The 48re is an incredible trans imo. Had one in my 05', in a year and a half, I put 65,000 miles on it. Went throught 2 sets of 35's and the stockers(alot of towing, burnouts, plowing, tuggin.) I put that trans through hell and it never let me down. Did back to back tugs in 4lo on pavement w/ hot juice on 5. Many times i'd plow 12-15 hours straight with trans @250* the whole time. It was a stock trans too, just changed the fluid once(cause it looked like engine oil) I got rid of the truck because i prefer stick, and I needed a 4door dually. Any year common rail truck is a good truck from my experience, have a 305, had a 325, and have a 350.

 

Why don't you read, what the first or second line below that says

 

It does not say anything about you ever owning a truck with a 48RE tranny.

My point is, you statement about the big three automatic transmissions was subjective, and not based on any facts or even your own personal experience.

I have one, and so far it's holding up nicely. In fact, there are very few complaints on this board or elsewhere having to do with the 48RE's longevity or reliability, and I'm sure you know if someone was going to complain, you would see it here.

 

I will say again, I have owned all 3 trucks. I am glad your tranny has held up, great for you. Still does not change my opinion on it (and a few others I might add) that it is the weakest of teh bunch. And your statement is just that, an opinion, as you have NO clue what my personal experience is with anything, much less with my truck or any truck that I have owned for that matter. So, you keep throwing your opinions out there, and I will keep throwing mine. I never said take my word as Gospel. This is a public forum (didn't we have this discussion already) and I am free to voice my opinion, as I have chosen to do so. DId my opinion hurt your feelings that much about the tranny that you felt the need to start a war with me? Or is it, that you are trying to pull me into another debate to get attention of other's? So, in case you missed my opinion, the 48re is the weakest of teh 3.

 

Lets not rock the boat fellas...

 

Agreed. Opinion and conjecture.

 

Good information so far guys.

Whichever truck I buy should not see too much abuse, fully loaded on the trailer the boat weighs less then 4,000 pounds, it just so happens that my 99 z71 has 170,000 miles on it and although it tows the boat just fine, the tranny downshifts at every hint of a hill. I would think with the diesel I could set the cruise and have enough power to not worry about it.

i do tow the boat about 400 miles per week, another reason I thinka diesel would be a good option.

Never really liked the duramx trucks, they are too car like for me, hence the ford/dodge argument.

my buddy loves his 6.0 and tows a similar sized boat (slightly bigger) but online seems the 6.0's are hated.....

maybe I will flip a coin? The dodge certainly wins on looks.

 

I would consider the Dmax a close second the the Dodge but the first upgrade would be a straight axle conversion on the front (4x4). I would never consider a Ford 6.0.

 

I wouldn't go through the work of swapping the ifs out, It's not like I would be using the truck to offroad, I've got plenty of opportunity to do that in jeeps and buggies.

I am still leaning towards the dodge, got to sell my current truck first.

 

haha, yeah its a fun ride. Not the biggest on top end, not the fastest in the rough, but real good all around.

 

Mine is an early 03 (10-02) and it had some problems from the first owners neglect and abuse. Otherwise, none of the reported 03 problems. I'm in love with it and no regrets! Craig