Transmission input housing forward piston sleeve

A kit for modifying a transmission input housing, the input housing having an outer portion and an inner stepped conical portion, the input housing configured to receive an input shaft at an inner surface of the inner stepped portion, the inner stepped portion having a wall thickness that decreases from a forward position inward, the input housing having an overrun piston region and a forward piston region, comprising:

• a forward piston sleeve fixedly positioned on an outer surface of the input housing inner stepped portion such that the forward piston sleeve is rotated with the input housing by the input shaft, wherein the forward piston sleeve is positioned in the forward piston region and not in the overrun piston region such that the forward piston sleeve increases the strength of the forward piston region;
• a replacement forward piston having an inner diameter configured to mate with the forward piston sleeve;
• and
• a seal positioned between the replacement forward piston and the forward piston sleeve.

A kit for modifying a transmission input housing, the input housing having an outer portion and an inner stepped conical portion, the input housing configured to receive an input shaft at an inner surface of the inner stepped portion, the inner stepped portion having a wall thickness that decreases from a forward position inward, the input housing having an overrun piston region and a forward piston region, the forward piston region having a forward piston housing, the kit comprising:

• a forward piston sleeve fixedly positioned on the outer surface of the input housing inner stepped portion such that the forward piston sleeve is rotated with the input housing by the input shaft, wherein the forward piston sleeve is positioned in the forward piston region and not in the overrun piston region such that the forward piston sleeve increases the strength of the forward piston region;
• a replacement forward piston having an inner diameter configured to mate with the forward piston sleeve;
• and
• a seal positioned between the forward piston and the forward piston sleeve.

A method for increasing the strength of a transmission input housing, the input housing having an outer portion and an inner stepped conical portion, the input housing configured to receive an input shaft at an inner surface of the inner stepped portion, the inner stepped portion having a wall thickness that decreases from a forward position inward, the input housing having an overrun piston region and a forward piston region, comprising:

• removing a forward piston from the input housing;
• installing a forward piston sleeve on the outer surface of the input housing inner stepped portion in the forward piston region such that the forward piston sleeve is rotated with the input housing by the input shaft and such that the forward piston sleeve increases the strength of the input housing inner stepped portion;
• installing a replacement forward piston on the forward piston sleeve, the replacement forward piston having a larger inner diameter than an inner diameter of the forward piston removed from the input housing so as to accommodate the forward piston sleeve radially between the replacement forward piston and the input housing inner stepped position;
• and
• installing a seal between the replacement forward piston and the forward piston sleeve.