03/47RE Trans question!

[Tony T.]

I have noticed that my transmission at different time's almost seems to need another gear. I don't know if it's me the way I drive or what. Where I notice it the most is accelarating on to a on ramp going on to the interstate, if I don't put my foot into it, it's like driving a 18 wheeler when you miss a gear and that split second realize you did and find the right gear. I know I questioned my 2000 Chevy 4x4 3/4 ton on the way it shifted,and a good mechnic friend of mine drove it and said it shifted fine that I was just use the way the trans in my 1/2 ton Z71 shifted. Also I believe the manual calls for ATF+4 in the 03 Dodge/Cummins. I am planning on changing the trans fluid at 15,000 and was wondering if I have to purchase Mopar trans fluid or could get any suggestions on other brands.

 

[tschwab]

Tony,



I sounds to me like your just used to the way a gasser drives Vs. a CTD. The Dodge/Cummins does not drive like a gasser compared to the Powerstroke & Duramax, they accelarate much like a gasser.



When I'm in city driving, I always lock out OD, then when I get to cruising speed on the hwy, I manually engage OD. I have been told by a well respected diesel trans guru that you should always do this.



Give it a try and see how it works for you, after some time, you find the sweet spot(s) when driving your truck (rpm and gear). Give it some time, you'll love the CTD and will never go back.

 

[Steve M]

If we're seeing the same characteristic, it's the torque converter locking up at around 40-44mph when the rpm needs to stay up a little longer. My '01. 5 didn't do this. It would hold 3rd until I either reached 65mph (3. 54 ratio) or let off the throttle to let it shift. I liked this feature but people complained and a TSB was issued to replace the valve body seperator plate and correct this "problem". Now we must have the new plate in our new trannies and this is the result. As you said, you can roll on the throttle to hold 3rd longer which is what I do now. Or you can lock out O/D until you get up to speed and then poke the button again. Not a problem at all. It just doesn't seem like it should be necessary. I would gladly pay to have one of the old style seperator plates over my valve body so my '03 would shift like my '01. 5 did.

 

[Tony T.]

Hey guy's thanks for the information. I caught a lot of kidding around at work for buying a Dodge, since I have alway's drove Chevy's in the past. Done a lot of talking and research to other people about the Dodge/Cummins and it's reliablity and longivity of being a great engine. So far have owned the truck nine months with no major problems. But, people must realize any thing mechical will break down sooner or later,hopfully lot later. That Z71 I bought new in 95 transmission thrashed in it at 27,000 miles without any warning, and I'm a pretty conservative driver. Thank's again!--------------------TDR RULES. Oo.