extremely soft 2nd to 3rd shift

My lokar shifter cable is just under full taught at WOT, I have the throttle cable adjustments in PDF format if you'd like them. PM me.

Since your trans guy is a self proclaimed bad ***, (aren't they all?) have him set it up so you get the most out of your shift kit. It would be a safe bet to go with the big dog, the tfod-hd2, for extra insurance. On the same coin, the tfod-jr should be all you'll ever need. It fixes the factory short comings and leaves it at that. No one seems to complain about them. All can be tailored to your liking.

Here is some light reading on selection:

http://www.dodgedakotas.com/boards/gen/14060.html

http://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen-ram/266691-sonnax-or-transgo-2.html