Shift kit for 5R55E (original thread said Clutch kit)

[James Morse]

I'm think I'm getting to the end of fixes for the '97. When I get cruise buttons in, assuming they work, then the only other thing I know about is the retractable cover for the back doesn't retract easily. You can pull it out and get it to roll back up but it's dodgy, you have to fiddle with it. I think, that it was most likely never used so setting there 25 years it's just balky. This is pretty minor and I don't think I'd really use it either. I suppose it could help to hide things from prying eyes, but you can't really see in the tinted windows anyway.

So once I'm satisfied all is good as to the stock truck then it is time to think about upgrades. The 2 things I'm thinking about are the hubs (first), and I think it was mentioned I'd want to put in a clutch kit for the trans. Am I replacing stock with stock, or am I upgrading past stock, and what does it do for me? Truck shifts ok, I don't think it's as smooth as the '99 but don't know if that has anything to do w/ clutch. '97 has 60k less miles (125k vs 185k for the '99) so you'd think it'd be the other way around but 99 could have had work done who knows.
Is it hard to do? I mean, I can look in the manual, it should have instructions how-to, I'm just asking in a general sense how hard it is.
And what do I want for parts, could someone please post an example?
Thanks.

 

[superj]

A clutch is a fairly easy change. Its just unbolt and replace, than bolt back together in the same way.

The hardest part for me has always been getting the shifter in and out of the hole in the floor without tearing up the sheet metal. There is probably some pro easy way but i dont know it.

 

[00t444e]

Go with a Luk clutch for the replacement.

 

[James Morse]

OK, thanks. This is 5R55E so I shouldn't be going through the floor.... I think.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

OK, thanks. This is 5R55E so I shouldn't be going through the floor.... I think.

5r55e is an automatic, it doesn't use a clutch. It will have a torque converter.

 

[James Morse]

Ah. Then back when this was suggested to me, obviously I somehow must have not been clear about the tranny.
I'll check shop manual on the auto and see if there's anything about it I'd want to check And open to suggestions of course.

 

[Tenper616]

A clutch kit would go inside the trans as an automatic trans is driven by internal clutch packs and not gears, so you would have to remove the pump input shaft and drum, then replace all the clutch packs and reassemble, not hard to do per se however if you've never done one it can be confusing

 

[superj]

And probably easy to ruin the transmission if the pump is not seated on the splines properly, right?

 

[Tenper616]

Very much so a transmission job is best done very slowly and carfully in a very clean spot

 

[Blmpkn]

Don't mess with an auto besides fluid & filter until it starts shitting the bed. No sense in it. The exception being a shift kit. The wearable parts in an automatic (if it's been maintained) should last 250k.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Yup, clutch is only for a manual. Well, there are “clutches” and stuff in an auto, but never mind that. For an auto, I highly recommend a shift kit and one piece gasket for the valve body.