Transmission gurus-can you use a 48RE in a 1994 Dodge truck?

[raxley]

I have a 2005 regular cab, but unfortunately I wrecked it a couple of years ago. I still have it, and would like to use the transmission in a recently purchased 1994 Dodge 2500. In the 48re I've put a billet input shaft, Goreand Bros. 3 disc T/C, upgraded flex plate, shift kit, deeper pan etc and I wouldn't get as much for selling it as it is worth to me.
Anyway, since I got the 1994 I've wanted more hp, but there is no point in ruining a perfectly good 47rh transmission. I thought that I could use some parts in the 47rh, and it turns out that I can, and I recently saw a web page of a transmission shop that explicitly says that it isn't hard to put a later model transmission in and control it with a mechanical / hydraulic / electronic speed sensor and a vacuum / electronic throttle position sensor. This will be accomplished with the use of three GM parts and some trick wiring. The Chevy and Ford guys make the swap to overdrive all the time, it's time for the Dodge people to have the same option link HERE
However it just talks about the 47 series and I don't see the 48re specifically noted anywhere.
I would think (hope) that the 48re would also work in a similar fashion.
BTW, they seem like a experienced shop, to say the least, and have got me drooling for a faster truck. Although I like the 1994 (comfort-wise it's similar to the 2005) it barely has enough power to get out of it's own way with the 160 hp engine.

Moderaters-would this post be better off in the second generation section?

 

[p-Bar]

The 48re is a fully ECU controlled transmission as the 47rh is not .

 

[Newt]

http://www.cumminsperformanceparts.com/6019502104.html

 

[cerberusiam]

Actually, is not. Compared to a 47RH it has only one difference, electronic gov solenoid. All the shifting, OD, and lockup work the same as a 94 47RH.

Unfortunately, that one difference is kinda important. Without governor pressure it will never shift out of 1st gear. There are a couple solutions to the problem. Suncoast makes a stand alone controller kit for the 47\48RE to allow for transplants. ATS has a VB\controller kit that will do the same thing. They are both a little spendy but do the job, around $1500-2000 to get it running.

Another thing you could do is pull all the good parts from the 48RE and put then into the 47RH, that is relatively simpe to do for a trans shop that is familiar with these units. You get the bigger heavier parts in a unit that will match your truck and get rid of the electronics issue.

Third option is a manual VB and you shift it when you want.

Fourth option is move the engine and trans from the 05 into the 94 as a unit. If you have the donor truck and all the harnesses that might be easier thna naything. More power and beefier transmission.

The RE is going to be about 1.5 inches shorter than the RH so that is going to shift things to the tcase or drive shaft. Just another thing to remember to fix.

None of these options is going to give you more power though. You have aways to go to power up the 12V to where the you would need to do something with the RH transmission.

 

[raxley]

Actually, is not. Compared to a 47RH it has only one difference, electronic gov solenoid. All the shifting, OD, and lockup work the same as a 94 47RH.

Unfortunately, that one difference is kinda important. Without governor pressure it will never shift out of 1st gear. There are a couple solutions to the problem. Suncoast makes a stand alone controller kit for the 47\48RE to allow for transplants. ATS has a VB\controller kit that will do the same thing. They are both a little spendy but do the job, around $1500-2000 to get it running.

Another thing you could do is pull all the good parts from the 48RE and put then into the 47RH, that is relatively simpe to do for a trans shop that is familiar with these units. You get the bigger heavier parts in a unit that will match your truck and get rid of the electronics issue.

Third option is a manual VB and you shift it when you want.

Fourth option is move the engine and trans from the 05 into the 94 as a unit. If you have the donor truck and all the harnesses that might be easier thna naything. More power and beefier transmission.

The RE is going to be about 1.5 inches shorter than the RH so that is going to shift things to the tcase or drive shaft. Just another thing to remember to fix.

None of these options is going to give you more power though. You have aways to go to power up the 12V to where the you would need to do something with the RH transmission.

Thank you for all the replies, everybody. I got an answer back from the transmission guy at Ebay and it's similar to what you have told me. Here is his answer.

Dear raxley,

you can either take the 48re apart and stuff it into the 47 case,, we do it all the time.. the most cost effective thing to do would be to just buy a stand alone controller and leave the 48re in its built condition and just swap it into your 94 dodge truck... below is a copy of the controller.. and you can call our sales office at 888 201 2066 and ask for nathan or blake..

$790 for the computer

$120 for the throttle position sensor

$100 for us to program the computer for you....
Programmable Electronic Transmission Controller
46RE/ 47RE/ 48RE Stand alone controller kit with harness
Part # TCM-2000
#4L60ETCM2000. The TCM-2000 is our most powerful aftermarket controller. Similar to our other controllers the TCM-2000 features dual calibrations (sport mode, tow-haul mode, etc.). Programmable shift points, shift firmness, and torque converter lock-up. Unique to the TCM-2000, PWM outputs are programmable either active high or low supporting a wide range of transmissions from GM, Ford, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota and others. The CAN interface allows seamless integration with CAN Based Vehicles or ECU's. Compatible with J1939 and other CAN Standards. The CAN Connection also simplifies the connection to a PCS Paddle shifter or the GSM-2100 Gear Select Module so you can completely eliminate the shift lever and shifter in your car. This kit comes complete with the wiring harness pictured here. Cost $790.00
*To Purchase a controller kit, specifically the controller (TCM-2000) and the harness for the transmission. If this is a fuel injected application you may be able to share the throttle position sensor already on the engine. If your vehicle does not have a throttle position sensor, a remote mount TPS Kit, TCM-6000 (See Below) is available from PCS.


I have a mechanic friend of mine who said that he would put the engine and transmission for me in return for my engine and transmission from the 1994 plus $2000.
That might be a little high, but there are a lot of advantages for me and I can get it done and be driving it.
A especially good thing is that I don't have to worry about smog with the older truck. When I did the high performance stuff on it (twins, removed the cat, etc. etc.) they didn't inspect diesels in California. About 3 or 4 years later, they changed the law and did inspect. I was just going to either have to return the truck to it's stock condition or register it out of state or maybe in another county in California they don't inspect (yet)

 

[cerberusiam]

If you have the all the pieces and harnesses to swap the CR into the 94 that is the optimal route. The 05 is pretty much self contained in the wiring harnesses. There will be some things like ABS module and sourcing an ABS signal that will need addressed but Dakota Digital has about all the pieces to take care of that. Driveshafts will need to be adjusted. Motor mounts will need to be moved in the 94. Lots of little differences to comopensate for.

The $2k plus your old engine and trans is probably not that bad.

 

[rabbitram]

can I make a manuel shift for the 47RE with toggle switches and the like to make T C and OD work without all the computer stuff

 

[rabbitram]

i have a 90 dodge turbo oil burner that i want to put in a 99 dodge that now has a V10 gas burner with a 47RE trans that i want to use if i can get it to shift and lock up the converter any one have any ideas would help tnks

 

[cerberusiam]

The TC and OD are not the issues, simple switches works for those the electronic governor is the problem trying to retro. With the 99 it should already have a PCM to control the trans, it might be as easy as hanging the engine controller somewhere and just dropping the diesel in.

 

[Gumby79]

Would the 47R h/e or 48 be a better choice on a 91.5 as far as stock durability

 

[p-Bar]

The 48re is computer controlled probably wont work . You can probably build that 47 to work well enough for you

 

[Teddy ils]

Anyone on here know if a 2005 transmission will fit work with a 1999 5.9 cummins

 

[cerberusiam]

1999 and up should be the same electronics, it should work fine as long as output shaft splines and configuration is the same.