Question: Can you hurt a built transmission with a 5th to 4th downshift?

9mmkungfu

Member
Aug 29, 2011
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Northern Virginia
Previously, on my stock transmission (5-speed Allison), you could easily get it to limp with the 5 to 4 downshift.

I've since had it built up and I'm curious to know whether I need to worry about a WOT 5 to 4 downshift now.

Also, thanks for the recommendation Bustedknuckles! I picked up the truck yesterday and the truck is running great.
 

05smoker

I'm officially done!
Mar 30, 2007
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Lebanon, OH
It limps more so locked in 5th, not on the downshift.

You should be ok but it depends on your power level, other mods, who built it and who tuned it.
 

Bustedknuckles

Honey Badger
Sep 25, 2010
1,308
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Hagerstown MD
Previously, on my stock transmission (5-speed Allison), you could easily get it to limp with the 5 to 4 downshift.

I've since had it built up and I'm curious to know whether I need to worry about a WOT 5 to 4 downshift now.

Also, thanks for the recommendation Bustedknuckles! I picked up the truck yesterday and the truck is running great.

Your welcome! Curtis does awesome work and is more than fair on pricing! What did he charge you if you don't mind?
 

9mmkungfu

Member
Aug 29, 2011
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Northern Virginia
Your welcome! Curtis does awesome work and is more than fair on pricing! What did he charge you if you don't mind?

He is awesome, I agree. I don't have the paper in front of me, but it was very reasonable. The total was $1523 I believe. That included $209 worth of TranSynd, every old seal replaced, R&R of the transmission, rebuild, down pipe swap, and a transfer case fluid change.
 

JoshH

Daggum farm truck
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Feb 14, 2007
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What all did you get for $1523? That's barely enough to buy a good converter.
 

Dirtymaxx03

Active member
Aug 4, 2009
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If the total on your whole trans build was $1500, then yes, it's going to limp still haha
 

x MadMAX DIESEL

<<<< No Horsepower
Dec 30, 2008
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Lexington, Ky
You should be ok but it depends on who built it and who tuned it.

This always rubbed me the wrong way. "Who built it" its more "how it was built" even the big boys f stuff up, ask me how I know! But I agree 1500 doesn't sound like much of a trans with any strength to it.
 

9mmkungfu

Member
Aug 29, 2011
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Northern Virginia
I supplied a PPE Stage V kit. I understand some of you are doubting the builder. Let's just give him the benefit of the doubt shall we? He's had quite a bit of experience building these.
 

mike diesel

I'm alright.
Sep 6, 2012
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People seem to think there are only about 3 people in the world who can build an allison. I got all sorts of grief when i built my own.
 

dman777

New member
Apr 11, 2012
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People seem to think there are only about 3 people in the world who can build an allison. I got all sorts of grief when i built my own.
I think a lot of people are finally starting to realize they don't have to get their trans built by a select few.
 

Jakemax04

New member
Jun 28, 2013
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People seem to think there are only about 3 people in the world who can build an allison. I got all sorts of grief when i built my own.

Well stated, I built my own and it's still shifts perfect. I was afraid before I built it, now I know it's a piece of cake
 

9mmkungfu

Member
Aug 29, 2011
158
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Northern Virginia
I did follow Mike L's recommendation with a higher mileage transmission and replaced all Torrington bearings and replaced all bushings, which are items not included in the usual trans upgrade kits.

The builder also replaced a ton of seals that are not included in the popular kits as well.
 

Mike L.

Got Sheep?
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Aug 12, 2006
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Building a trans properly consists of a lot more than throwing a set of clutches in and calling it good. You guys buy a clutch kit and install it and claim the clearance is perfect yet I rarely find my clearances perfect and almost always have to use selective steels or pistons or frictions to attain the proper setup. How many of you guys have bore tested the sealing rings and checked the end gap? The plastic rings wear out and cause clutches to wear prematurely. Even a lot of new rings are cut wrong.