans

yerp
Vendor/Sponsor
Aug 5, 2010
3,118
65
48
40
Western MA
This. Only this.

Why? I've had countless people who have never built one do just fine with a helping hand. Just because some people aren't comfortable building their own transmission doesn't mean that's how everyone feels. There are a lot of horror stories but they are generally from people who didn't go into it prepared. Before any of my customers even start the process I make sure they are.
 

Dozerboy

Well-known member
Jun 23, 2009
4,892
470
83
TX of course
There is tons of basic info on build the trans on Diesel Place and maybe here to. Look for old post on DP. Like pre 2009 that's when a lot of of guys where still learning the basics.

You getting the feed back you are because we get people on here all the time that think they can build one. It's getting a little old to help out guys that screw them up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

PureHybrid

Isuzu Shakes IT
Feb 15, 2012
3,492
472
83
Central OH
You wouldn't let your dentist do brain surgery on you would you? No way I'd even think about tearing apart an Allison and trying to put it back together....right. I always tell people I'll work on anything except for air conditioners & automatic transmissions.

But the difference is your doctor shouldn't say "oops".

And I'm with Evan, some people are confident exploring the unknown. Say you don't like AC? That's gravy work man.

One of these days I'll post some pictures from my previous trans rebuild when I tore it down for the 4x4 swap.
 

TheBac

Why do I keep doing this?
Staff member
Apr 19, 2008
15,610
1,865
113
Mid Michigan
Why? I've had countless people who have never built one do just fine with a helping hand. Just because some people aren't comfortable building their own transmission doesn't mean that's how everyone feels. There are a lot of horror stories but they are generally from people who didn't go into it prepared. Before any of my customers even start the process I make sure they are.

If it were someone who had a decent amount of experience with these drivetrains, then Id say go ahead and try.
But someone who is new to this? Lets just say I hope you have your cell phone battery charged up. ;)
 

Ne-max

I like turtles
Nov 15, 2011
3,361
64
48
Lincoln, Ne
There is only one way to learn.

I built my first trans myself using a basic gmax kit and suncoast converter. I bought a asgm manual and a trans time manual. Studied them for a week. That's trans build went well and lasted over a year at around 600hp and 50 track launches. Once I built my motor it did not last long. Thinking I did something wrong cause so many people run these kits with 0 issues and being at the 900hp level. At that point I called Evan to have him build my trans. After talking with him over the phone he made it clear that I need to learn if I am going to need to learn to do it myself. He offered his customer service if I bought my parts through him.
After getting my Trans tore apart and numerous pictures sent we determined I got a bad set of alto waffle clutches from suncoast. Witch was a relief to know what happened. Anyways long story short I got evans kit(a lot of parts that suncoast kit don't come with that I learned are important). Assembled it with his specs. It has not skipped a beat since. Has over 100 passes in the 900hp range.
I feel comfortable now to build Allison's for my customers. I have started buying Evans kits and have had great luck. He has awesome customer service and is in it to help.
As to the OP. Things I suggest. Multiple tables set up to lay out parts in order. Keep a close eye on bearing as they come out on witch side goes up. Take your time. Make a pressure gauge set up.
This forum is to help learn. I love the pride of my trans and engine being built with my 2 hands in my shop. :thumb:
 

Evan@InglewoodTrans

yerp
Vendor/Sponsor
Aug 5, 2010
3,118
65
48
40
Western MA
If it were someone who had a decent amount of experience with these drivetrains, then Id say go ahead and try.
But someone who is new to this? Lets just say I hope you have your cell phone battery charged up. ;)

Always charged and ready to help Tom that's what my customers get when they spend money with me ;) :thumb:
 

Blackmax123

Member
Aug 2, 2014
683
1
18
central Pennsylvania
I will also recommend Evan..I did my tranny the first time myself 3 1/2 years ago. With a suncoast kit, 1056 converter and Mike L pump spring. This summer I had it back apart when I swapped converters and Evan helped me fix a c1 clearance issue and a few other things.. his service is top notch.

The best advice I can give is keep everything super clean, and double and triple check your self and take your time.

I bought a cheap harbor freight engine stand and modified the motor plate to bolt on in place of my pto cover and it works great..
 

six5creed

Member
Jan 6, 2016
1,046
58
48
N.C.
But the difference is your doctor shouldn't say "oops".

And I'm with Evan, some people are confident exploring the unknown. Say you don't like AC? That's gravy work man.

One of these days I'll post some pictures from my previous trans rebuild when I tore it down for the 4x4 swap.

I hope none of my doctors ever says "oops" the bad thing is medical malpractice is the #3 killer in the U.S. behind heart disease and cancer.

God has blessed me with many talents in many areas & A/C may be gravy work to some but I've never been taught it or wanted to learn it, same way with automatic transmissions. There is to much going on in an Allison for me to attempt to redo one then put it back in only to take it back out again and try to figure out what I did wrong then pay someone to fix it, I'd rather just pay someone who knows what they're doing the first time and save me the trouble. To each their own.