Tranny and suspension question- help please...
 

I need a little help on some upgrades.
I've got a 98.5 2500 Cummins 24v 2 wheel drive.

First question...
I'm wanting to do some mods to the tranny like a valve body and band tightening since I recently purchased the truck and not sure how it was treated before I purchased.
In looking for tranny parts and upgrades, is there a way to determine what model transmission I have without climbing under the truck and looking up numbers?
Also other than adding a valve body, replacing the fluid and filter and adjusting the bands are there any other recommendations for strengthening up my tranny?
It is very intermittent but rarely i notice the some transmission lag upon starting and giving it throttle. It will take a second before actually engaging the transmission. I have only noticed this problem like 4 times since I bought the truck a few months ago. But again it was within 15 minutes of starting up.

Second question...
My truck is 2 wheel drive extra cab and I have put a wider rim on it with same size 265/75r16 tires. With the new wheels and tires I now have some scrubbing on turns. Likely caused by a wider wheel than stock.
I have been looking for a leveling kit to give a little mnore clearance up front but most leveling kits specify for 4 wheel drive or not for diesel engines.
Any suggestions or advice???

Thanks in advance for the help-
JMac

Pro comp makes a 1.5 and a 2.5 inch leveling kit and you will need shocks. And you will have a 47re in that truck for a tranny. I would look into an aftermarket TC.

What do you plan on doing with the truck and what are you planning on adding for power adders?

At minimum I would say A Good Torque Converter and an aftermarket Valve Body or Shift kit will go a long ways. It will be much more fun to drive.

The lag could be the filter is dirty and needs changed.

The tires rubbing might be because the different rims have a different back spacing.

I'm getting ready to change my trans. filter, how hard is it to check the bands while I have the pan off? '99 Dodge 3500, has the 3 speed tranny with elec. overdrive

how many miles on the trans? You may be better off waiting and just building the trans if it's starting to slip. Just put some cash away and you will be better off in long run.

My truck only has about 106,000 miles on it, but I like to do any preventative maint. I can as I go and thought maybe a little band tweek may be called for at around the 100,000 mile mark. Yes, no?

I was talking to the original poster. But yes preventative maintenance is always good. Sometimes the bandaid fixes people do just waste money because you end up having to have a new converter gone through because your trans made a mess when it blew etc.

The front band is adjustable externally. The rear band you have to pull the pan. Once I get home I can look at my service manual and get you the specs.