TransGo Shift Kit

Based on TransGo's huge long experience in modifying transmissions, we chose their TFOD-518-500-618 Performance Shift Kit for Project YJ. The kit fits a wide range of Chrysler transmissions: 1966-1996 Chrysler Torqueflite and Loadflite rear-drive and 4-wheel drive transmissions, 3-speeds and 1988-2000 4-speeds, including in-line 6-cyl, V6, V8, V10 & diesel; models 904, 998, 999, TC6, TF6, TF8, 727, 32RH, 500 and 518 42-44-45-46-47RH & RE. Whew! The kit provides the following features:

• Short, firm shifts.
• Transmission durability.
• Holds 1st, 2nd and 3rd to any RPM.
• Back shifts to any gear you want.

For our purposes (durability and good street manners), we opted for improving the shifts and skipped the mods that would provide manual shifting.

Although the TransGo kit only requires you to open remove the fluid pan and remove the valve body, it also provided some high temperature, low-wear rings in case you were overhauling the transmission anyway. And of course, since we were overhauling the transmission, we installed the rings for the forward drum and pump.

All the other TransGo parts related to the valve body or the accumulator piston, both of which can be easily accessed without removing or dismantling the transmission. In fact, the TransGo kit can be installed by any competent home mechanic with basic hand tools. Installation of the kit involved replacing existing valves and springs with the appropriate TransGo parts; adding spacers; filing; and drilling (using supplied drill bits). The installations were extremely clear and led us step-by-step through the process. Almost every step gave you a choice between performance levels and described their applications. The text was well-written in plain English.

Once we had the transmission's gears and hubs re-assembled, we turned our attention toward the valve body.	This maze of tunnels is basically a kind of hydraulic computer that controls your transmission's shifting.	Wayne marked each channel that contained a ball valve prior to removing the ball, just in case he forgets during re-assembly.
As usual, Wayne thoroughly cleaned the parts before beginning work.	The stock manual valve is on top, the TransGo on the bottom.	Installing the new valve.
We notched the valve body using this large file, according to instructions.	For our set-up, we only had to drill a single hole in the separator plate.	Wayne noticed that the shifting arm was loose on the pivot shaft so he staked it in place.
Basically, he used a punch and hammered around the shaft. This caused the metal to expand and tighten onto the shaft.	All the valves, springs and balls are in place.	Now we put the valve body back together.
Valve body installed in the tranny. As you can see, it can also be accessed without removing or dis-assembling the transmission. Just remove the fluid pan and filter.	The crowning touch, a new filter! Now it's time to put the transmission back into the Jeep and go for a test drive.