1st Dodge Diesel-transmission question

[Stout]

I recently purchased a 2001 3500 4X4 dually. Although this is not my first 4X4 it is my first Dodge Cummins diesel and the first one I will be asking to pull/haul heavier loads. My previous 4X4's were never used to haul anything heavier than my snowmobiles. Now retired, I will be pulling a fiver.

A friend told me of problems with the transmission. This truck has the 4 speed auto (47RE). I was told I likely should be concerned with this transmission and advised to install a second transmission cooler and change the converter to a BD(?) converter. Any info or advice will be anxiously awaited.



Walt

2001 3500 Quad 4X4 dually.

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

The following links at the DTT (Diesel Transmission Technology) forum give my long tale of my transmission failure and what I learned.



http://www.dieseltrans.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=34



http://www.dieseltrans.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=33



http://www.dieseltrans.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=32



http://www.dieseltrans.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=83



The DTT home page is:



http://www.dieseltrans.com

 

[nascar mark]

Walt,

transmission is fine unless you decide to up hp over 300hp. Yes the torque convertor (tc) is the weak link in our diesels as they produce more heat than a lower stall tc. As far as your friend saying buy a BD tc, I would do a search on trannys and you will find only afew people that are happy with a BD tc or valve body (vb). Most like me have gone to a full Diesel Transmission Technology (DTT) because of the way they treat customers and their track record. Almost all regular and big hp trucks are running DTT equipment. They also have many installers all across the country. They can be reached at http://dieseltrans.com/ or phone Bill. K. (owner) and he will answer your questions.



If you feel the need for hp you can do a search on Piers. You will find 99% of guys will only trust him for parts, service and help. Piers Diesel Research (PDR) is at http://piersdiesel.com or toll free 1-866-888-9396.



Do your research and make your own choice as I'm bias and only have the best in my truck. Also it helps to have the best 15 mins from my house.



mark

PDR - Black Sheep Racing

 

[aram2nv]

I would recommend the DTT trans. Mine is great. SHifts are much more solid and smoother. As for making more horsepower, I would recommend you give Lenny at Dyna-mite Diesel Performance in Monroe a call at (866)774-DYNO. He has done lots of work for me and many friends, excellent work and prices. He will tell you how much horsepower to expect from a particular product and will DYNO prove it with before and after results from your truck!!! It is true power improvements! Great company

 

[illflem]

Keep the OD off when under 50 mph, stay under 300 hp and your transmission will go a long time.

 

[Diesel Freak]

"what illflem said"



Walt, Stop by the Lynwood Hooters this Sunday at 12:00. A few NW BOMBers are meeting for a BS Session... . there may even be a couple of tweaked automatics to check out.





http://www.nwbombers.com/board/ikonboard. cgi?s=3dd3975138e5ffff;act=ST;f=1;t=1378

 

[pwr2tow]

Walt,

If your looking for straight information about transmission products the best place to look is right in the TDR magazine you get with your subscription. The magazine is designed to give you straight information about products. In a few of last issues there were some good articles about different transmission products. All the phone numbers and ads are there for your convenience.



Happy searching.

Originally posted by nascar mark



As far as your friend saying buy a BD tc, I would do a search on trannys and you will find only afew people that are happy with a BD tc or valve body (vb).

Mark,

Most BD owners don't care to get involved with nasty sarcasim from the DTT crouwd. The fact is BD is a bigger company with more years of experience.



Ron

 

[rweis]

I second Bill Fleming's advice.



I talked to a transmission guy (actually several). They basically said 1800 rpm's or greater for OD (which happens to be about 50 mph). I pad mine a little and go to OD at 55 or 2000 rpm's and sure that I will be at 55+ for a while (ie not in town).



Seems rpm's are for better coolant flow, lube circuit flow, clutch pressures.



There is a mod about using a relay to turn your OD off on engine start so it runs in a safer mode around town.



Have fun,



Bob Weis

 

[rmrc]

OD off under 50 MPH

That's what I love about this site. I had no idea that leaving the OD on while driving under 50 mph might cause increased transmission wear. Thanks for the info!!!

 

[pwr2tow]

If your concerned about transmission line pressures in OD at lower speeds then the BD pressure lock would eliminate your worries. The BD pressure lock is designed to give you full line pressures as soon as the transmission is given the signal to lockup in OD.



Here's a link to their web site www.bd-power.com cruise their site and then give them a call for any transmission need you might have.



Ron

 

[pwr2tow]

Walt,



Here are some sites to help you in the power department if and when you get the transmission upgraded.





www.atsdieselperformance.com

www.suncoastconverters.com

www.bd-power.com

www.edgeproductsinc.com

www.piersdiesel.com

www.psdieselproducts.com

www.performancediesel.net

www.tstproducts.com

www.diablosport.com

www.bullydog.com

www.dieselpage.com

www.autowurksdiesel.com

www.dieselinnovations.com

www.omnicast.net

www.westerndiesel.com

www.dieselsite.com

www.performancecargraphics.com



Have fun



Ron

 

[Shovelhead]

Originally posted by ronsram1999

Walt,



Here are some sites to help you in the power department if and when you get the transmission upgraded.

Have fun



Ron

The only link you left out was to the bank that offers a cheap home equity loan to pay for all the BOMBing.

 

[pwr2tow]

Here you go for that home morgage www.nwafcu.org/



Ron

 

[Shovelhead]

 

[rrausch]

ATS in Denver did my trans back in April. Their TripleLok TC is the sturdiest, most bullet-proof TC out there. It was specifically developed for guys who tow heavy loads, up and over the Rockies, around Denver. They also re-engineer, harden, Cyrogenically treat, and beef-up many, many other components in the trans to handle high H. P. and heavy loads. Here is the thread I posted about my experiences at ATS.



Don, Clint & Ranee are great folks. They have an 8-bay shop, and they let me follow my trans all through the tear-down and re-building process. They gave me a car so I could get lunch, run errands, etc. , and let me do some work on my truck while it was on their lift all day. ATS works Dodge/Cummins mostly, but also do a few big-rig Allisons and Powerstrokes. They are first-rate folks, who will do what they say.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...41&highlight=my+experience+with+ATS+in+Denver

 

[DBVZ]

The ATS website has some great information on what they do, and why it works, that is very informative. Worth a look. If I had not bought the '03 with the 48re, that was where I would take anything with the 47re if it has over 50k+ miles on it. If you expect to rebuild it anyway soon, rebuild it STRONG before the transmission gets cooked.