Beefy transmission for towing

Hi, I was hoping someone out there could tell me whether or not there is anything that can be done to the tranny on my 96 GC (3.3L) when I have it rebuilt that will make it hold up better under heavy use like towing. The original has 130k and seems a bit sluggish while shifting. I tow a 2200 pound boat in the summer. It already has a cooler.

Thanks, Ken.

Hi, I was hoping someone out there could tell me whether or not there is anything that can be done to the tranny on my 96 GC (3.3L) when I have it rebuilt that will make it hold up better under heavy use like towing. The original has 130k and seems a bit sluggish while shifting. I tow a 2200 pound boat in the summer. It already has a cooler.

Thanks, Ken.

Holy cow, Ken. This is a borderline transaxle to start with, but to tow over a ton with it? I'm hoping you've got the heavy-duty trailering package, that would be the only way to safely tow that much with a Caravan.

The first thing I would suggest is to have them install a shift improver kit. The only one I know of for this application is the TransGo SK® 604/606JR. That would be money very well spent. Plus you can customize the shift firmness somewhat with this kit. I'd want a very firm shift to cut down on transmission temperature when towing in the summer heat.

Second, make sure they refill the unit with ATF+4, no matter how much they moan and complain about it. Pick up the fluid yourself at a Chrysler dealer if you have to. ATF+4 is probably the single biggest improvement you can make in that transaxle, although a shift kit and a cooler are excellent choices as well.

Finally, if you are towing 2200 lbs on a regular basis in the summer, change your fluid and filter once a year or so. Chrysler says that ATF+4 is a "lifetime" fluid, but don't you believe it. I changed the +4 in my 2001 Caravan after two years and the filter was almost completely plugged. And towing is very hard on a slushbox. Don't forget, you're only changing the fluid in the pan in most cases, so it's important to change it regularly.

I'm sure the +4, cooler, shift kit, and regular fluid changes will help you get the maximum life and performance from your transaxle.

Carl

Thanks for the info Carl. Everybody here seems to be adamant about using atf+3, so what does the +4 offer? No trailer tow package, just the tranny cooler and I take it slow.
Ken.

Ken,

FWIW, you're probably around 150 - 200% of the manufacturer's maximum towing weight if you haven't got the trailering package. Possibly more.

In a nutshell, some of the advantages of ATF+4 over +3 are:

Better anti-wear properties
Improved rust/corrosion prevention
Controls oxidation -Eliminates deposits
Controls friction
Anti-foaming
Superior low temperature operation

If you know in advance that you're going to work your rebuilt transaxle like a rented mule, a fill with +4 is very cheap insurance; it will withstand higher operating temperatures without breaking down as quickly as +3. Just ask the rebuilders to use the updated (1999 and up) seals and so on.

You can read all about it here;

http://www.allpar.com/fix/trans.html

Good luck! Carl

Thanks again Carl. You say I'm exceeding the tow rating by maybe double without the tow package. I put on a high quality trans cooler and take it very easy while driving. Besides a bigger radiator and maybe beefier brakes, what does the tow package offer that would do me any good? They don't actually make a different transmission for towing do they?

Thanks, Ken.

Ken, I'm not certain of exactly what changes are made when you order a Caravan with a trailering package.

If I had to guess, I would say there are likely to be heavy-duty springs, perhaps revalved shocks and struts, a larger radiator, transmission cooler, and beefier brake components as you pointed out. Larger wheels and tires may also be specified; even a higher output alternator and heavy duty battery may be part of the trailering package.

I don't have a problem with you towing your boat. And I am sure that you drive carefully when towing. But I figure, if you own a 2200 lb boat, you might just own a house. If you own a house, you may be concerned about liability. I think it's only fair to give you a heads-up, just in case you've never considered this possiblility.

If you should ever be involved in an accident while towing that boat with a Caravan rated for 800 or 1200 pounds of trailering capacity, and there is even the slightest degree of real or percieved negligence on your part, the other guy's lawyer won't leave a scrap on your bones.

FWIW, Carl

Point well taken Carl, thanks.

No problem, Ken. Good luck on the rebuilt transaxle!

Carl

Just wanted to let you know that, according to a factory bulletin ATF+4 should not be used in '99 and older caravans, voyagers, and the town and country with the 41TE transmission. This is because of the torque converter stratigy found only in these rigs. Use ATF+4 in any other mopar. Bulletin #21-006-01
June 29th 2001

atf+4 should be fine as long as he breaks his rebuilt tranny with it my cousin has been using it in his rebuilt tranny since it was rebuilt 4 years ago with no trouble.

Rex, we're talking about a rebuilt transaxle updated to current specs.

Carl

Just my :2cents: hope I don't offend anyone. Why would you take a vehicle that has had known issues with it's transmissions for years and work it this hard? No matter what you do with shift kits, fluid changes or anything else it is still a poor design and is destined to fail under the use that you are proposing. These things brake down everyday under normal use aren't you just asking for trouble?

BTW - I'm on Caravan #2, #1 had two transmissions replaced and I did most of what has been mentioned above. #2 will never even have a hitch installed while I own it.

Rex, we're talking about a rebuilt transaxle updated to current specs.

Carl


A rebuilt tranny does not change the computer statigy of EMCC(Electronic Modulated Converter Clutch). Nothing as far as gaskets, seals, clutch plates or hard parts have change since '95 other than the solenoid pak and computer statigy. As far as I know, even the latest revisions for the early model TCMs(Transmission Control Unit) still use EMCC.

Someone could probably run Mercon 5 or some other synthetic blended ATF if they wanted. I just was letting everyone know what the factory bulletin says. :)

Ken, according to the service bulletin quoted by Rex, it might be safer to simply go with an aftermarket full-synthetic fluid.

I'd suggest either Amsoil Universal ATF or Red Line C+ ATF, either of which is marketed as fully compatible with Chrysler ATF+3 and +4.

Either of those fluids will easily outperform whatever the rebuilder was planning to put in, especially under severe conditions.

Good luck! Carl