2011 RAM 1500 trans rebuild / replace?

[bcbender]

Hey all...

My brother has a 2011 RAM 1500 big horn, he likes it, wants to keep it (I think) but the trans went out. I assume he wants to keep it but local guys are telling him rebuild for $2800... Add billet this /billet that.. for $4300.. He has a small tag camper he pulls, My question for you all is for a 9yr old 5.7L 1500, is it really worth it to put that much into it? I am of the option he does a replacement like this ATS and leave the local shop alone since they will only give him a 2y warranty. Truck has 130k miles.

https://www.atsdiesel.com/ats2/productdetail.asp?p=3069459356

Anyway.. I don't know much on these t/m as my last 1500 was a 01 (5.9L gas) and I never has any trouble with it other than it laboring to pull a trailer (hence buying the 3500(s))

 

[Ozymandias]

I like that ATS trans, sounds like the way to go.

 

[Wiredawg]

We went with local rebuilder on my wifes former 2003 Ram 2500 4x4 48RE Cummins back in 2010 and 100K miles. Trans wasn't destroyed, just worn out thanks to adding power to the truck. Rebuilder had great reputation and shop was nearly as clean as an operating room. Truck still running on the rebuild and with MADS turned all the way up for my niece and 248K miles on the clock.

Anyhoo, if that local builder has great reputation too, I'd go that route.

Let us know what he does.

Cheers, Ron

 

[bcbender]

Yeah Ron good point, I am unsure I guess if he's willing to R&R it now that I think about it. But I guess the million dollar question is to rebuild back to OE or add all the bells and whistles such as billet converter, upgraded valve body..etc...

 

[Wiredawg]

Yeah Ron good point, I am unsure I guess if he's willing to R&R it now that I think about it. But I guess the million dollar question is to rebuild back to OE or add all the bells and whistles such as billet converter, upgraded valve body..etc...

I simply told the trans shop owner I want to easily hold up to 500HP. He told me the trans he built were for farmers/ranchers were with chips/programmers pulling insane loads (cattle, hay, tractors, etc) so his build would work for me. It had a Sun Coast TC, but beyond that, I didn't concern myself. Just have to say rural trans shop had to be good to stay in business. No advertising other than word of mouth. He also builds trans for sled pullers... seems farmers like to plow more than fields.

Anyhoo, if checking out the builder, tell him what you want to do with the truck and HP. See what he comes up with and how much.

I'm big into using small local business.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Timd32]

I think most small shops are going to use good friction and internals.

If your not going to throw tons of HP at this thing you won't need all the billet shafts and the sort. They will inspect what's there and would expect to let you know if too much power was applied and that kinda $ is needed.

Agree with Ron, figure out a local place and let them do the what makes sense.

Good luck with the trans.

 

[Ozymandias]

Won't it be more costly then a drop in 1600$ already built Trans?

 

[bcbender]

Won't it be more costly then a drop in 1600$ already built Trans?

That was my original point, I am trying to help my brother decide if a drop in is enough or have to go for all the extras for a DD.

 

[Ozymandias]

Nope, i don't think so. On a HEMI there isn't so much wrong with the 545. I think ATS does a good job from what I read in the description. There is no need to overbuild that trans for a DD.
There are millions of these every day on the road working just fine.

 

[bcbender]

I agree, with you Ozy... I will discuss with my brother and see where he's at with it.

 

[DonFitzwater]

How much is the torque converter from ATS? The trans they list doesn't include a torque converter.

 

[bcbender]

I think is ~$800.

I still haven't talked to my brother yet, but I was trying to see what other options were out there from you all, I know he can get his rebuilt, but for almost the same money.. the ATS has a much longer warranty. any other vendors out there you'd recommend? He lives in Napavine WA, (near Chehalis) are there any reputable trans shops that you all have used near there?

 

[Ozymandias]

It depends on the condition of Trans if the Converter has to be replaced or not.

 

[bcbender]

Update, My brother pulled pan and the filter today, no big parts, not burnt but the big suction filter was split open along the seam.....I told him replace both the suction and return filter with a Mopar part and see what happens before going for a complete R&R, he was getting low pressure and ratio codes... ( 1k miles after replacing the filters with WIX not MOPAR.)............. Why would a suction filter split open?

 

[Ozymandias]

Aftermarket Filters are well known to split, why, I've no clue.

 

[bcbender]

Found somewhere that a certain condition with cold weather and cold start can cause a quick pressure spike on the suction side that splits the aftermarket filters, MOPAR added a check valve to eliminate this issue... Walked my brother thru it, truck is fixed and no need for a new trans..

 

[Ozymandias]

Excellent, good to hear that.