Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 47 to a 48re?

[DonFitzwater]

I'm going to attempt to install a 48re in my 97 2500 that came with a 47. I've got a transmission guy helping me that says he knows what he's doing. If anyone is interested I will document and post if requested. If anyone has tried this before and failed miserably, tell me now or just laugh to yourself!

 

[zstroken]

HA HA. All you have to do is change the electronics on the VB(gov press, gov solenoid, and wiring harness) and and make a bushing for the PRDL sensor if your using a 48RE case.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Thats what my trans guy is telling me too. The guy that I bought the trans from was a nay-sayer and didn't think that it could be done. How do you like you Goerend T/c Zstroken?

 

[zstroken]

I am absolutely tickled to death with it. I am in the process of getting it upgraded to a triple disk though. It is a great convertor, fairly tight, but with my charger I am just able to light it right before the no boost stall. I can then build boost to about 15lbs and leave the line at 1900RPM.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Here is a parts list to get the trans set up for my truck: 56041403AA,4617210,52118500, 3515996, 4617216, 4617219, 52117937, 4617439, 3747361. All of this stuff is the new solenoids and and related components for my new valve body to work in my truck. We're going to make a bushing today for the shift linkage (the only thing not avail from dodge) and I will post something pertaining to fabrication and installation. Be prepared to spend about 400. 00 on parts to backfit the new trans to work and install it in a second gen truck. I did this because I plow alot and didn't want to spend a lot on a mod transmission. All said I'll have about 1300. 00 into this new trans. I picked it up in Dallas, Tx on e-bay for 975. 00 with the torque converter. Not a bad price, especially for a new trans out of a wrecked truck with 0 miles on it!

 

[Moose Truck]

My Hot Rod Diesel Guy told me that a 48re would swap over easily. I just need to move my 47re's electronics over to the 48re. I am interested as the 48 can stand up to 610 foot pounds long enough for a 100K warrantee. Oo. DFitzwater, I am interested in Photos and Outcome Moose00 (My sign off says it all )

 

[Cooker]

Personally I don't know that I would spend too much money trying to swap a stock 48 into a truck with a 47. I supposed if you could do it real cheap it would not be too bad of a decision. JMHO.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I'd rather have a built 47RE than a brand new 48RE

 

[Cooker]

I'd rather have a built 47RE than a brand new 48RE

My point exactly. That is why I added the part about the cost in my thread. Granted there are advantages to the 48re over the 47 but the 48 is certainly not indestructible. For cheap it is not a bad deal but I would not drop too much on the stock 48.

 

[Moose Truck]

Me Too!

I'd rather have a built 47RE than a brand new 48RE

I guess the piont is that I'd really rather have a Built 48E than a Stock 47RE Moose00

 

[Cooker]

I guess the piont is that I'd really rather have a Built 48E than a Stock 47RE Moose00

So you are going to spend money on building up the 48re? Did you get the 48 pretty cheap?



Someone correct me if I am wrong but can't you build a 47 into a 48? Wouldn't a built up 47 be the same as a built up 48 (if a guy chose to go that route)



I don't know how the cost analysis of the two would work out but I don't think there is an advantage to having a built 48 over a built 47 and if that is the case the less expensive way to go would seem to be the logical choice.

 

[Moose Truck]

Right now I don't have the Ca$h to build any thing, got to pay off the beast. Moose00

 

[Cooker]

Right now I don't have the Ca$h to build any thing, got to pay off the beast. Moose00

That sounds like the smart thing to do, pay it off and then start Bombing. I wish I would have done that a long time ago but what fun would that have been for the last few years

 

[DonFitzwater]

The big reason for going to the new 48 is cheap and easy! I get a six pinion planetary setup and a new transmission for under 1500. 00 bucks. I can barely get the parts for my 47 re for that. With that said, the 47 that is coming out, will have new life and a Goerend T/C put on for my backup. Gotta plow, gotta plow, gotta plow.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Well, even though I put this off as long as I could, I finally got the transmission in and everything works great. The only thing that I did that doesn't look factory was connecting the new shift switch to my old wiring harness and did a little grinding on my shift lever as that was transferred from my 47 to the new 48re. So far I have put on about five hundred miles with the slide-in camper and boat behind me with no problems. It shifts just like the old trans but doesn't shudder in overdrive under heavy accelleration. I must say this trans is definitely an improvement over the 47re. Anyone who doesn't think so obviously hasn't driven one! I have a grand total of 1410. 00 into this swap and am very happy. I will build the old 47 up and put a goerend t/c on it for the winter. PLow, Plow,Plow. If anyone has any questions send me an e-mail at -- email address removed --. Trans temp runs approx 120 with the new trans and the old one ran @ 175. Must be the torque converter? The old one had been so hot that it turned bright blue! Thats damn hot! Well, if anyone is interested in converting from 47re to 48re it is easy and cheap if you score like I did.