47 trans help

[retirednak]

I've got a '03 3500 DRW 4x4 with the 47 series transmission. I've kept up with a fluid/filter change every 10K miles and have never had any discoloration or burnt smell,nor any metal goodies in the pan. The dealer always does the work and afterwords the truck always shifts great for the first 100 miles or less and its back to the sloppy shifting its always had. I'm right at 99K miles,would it be a waste of time if I went with a aftermarket valve body for the firmer shifts and perhaps stop the hunting it does from time to time? Or is it getting time for a rebuild? I don't tow nor do I have any power adders,just a cold air and 6" turbo back exhaust system and the edge mileage master. Also the truck doesn't seem to have the get up and go it once had and the fuel mileage isn't that great. I only put 2500 miles on the truck last year,so its always a new experience when I drive the truck. Living in Alaska,I haven't heard of any great trans shops that service the diesel crowd and shipping a trans up from the lower 48 is going to be outrageous. I rather not have to do a trans rebuild,but I don't want to waste my money either. Your opinions are appreciated-Thanks Also has anyone heard of a reliable trans shop in South Central AK?

 

[Tinman]

At about 100K the trans is probably getting tired but it shouldn't be toasted yet. My transmission builder/DTT installer says all autos really should be at least "refreshed" every 100-150K. He says the clutchs and bands are friction material and are supposed to wear. That wear material get deposited all over the place and over time the trans will need a good cleaning. But you have really taken care of your trans so I bet it looks good. You could have it refreshed and gone thru to make sure all is good. And it is absolutely not a waste of time or $ to get a good TC and VB (if you stay stock power). It will be like driving a completely different truck. Single best mod to make to these trucks is a good transmission. One of the best builders in North America is DTT and they're close to you; BC and Washington. Also, you might just want to talk to a good transmission builder. Changing to a different ATF might make a big different in shifting. My builder advised ATF+3 then dexton 3 (after +3 was gone). The +4 is "too slick" as he said. A different fluid may improve your shifting until it's time to rebuild.

 

[retirednak]

I would like to get a smarty but nightmares of trans rebuild have kept me from it. No doubt a good trans would make a big difference,but at this time I can't afford a rebuild. But... ..... buying a TC & VB and installing it in a old transmission,if the trans goes tits up, will I be able to flush the TC & VB and reuse in a fresh transmission?

What do you mean about refreshed" every 100-150K?

 

[WoodChuck]

Since you don't tow or race and are at almost stock power levels and given your service history I would expect easily another 50k mile and possibly up to another 100k miles of life.

(I got 180k on my first gen with the A727 and fairly abusive driving)

I vote for the VB upgrade, if I had it to do over again I would build my own from a kit but I have no idea of your mechanical capabilities. The hardcore option is a Suncoast full electronic VB with a stand alone controller which comes in around $2k.

 

[WoodChuck]

The VB normally gets disassembled, inspected, cleaned and rebuilt so no problem with that. The TQ is another deal all together, you can't disassemble to clean but if your trans doesn't suffer a catastrophic failure and gets less than 100k miles you could probably reuse it.

 

[retirednak]

I do have a friend who is great with turbo 350 & 400's as well as most non overdrive Ford & Mopar transmissions. He just isn't comfortable rebuilding a overdrive trans. Is shift kiting a valve body the same on these transmissions as non HD OD trans?

I've thrashed on 727 trans and had great luck with them,but in the back of my mind I always thought the trans in my truck was a weak link. I tried power breaking one time to just see if I could and I couldn't even spin an inch. It occurred to me that the TC was weak and thought about an upgrade 30K miles ago. I'll look into a TC and hope I can reuse it when I rebuild and I'll see about upgrading my VB also. One last question... ... . any advantage to going with a 48 series when I rebuild? It would be nice if we could adapt to the new 6 speed.

 

[WoodChuck]

Think of your 47RE as a 727 with an OD bolted onto the back which is all it really is. These transmissions are the easiest autos in the world to rebuild. It takes mostly basic tools to work on with a few specialty tools required for the overdrive.

The 48 is a stronger trans and you could convert it over. Talk to these guys,

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