John Wood Valve Body or Sonnax Kit...Which One? - Diesel Forum

indystroker · 11-13-2009, 08:33 PM

If a person doesn't pull very often. If any at all, would the Sonnax kit work ok to keep the tranny going, or is the John Wood valve body that good? If I pull anything, it would be a 6'x10' trailer at the most. Price wise, im leaning towards the Sonnax kit. Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks

tattoocharlie · 11-13-2009, 09:21 PM

i bought the sonnax parts myself,valves,springs,line press mod valve,about an hour of work and a nice firm shift.if you use the sonnax get the .427 line press mod valve and only use one shim on the valves.GOOD LUCK

blackout · 11-13-2009, 09:31 PM

I have a FTVB and love the way it shifts, very quick and firm, but not too firm.

indystroker · 11-13-2009, 09:56 PM

What do you mean by this? I'm unfamiliar with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tattoocharlie

if you use the sonnax get the .427 line press mod valve and only use one shim on the valves.GOOD LUCK

**MonteC** · 11-13-2009, 10:37 PM

Sonnax. Thats what i use.

**MonteC** · 11-14-2009, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indystroker

What do you mean by this? I'm unfamiliar with it.

In the accumulator body sonnax uses different accumulator valves and you can fine tune each shift for desired shift firmness with little round shims. Dont use over 3 shims, i dont even recommend using 3 shims, ive done it before.

Gave me whip lash!

And the line modulator valve is in the accumulator body as well. I cant remember what the stock ratio is, but upgrading to the .427 is a good step, even if you have a .427 stock, the sonnax one is steel. Ive seen the oem valves wear out BAD, because the oem is a steel valve with an aluminum sleeve.

indystroker · 11-14-2009, 07:25 PM

I've looked at the kits from Diesel Innovation and other places, but haven't seen anything about shims or .427 modulator valve. Its just listed as Sonnax Valve - Tricumulator Springs Kit. Where are the shims and the .427 valve obtained?

Thanks

fxdwgi · 11-15-2009, 12:12 PM

I put a JWVB in when I replaced the transmission. I have no experience with the sonnax kit and can only comment on the valve body, but I love it. Shifts are quick, firm and seems to work well with my converter and F5.

tattoocharlie · 11-18-2009, 12:13 AM

i got everything for mine at a local tranny supply shop

MikeJ60 · 11-18-2009, 01:55 PM

We do some light, but tough towing, seems like always in the mountains. John put my valve body together with a combination of Sonnax parts and parts from a Trans-go tugger kit. I have no idea which parts were Sonnax, other than some springs and a hydraulic piston/valve. I just know it works very well.

tattoocharlie · 11-18-2009, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indystroker

I've looked at the kits from Diesel Innovation and other places, but haven't seen anything about shims or .427 modulator valve. Its just listed as Sonnax Valve - Tricumulator Springs Kit. Where are the shims and the .427 valve obtained?

Thanks

ok,youll need the tricumulator spring kit,1-2 shift valve,2-3 shift valve,3-4 shift valve(shims come with valves)and the line press mod valve .427,i was told by a ford tranny guy that the .427 is what to use,there is a .500 but that seems to be too much.also the toque on the valve body is 100 inch pounds,i did say inch.

**MonteC** · 11-18-2009, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tattoocharlie

ok,youll need the tricumulator spring kit,1-2 shift valve,2-3 shift valve,3-4 shift valve(shims come with valves)and the line press mod valve .427,i was told by a ford tranny guy that the .427 is what to use,there is a .500 but that seems to be too much.also the toque on the valve body is 100 inch pounds,i did say inch.

I like to use the .500 in tow trucks or for crazy people who love extra firm shifts and plan to beat on the truck hard.

Powerstrokin400 · 11-18-2009, 08:09 PM

I'm a big John Wood advocate. I'm makin' big power, towin' big stuff, and I've broken 2 trannys in the past. I Mean BROKEN (Snapped the input shaft clean, like butter), grenaded some other stuff too. After John Wood built a trans for my specific purpose, NO PROBLEMS. And, I've got bigger tires and makin' more boost than before. Rock Solid Products. Give him a call. He'll give ya the right info. He's a former Ford Engineer. (760)356-9421 or jwtt.com. Check it out........

P.S. The trans shifts nice. Not too hard, just right!!!