dieselthunder00

Hi guys,

Hey I was wondering if someone could educate me on the progression of Automatic transmissions from maybe the 4 spd that is in my 2000 2500 to the present?

I've read much in forums here and elsewhere over that past few years that has left me with the impression of the "weak link" auto tranny in this whole Dodge Cummins equation, ecouraging me to look for the ever illusive HO 6 speed, manual transmission.

Has the 3rd generation transmission improved through these years or should I still be searching for the illusive one?

Thank you in advance,

dieselthunder00 (hoping to graduate to 3rd gen)

Syndicate

depending on how much power your adding a VB and TC is holding 450 HP for alot of guys.

Hounddog

If engine power not increased much the 48re has not been very troublesome.I would say its noted as being a reliable auto.

Jeff in TD

As far as changes, early in MY03, the HO could only be had with the stick, and the SO came with the 47RE. A few months later the 48RE came out and could be had with the HO.

On MY 06 I believe, they came with tow/haul and OD lockout, plus warranty approved for jacob brake.

cameroneod

In my experience so far the 48re is a piece. I haul 20-25k lbs maybe 50% of the time my truck is going down the road. Its got 97k on the odometer and the tranny is ready for the scrap yard. Its looking like Im going to need at least 1500-2000 bucks in upgrades to get it where I want to be.

roadgeneral

I don't know what you are driving, nothing in your signature, but at 20-25K you are beyond the recommended GVWR of even a Ram 3500. I would say the 97K miles are a bonus when hauking loads like this. IMO, you made a mistake when you desided to buy an automatic to do this kind work.

When you replace the transmission, go with an after-market unit that is built to handle these kinds of loads; i.e. valve-body, HD clutches, torque converter and don't forget the flex-plate. The stock flex-plate is known to spin the center right out under extreme conditions.

Just my opinion................

DrDiesel

The truck should be matched to the required use.
If you haul heavy, get the manual.
If you haul normal, the 48RE will work great. The fact that you hear bad things about the 48RE relates to (I won`t mention any name) owners using the trucks for heavy/over rated hauling. It also has a lot to do with mods that raise HP and LB/FT numbers beyond the transmissions input limits. Then going out and racing it around until something fails, blaming the trans and calling it a piece of junk. Some owners just expect it to work no matter how much they abuse and misuse it. I`ll never figure that one out. HHHMMMMMMMMMMM, let`s buy a 40K truck and drive it into the ground. Then complain because it broke.
I have had 2 automatics in a Dodge with a CTD. 1996 with 4.10`s and this 06 with 3.73`s. The 96 was rated a 160HP and 440lb/ft. It towed my boats and anything else I hooked it to. It never ever gave me any problems. I serviced it every 30K and sold the truck with 85K on it. The new owner has 250K and it`s still going.
This new 48RE has been beefed up with larger planetary`s and added pinion gears. It also has the algorithms for use with a PacBrake. The tow/Haul mode and O/D off modes work great.
If your not looking to haul severe loads and don`t beat on your equipment, then I would recommend the 48RE as a very worthy trans.
Your mileage will also be very good with the auto. I average 18 to 19 MPG.
I can get 23.4 on the freeway buy driving it with intent to conserve fuel.

J BODY

48re has proven to be a good trans. We don't see near the trans troubles come in the door we used to. The last one I swapped a complete unit for was an 04 with 414,000 miles on it.

Hairtrigger

I have 60000 miles on my 2005.
It has been to the dealer 5 times trying to remedy a shifting problem. When shifting from 1st to 2nd it seems to bobble between the gears for a few seconds.
The dealer completely rebuilt the tranny and put in a new torque convertor without helping.
Also while going up a slight grade at 75mph and pulling 2 ton trailer the convertor seems to unlock 3 or 4 times in a mile for a second or so.
I would think Dodge could do better

ASHNBAK

Not trying to jump on you, but these kinds of statements "p" me off. Given the best case, a 3500 regular cab with 4.10 gears your over weight by a minimum of 8,000 lbs. In other words, spending $2,000 to rebuild your "junk" 48RE is a GREAT DEAL because you should have spent another $10,000 to buy and F550 with a 4.88 rear end getting 9mpg for that kind of work. You owe Dodge a public thank you, not a bash!! Your $8,000 ahead, plus lower fuel cost. And let's don't even think what would have happend to that 6.0.

DrDiesel

2 tons uphill @75 MPH.....
Sounds like either your dealer is stupid, a liar or both.

morkable

I got over 50k miles on my stock 48re, all the time with a power adder on full, towing a big 5er, drag racing with it. I dont think that any other brand of tranny, except maybe a allison, would be able to handle that kind of abuse. And best thing yet was that it never let me down, it just started to shudder in OD when pulling a big hill with the 5er on behind

Kevin

cameroneod

Granted, its held up to some abuse, I'll give you that. But coming off an allison that gave me ZERO trouble (I beat the crap out of that truck), its a little hard to swallow that I have to invest several thousand dollars to bring the 48re up to where it should be.


Edit- The guys at Goerend told me basically the same things said by the posters above. lol You play, you pay.

skynyrd

well i'll tell you this my tranny shudders when i slam the pedel down but i know its cause of the horse power adders no doubt in my mind. but my tranny has taking a beating, boosted lauches, 50-200ft power brake burnouts , towing car and trailor 500 miles at 80-85 mph and is still running strong i can still run my juice on 3 and it will hold it. and as for the allison it would be doing the same thing my 48re is doing now if it was behind my motor!! i'm pretty much +200 hp and going bigger down the road getting a full billet hts tranny.