Before I start, the automatic transmission in question isn't your average 1.2L Hondamatic slushbox. The transmission of choice is a 4L80E, which is basically a TH400 GM trans with an OD. It was built by Carl Rossler at Rossler Transmissions Inc in Ohio. It's his biggest, baddest spec model, Terminator 4 (1-4 in the series) and was made to shift fast & firm each and every time. The T56 6-Speed was a blast to drive, however like many manual performance vehicles, the Ram SRT/10 was no different in that the manual trans was holding back the truck's performance. Regardless of who's swapping cos, manual transmissions with big power have their limits in shift time, reliability & consistency. Friends and other drivers I have spoken to agree or at least see where I'm coming from. Unless you've driven manual vehicles with 600+ hp, you probably won't understand that having an auto is just as good if not better for all out speed & driveability.

While I didn't build the Batram as a drag racing truck, it IS my 100% street brawler so I wanted peace of mind having the truck perform each and every time at it's best. Remove human error and add in quicker shifts and it's a winning combo. The whole idea is unique. Ram SRT/10 fans were basically "forced" into buying a particular transmission/truck style when purchasing their SRT/10. The Quad Cabs were all automatic and the Regular Cabs were all manuals. If you liked the look of a Regular Cab but wanted an auto, tough; likewise for the Quad Cab. Dodge did make 3 Regular Cab automatic trucks as Pacetrucks for NASCAR but unfortunately, they were destroyed after being used. There are 2 others that I know of who have made this mod. No one has been able to document it properly as there are many Regular Cab owners wanting to do the same mod, so I have tried my best to offer some kind of reference in the photos below.

Driving a Regular Cab auto is a BLAST. Regular Cab manuals have a hard time with traction, wheel hop, bogging and breakage. The Auto removes all of these issues except traction, albeit a lot easier to manage in an auto. Not only is performance improved in a straight-line, you get the cool fact of slamming it in [D] and hitting the road and cruising; perfect for the Batram as it should have an "AUTO MODE". Whilst I lose daily driving and twisting road fun, I gain that back and then some with the new straight-line performance and cruise factor. It's a truck after all, not a Viper! Another factor is Regular Cabs are struggling to hit low 12s in the 1/4 due to their bad traction and hard to launch characteristics, while the heavier, automatic Quad Cab is the current 1/4 mile record holder. Many of those trucks with the same mods are pushing better times. Weight = rear wheel traction + the auto makes a good combo. A Regular Cab auto with good suspension is definitely a lethal weapon.

I'm controlling the transmission with a Compushift Control Module. This is an on board display unit that allows me to control all the transmission functions from inside the cab. These include: trans pressure, shift points, shift firmness, torque converter lockup and much more. It also displays important info like rpms, speed, trans temp, throttle %, current gear & voltage. A very clever system that controls the 4L80E's electronics perfectly. The Batram also has some Mercedes AMG paddle shifters and in "full manual mode" which is exactly like a full manual valve body. If you don't shift, it won't shift and it will hit the rev limiter. Just like a MVB, you can also take off in any gear you choose at the flip of a paddle or using the ratchet floor shifter, a very exciting set up, the best of all worlds; performance, fun, control, technology and cruising.