Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 2002 47 re

[BIGNASTY]

I hope that this alright, BIG my Brother-in-law is away in the mountains hunting. He said that I should throw out this question to see what I get for return info. My Son, has a 2002 Dodge 4 X 4 with a 47RE automatic trans that's in need of being rebuilt. Just wondering what ideas for the parts on rebuild?

The truck isn't used extensively for towing, at times it pulls a stock trailer, weight of trailer/stock approx. 13,000 lbs. And a 30 year old driver, I don't think that we should have to discuss that last part any further!!

Looking for suggestions on parts list to make a transmission that would have a long life, the stock trans has 350K on it now. We think that we have gotten our moneys worth from the trans and the 30 year old driver said that he drove it like Grandma's car. As to my knowledge these were not the best transmissions to begin with.

Hope that I didn't step on any toes by posting this and would like to thank any for suggestions.



Kurt

 

[CBari]

I would call Goerend Transmissions and speak with Dave on Monday. 1-563-778-2325 They have been great to work with.

 

[BIGNASTY]

When this question was posed by BIL he said that it wasn't any big deal, that he would just buy an overhaul kit and TC/VB and do the rebuild and didn't want to bother anyone with the hassle of answering a few questions. We have a crude communications system from a fire tower, I was the one the placed the above thread on his behalf via a smart phone, It was just a thought that someone with some practical applications of parts used might have given a thought to this question and give an opinion. I can only hope that if someone comes up here and wants to look around or have some questions that we could help someone out with that I can muster up the same enthusiastic response as this has been given.


BIG

 

[B.G. Smith]

I used to do automobile transmissions and I used ATP kits. Never had a failure of parts. If he is going to do the work himself I would think any supplier still in the business of transmission repair kits would be dependable. The weak link in that set up is the torque converter. I would stay away from shift kits, etc unless he really wants to bomb and then he should go to the experts. A little tougher torque converter would be desirable. bg

 

[BIGNASTY]

I have talked to my BIL BIG he has used DTT for the soft/hard parts and another supplier for the TC and VB I haven't gone to his house yet to get the name of the supplier for the TC/VB he rebuilt his Son's 48RE with the DTT parts and what ever TC/VB it was, and its been a very good transmission.

Just a word about my BIL BIG, he use to get so upset with this website that he quit giving his opinion of things mechanical and shooting of guns, BIG is a very good mechanic and like I said he rebuilt his Sons Transmission and its worked flawlessly thus far. His shooting abilities are something that I still dont believe, and I see them first hand so I know that they are not BS, BIG knows that there are many ways of skinning the same cat, he's was never saying that his thoughts and way were the Holy Grail, its just his way is what was used. When people started telling him he was stupid and full of **** is when my BIL gives up. He's not going to argue with people so short sighted that they believe their way is the only possible way of doing things.

This question was only asked because he or I have never rebuilt a 47RE trans, there are quirks to every transmission. We were asking what had worked for some and what had not so we wouldn't have to go thru the trial and error process. The thing that really bothered BIG was the lack of response at this time there is something like 75 views and only 3 of you had the decency to answer back, I think that you would have to admit that's pretty raw. On the bottom line, Gail said to buy what ever you want and he will put it in, he only asked if we would leave the transmission in one piece so he could see how it came apart, rather than come into the rebuild when it was a basket full of parts that he didn't take apart. I know that he had mentioned Goerend Transmissions before and said he talked to a Gentleman on this web-site that said he liked their products and Gail said that we should give them a try next trans rebuild.


On a side note Gail has been guiding a bunch of Geriatrics 80+ years old BOW HUNTING!! out of the 8 men he guided 8 scored a bull. I also had him guide me and I was lucky enough to score a very nice bull. My Father was the lucky one, his is being scored for record book possibility. The way my BIL looked at the Elk was, ya its a pretty nice one Pop!! Records meen nothing to him, its all about the hunt.

With the exception of one 24 hour period of cold and some snow, its been absolutely beautiful weather. He is at camp now with 15 family members not including himself and my Sister, awaiting the start of the trigger season, which is at midnight tonight. I can give you odds that he already has his vantage spots picked out and knows the ability of each shooter assigned to those spots.

I hope this answers all of your thoughts Mr, CBari Gail has a list of names on the side of his computer yours is one that is on the Good People list. So he must think highly of you.


Take Care and Thanks for the thoughts

Kurt

 

[JR]

I wouldn't take the lack of responses personal, probably just means not many are fluent in auto trans rebuilds myself included. My best advice for people asking your question is to find the best local trans guru you can and try to establish a relationship with him. But if BIG is going to attempt this on his own, that advice goes out the window. I'm sure auto transmissions are just like anything else once you know them it's not rocket science. I don't know them so I leave it to the pros. When mine let loose I already knew a good builder so I dropped the trans and seperated the t case, cleaned it up and took it to him. Once it was done I picked it back up and installed it. I do all my own repair work but there are lots of expensive parts inside that case so I leave it to the ones that know them. Sometimes your money ahead to pay a little now rather than a lot later.

Good luck with everything

 

[BTMaltby]

Hey Big,
I second what JR said. I think most people want to help but we also know when to keep out big yap shut unless we know our stuff. There are plenty of videos on you tube which are a great help. Also I can't imagine taking on the project without a printed manual. I just bought one myself. JR's points are well taken - how do you know which parts need replacement unless you have the experience? And perhaps even more important which ones are marginal and should be replaced now rather that having to go in again and replace them in the near future.

 

[GHarman]

Gentlemen!
I concur about "keeping my Yap shut" in areas that I have no knowledge. However, do not mistake BIG's questions as those of a "nicky new guy"!
BIG is a top notch Mechanic! He just is not one to toot His own horn!
GregH

 

[cerberusiam]

If you are going to do it yourself, get an ATSG manual and start reading. Going to be the best way of familarizing yourself with the internals and how they work there is. It could be better but then everybody would do it themsleves and all the shops would loose income.

With that many miles plan on a master overhaul kit. You will want to replace every bushing and every thrust washer in it. You will need a set of bushing drivers and press to remove\install them. You will need a shop press to take apart the OD unit as it has an 800 lb spring in it. A solvent tank will be handy to clean things. A car wash will suffice to clean the case once it is disassembled. A transmission holder or some type of setup to allow holding the trans whil assembling will be a big help. Depends on how much you want to buy.

As was suggested, Goerends is a good source for all the parts and they have a pretty good rep for a help line. You can get the master overhaul kit and a TC from them and it will be quality pieces.

As for what need supgrade that will depend on usage. A billet input shaft is a good choice. Whos shat is another problem. Opie is good stuff but a bit spendy. The others can be good depending on power levels and driving style.

Clutch disk is another big choice, several options. A good solid choice is the Raybestos HE series. Good all around performance, better than stock but not as aggressive as the GPZ's or Alto's.

You will likely want to replace all the planetaries. Some are aluminum case and they need to go to steel. Some are steel but you need to get specs on allowable play in the side gears or it will howl at you when rebuilt. You have 2 planetaries in the main case and 1 in the OD. There are steel cased and 6 pinon version of all these if you want to drop the $$ on them. It go to www.transmissioncenter.net and look at the Dodge page your will find all the parts you ever need.

This is by no means an inclusive list, there is a LOT than can go into building one of these transmssions. The last 47RH we specced out came to about $4000 in parts alone to upgrade to all the new HP stuff. Do you need all that? Hard to tell at this point. There are long drawn out and somtimes very contentious discussions on auto trans build ideas, parts, etc.

Part of the reticient responses are due to the potential for a blow up and the fact there is so much to decide and look at in a build. All I have done is hit the high points but maybe it will help your decision making process.

 

[DTWeber]

I will agree with Ceber , I have built a few and depending on what you want to do you can spend some bucks , I have just finished one for myself and have 3300 in just inside parts , and a lot of Billet , and then I took a # an D torque converter and had it cut open and paid 800 more to make it a true triple disc and if you go that far put a new flex plate in that is SFI rated and heavier , Billet servos and Kevlar clutch bands are a good investment also and a deep pan for more fluid , I/E better cooling and lube