Auto tranny dying?

[Eric_77]

Okay here are symptoms truck is 96 in sign. but with 224k on it now.

When COLD truck does not like to shift back and forth between 1-2 or go into 1st to begin with just sits in no man's land no slip no noise like neutral. When it finally drops into gear there is no slip smell sound just effortless acceleration. This is true until tranny gets to about 75-80F then everything runs fine.

Some history I have only had gauges since about 160K; tranny will get WARM without a load ~180 in stop and go traffic but at speed locked 3 or 4th stays <125F but with a load it gets HOT like ++250 at speeds less than 40 (2nd gear) whether stop and go or side street pace but once into locked 3-4 temp drops quickly to 125 or less. This is sort of irrevleant of outside temps as it hit 180 last week in 40 degree ambient unloaded. I have religously changed tranny fluid every 25K miles.

Now if I need to replace the tranny I want to go the whole kit and kaboodle route no rebuilt all new parts new Dodge seems to be about 4k reman about 3k. The DTT tranny sounds interesting and have heard very good things about them but I have had good luck pulling huge loads with stock unit and DunRite TC. So I have to ask is it better for me to go with stock new unit and have the upgrade done or rebuild/exchange this one.