Automatic Transmission Lock Up Kit/valve body upgrade

[AJC]

I had my Lock-up kit fitted yesterday by a Auto Sparky.

The instructions are very good including colour pictures. The instructions show the computer on the drivers side next to the steering column. This must be an NT placement because the auto sparky said my computer is on the passenger side for my NS. For someone who is confident enough to cut a main transmission computer wire and splice into it could do the install themselves. I wasn't!

The triptronic works as per usual with gear changes at the same shift points.
The actual gear changes are a little firmer than normal but are a very positive change. A little like when you don't quite match the revs properly on a manual car and the clutch grabs. With the lockup on and foot off the accelerator instead of the revs dropping back down to almost idle it will stay at the revs you were at when accelerating. It gives me the sensation as if my car was a manual.

Time will tell if fuel economy is helped when I start towing the Camper.

Will be interested in your updates.

[Onslow]

I had my Lock-up kit fitted yesterday by a Auto Sparky.

The instructions are very good including colour pictures. The instructions show the computer on the drivers side next to the steering column. This must be an NT placement because the auto sparky said my computer is on the passenger side for my NS. For someone who is confident enough to cut a main transmission computer wire and splice into it could do the install themselves. I wasn't!

The triptronic works as per usual with gear changes at the same shift points.
The actual gear changes are a little firmer than normal but are a very positive change. A little like when you don't quite match the revs properly on a manual car and the clutch grabs. With the lockup on and foot off the accelerator instead of the revs dropping back down to almost idle it will stay at the revs you were at when accelerating. It gives me the sensation as if my car was a manual.

Time will tell if fuel economy is helped when I start towing the Camper.

Hey Wrex, who did you organise to fit this in Perth? My computer is on the passenger side also - must be an NP thing.

[Wrex]

Onslow

After speaking to Wholesale Auto transmissions they suggest it is purley an Auto sparky job. Deering's up my way (Clarkson) did it with a few other tidy up jobs $150.

[Onslow]

Onslow

After speaking to Wholesale Auto transmissions they suggest it is purley an Auto sparky job. Deering's up my way (Clarkson) did it with a few other tidy up jobs $150.

Thanks mate, will find my way up there soon.

[geoff&vi]

Onslow

After speaking to Wholesale Auto transmissions they suggest it is purley an Auto sparky job. Deering's up my way (Clarkson) did it with a few other tidy up jobs $150.

I did the job with my a mate who is a sparky, but after seeing what was done, I could have done the job myself. Cut 2 wires and splice 4 into the 2, connecting to power and find somewhere to mount relays and resistor.

Cheers
Geoff

[Pickle]

Latest news

Hi it?s Rodney here from Wholesale Automatics,



Thank you for contacting Australia?s Largest 4 Wheel Drive Automatic Transmission Company.



Yes we have a Heavy Duty ?Nomad? Valve body Assembly and other options available for the MK-MN Triton 4 Speed V4A51 Transmission or Pajero MY2000 on . Please remember to look at both the web links below and the attachments above.



Options:

1/ The cost of our Heavy Duty ?Nomad? V4A51 4 Speed Valve Body is $895 inc gst "Change Over"

http://www.youtube.com/wholesaleautomatics#p/u/2/EsHNwG4Lk8g

2/ Complete Temp Gauge Kit $265 inc gst

http://www.automatictransmission.com.au/release.asp?NewsId=12031

3/ Lock-Up Manual Control Kit $345 inc gst

http://www.automatictransmission.com.au/release.asp?NewsId=42065

Aust Wide Freight via TNT Air Express at 9Kg?s is $65 inc gst (Insured).



There is a Fully Refundable Deposit of $450 inc gst until we receive your old valve body back here at Wholesale Automatics at your own cost by any means of Freight.



You can pay either by Direct Bank Transfer or Credit Card. Direct Bank Transfer details are listed below ?or? If using credit card please fax or E-mail me a photo copy of your driver's license and credit card. Please sign and date the photo copy and hand write the credit card numbers as they don't always come through properly.



Banking Details:

Commonwealth Bank Of Australia

BSB Number: 063199

Account Number: 10007337

Account Name: Wholesale Automatic Transmissions



Your order would leave Wholesale Automatics within 2-4 days of payment being received.



Hope this helps

Kind Regards

Rodney

Wholesale Automatic Transmissions

Factory 1/58 Barry St

Bayswater

Victoria

Australia 3153

Phone: 03-97628004

Fax: 03-97628108

https://www.automatictransmission.com.au

[Pete]

I am curious about the lockup kit. Is it essentially a relay and a switch?

How does it give you better fuel economy? Reducing the revs required to maintain a certain speed?

How anyone installed one and actually gotton better fuel econ?

[pauld]

http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=21156&highlight=record&page=2

The converter in the Pajeros is too sensitive for highway use, made worse if you get taller tyres or are towing.
When unlocked unnecessarily it's burning energy in the form of heat in the gearbox and therefore wasting fuel.
You can get them on EBay, I have used both brands (one on mine and other on friends car, both work well).
Previously I could barely get the torque converter to lock when towing our camper on the highway, now I can force it and easily hold 5th on all but big hills funny thing is locked it puts it back into the best torque range where it should be.

[pauld]

This was all experienced with a diesel, might be different performance with petrol engine

[Wrex]

I have had the lock up kit for a couple of months now but haven't towed my camper yet.

Last week I towed an 8x5 tandem axle trailer with 2 dirtbikes approx 200km from Perth up through the hills east of perth. Dirtbikes are 240kgs loaded with fuel, trailer with cage is neaarly 300kg.

I tried to use the lock up kit (LUK)as much as i could at cruising speed both with cruise and without. Well I have a new car.

At 110kph with the same load 80% of the way the TC would be unlocked and revs would be 2500rpm, with the LUK activated revs were at 2000rpm. With cruise activated up big hills it would start to struggle (like a manual vehicle) then would automatically change down to fourth and return once over the hill.
Engine braking is awesome now no need for the brakes at all just a flick of the gear lever down to fourth and it would hold it no worries.

Normally on the flat there is some surging when the tC locks and unlocks constantly well no more it is very smooth and with the reduction of 500rpm the buzziness and cab noise is less. Having the engine permanantly attached to the rear diff is a pleasure to drive knowing when the power is on or off. No more waiting for the delay in the TC unlocking and then locking then unlocking again.

On the Wholesale Automatic Transmission website Rodney talks about using it on gravel roads. I was not sure how it would be of benifit. As you are driving along the gravel road with it's corrugations is creating drag so you have the feed a little more power than on a bitumen road. This sees the TC constantly unlocking. When it does unlock again there is a moment where the engine is not directly powering the rear wheels and essentially you are freewheeling. Manual drivers do not get this sensation neither did i when the LUK was activated.

As far as fuel economy goes I don't know and really don't care. The changes in driveability is enough of a benifit for me. Seeing as how the revs do drop by 500rpm i would be expecting a slight decrease in fuel useage.

[Onslow]

I've also had mine fitted recently and got to play over Easter on a drive through South West WA. I wasn't towing anything but was fully laden. The difference was substantial on the open road at cruising speeds. Between 90kph and 110kph the revs dropped around 200-300rpm at the flick of the switch and the hunting between locked and non-locked at the smallest incline was now gone. I did quite a bit of off-road work so didn't get a chance to check the highway fuel consumption figures - will do that next time. Money well spent so far though!

[cansray]

I had my trans upgraded with Wholesale Automatics.
Valve body, Lock up kit, Heavy Duty Torque Converter, Trans temp gauge, & full synthetic oil conversion.
Paj feels like a lot more sporty. Very positive & smooth gear changes.
My temp gauge is usually 60 degrees around town, & just a little higher on country running.
Looking forward to using the lock up when we go away with the caravan. It will be beneficial on long flat sections & down hill, when good engine breaking is needed.
Have had the NP since new (Feb 2005), & have decided to keep it for a few more years as it's been such a great vehicle.
Ray

[Pete]

I am half keen on the lockup kit...anyone done it in the NM without doing a TC upgrade? Any knowledge on costs fort eh TC upgrade?

[4ePikanini]

can someone PM me the install instruction booklet pls?

[Rexy]

I have a 3.5l Petrol NM and am looking at this as a means of increasing my engine braking in low range downhill ( Vic high country ).

How would reduction gears compare instead of the TC Lock up?

I realise that both would be great but thats a lotta do$h.

For me the added advantage that super low range would give on the ups and lumpy stuff seem to make it a more attractive option.



Matt