Need some opinions on a 48re

[CBeeman]

I have a friend that is looking at a 2004 2500 4x4 auto (build date 1/04) the truck has 118,000 on it. How well are these tranmissions lasting at stock power levels to maybe 50-75hp gain? The dealer said the truck was only used as an escort vehicle for oversized loads. Also what is the differance between a 2004 and 2004. 5?

 

[BBowers]

I have a 03 with the 48re. My rig has almost 102k miles on it and it works great. It was used to pull a landscaping rig with a small tractor, so I'd guess around 5,000 lbs total for half that number of miles. It shifts great and firm running at tow/econ setting on my bullydog triple dog programmer. It is a good unit in my opinion but I've heard serious heavy towing is best left to a 6 speed manual. I have run my bd tiple dog at plus 100 hp (extreme) and run it hard a few times and it works fine. I did 0-60 in 8. 1 seconds on tow/economy! I am considering a suncoast pro-loc unit to keep the converter locked more of the time to promote fuel economy. It's a plug and play module for around 400 bucks. I get about 17-17. 5 mpg city/hwy combined an 04. 5 truck has the higher horsepower engine (325) with 600 lb ft of torque and an electronic wastegate, bigger intercooler, and inconel valves. It respnds better to programmers thanks to the wastegate, but has extra (3rd)injection event to make it quieter, but a bit less economical and you wear your injectors out faster firing them 3 times per cycle rather than 2 on the 03-04 year or once on the 02 and older trucks! whew! hope this helps!

 

[JValdez]

I wish more people would chime in and let us know how many miles they've gotten out of a stock 48RE and what type of problems they may have had.

 

[JVolpe]

The 2004 to 2004. 5 change occurred in January of 2004, so it could be either. Need to look at the label on valve cover and see if it says 305 or 325 hp to determine.

 

[BLambert]

I have an '03 with 183,000 miles and have had no transmission problems. It's a big improvement over the old 47. No power mods though.

 

[CPittman]

The 48RE is a beefy transmission. I did, however, have a problem that was not directly related to the transmission. At around 120,000 miles one of the six bolts that connect the torque converter to the flex plate backed out while pulling my 5er on a grade (the noise associated with that will pop your eyes open... )



I took the opportunity to have my trans upgraded to a full DTT unit with a billet input shaft and replace the flex plate w/ another stock OEM part. I felt that with a buck-twenty on the clock and having to pull the trans to get to the TC / flex plate, it was a good time to freshen up the trans with built hard parts and a nice Mag-Hytec double deep pan.



Now with 144,000 miles and the "livestock" valve body, it will still chirp the tires if I boot it a little.



Bottom line: very stout trans - doubtful that the one you're looking at has been hurt. Just drain and fill with Amsoil ATF (don't flush) and enjoy a sweet truck.

 

[Bertram65]

50k, some mild mods, no problems, tow 10k on a regular basis. I have a deep pan and change the fluid every 15k miles, just draining the pan take about 30 minutes and 7 quarts.

 

[DonFitzwater]

I put about 12,000 on a stock 48 that I put in my old 97 that was a little turned up and it held up great! My new one seems great so far and doesn't snivel at anything. I was thinking of converting to an Allison until I added up the cost. My opinion is a 48re with some reasonable mods will last just as long.

 

[EHoman]

I'm an RV Transporter and on my 05 1 ton Dually my 48 RE transmission fried at 123,000 miles but that is about normal in this line of work because of constanly pulling heavy loads thru mountains and in the hottest of weather. It's a good transmission and if its only been used as an escort vehicle I would think it would be good. I would just suggest he add a deep pan the extra fluid really helps to keep the temp down and maybe a gauge to just keep an eye on it. I change my fluid also at 20,000.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

61,000 miles total. 17,000 miles towing. Changed fluids/filter every 30,000. Added Magtec deep pan at first change. I watch temps. No problems. I don't like the sluggish shifting. I think it should be crisper, but that is the nature of the stock transmission. Edge EZ on 2.

 

[TStinson]

'06 2500 QC SWB - 67000 miles. Changed fluid @ 40000 & Smarty on level 3.

I agree w/Jumbo Jet - shifting could use some tightening up, but it has felt like that since about 10000 mi - can't blame it on any abuse. When the truck was new, for a few thousand miles it shifted very firm & crisp. After it wears in that all goes away & feels ... . sluggish... . is a good term. No towing, mostly highway running.

 

[JoelMartin]

My friend owns a minibarn company and delivers his barns with two automatic 2005 Dodges. They are both stock so they are maxed out most of the time. Both trannies went out around 60,000 miles.

 

[Donn]

My truck has 55K on it and it pulls a construction trailer about 1/2 of the time. I have the Bully Dog set on tow and have very little problems. If I set it up to the performance setting (100 HP) it shudders bad when it shifts into 3rd. I am considering having the transmission re done and beefed up, but I don't know what exactley to do with it.

 

[RPereira]

i have a 2003 and the transmission leet go at 69000. I bought the truck used so i do not know if it was abused. I drive very easy and tow an 8300 lbs fifth wheel.

 

[ColemanR]

I have an 06 131000miles towing 90% of the time I can make the trans shutter at will with my smarty and injectors hoping to get 200k my buddy has a 05 no mods hes at 223k both tow around 10k 90% of the time. My 97 went 160k before the trans died I change fliuds approx 12 to 15k the second trans was a DTT it went 200k before I sold the truck was working perfect Randy

 

[NLugo]

50k, some mild mods, no problems, tow 10k on a regular basis. I have a deep pan and change the fluid every 15k miles, just draining the pan take about 30 minutes and 7 quarts.

Do you have the Double deep (Mag-Hytec 727DD) or just the deep?

 

[WardD]

I've only got 50K on my stock 03 48RE. I've towed as much as 15,000lbs though with no problem. I also have run it pretty hard w/ my Juice w/ Attitude. I've got a Trans-Go shift kit that I will install soon, and hoping to save up for a decent converter so I can ditch the stock sponge. It will chatter the lock up clutch upon engagement while towing if you've got your foot in it hard. I really think the only pitfall is the stock converter.

 

[JonCoffey]

The 48RE is a beefy transmission. I did, however, have a problem that was not directly related to the transmission. At around 120,000 miles one of the six bolts that connect the torque converter to the flex plate backed out while pulling my 5er on a grade (the noise associated with that will pop your eyes open... )



I took the opportunity to have my trans upgraded to a full DTT unit with a billet input shaft and replace the flex plate w/ another stock OEM part. I felt that with a buck-twenty on the clock and having to pull the trans to get to the TC / flex plate, it was a good time to freshen up the trans with built hard parts and a nice Mag-Hytec double deep pan.



Now with 144,000 miles and the "livestock" valve body, it will still chirp the tires if I boot it a little.



Bottom line: very stout trans - doubtful that the one you're looking at has been hurt. Just drain and fill with Amsoil ATF (don't flush) and enjoy a sweet truck.

Reckon I could get you to give me a holler? email add is "toothpick1942 @earthlink.net". I'm in central Tx and need xmission work done!!!



Thanks in advance...



jonc

 

[coobie]

48re

I have around 52,000 miles on the OD. I had my TC&VB changed out to a goerends brothers at 30,000 miles so far so good. coobie

 

[BHolm]

I am currently on my fourth 48re. I have never modded any of the trucks, all were stock. My '03s were both company work trucks, multiple drivers, daily max cgvw loads in and out of construction sites, often requiring low range 4wd while pulling 15k lbs. The dually went through 100k miles of this including two round trips MN to CO moving my toys. It pulled several steep long passes in CO grossing around 27k. Never had any trouble with the trans, sold the truck at 100k. The '03 QC lost its 48re at 69k miles and was replaced under warranty. The dealer said the electronic fan clutch control failed and caused the trans to overheat. Driver claims to have never seen the trans temp light come on. From then on both work trucks ran transmission temp gauges in the pillar. I only put 36k on the '05 (with no problems) before trading for the Megacab which has 46k on it now. The Mega lost its 48re at 35k miles. I don't think it was the trucks fault. My wife admits to having put it reverse at 40+ mph while pulling her horse trailer (three horse gooseneck). Don't ask, it involved a cell phone and obviously not much attention to driving.



I have driven the six speeds and I think those guys are missing the boat. The 48re is stout, and other than the loose convertor it is a great trans and if cared for, can last a long, long time.