47RE behind a 92 Cummins

[JStokes]

I am looking for some help on controlling my transmission. I have a 47RE out of a 2001 Dodge that has a valve body for a 96. I believe with the hydraulic valve body it will shift 1-3 no problem. My concerns are lock-up and overdrive. I spoke with ATS and they said for sure I could control both with two controllers. I really just want to buy one. I called Suncoast and they put me on hold for a long time and a guy got on the phone and said that they didn't make an 47RH in 96 and stopped in 95 and that I need a new transmission. Anyway, the guys at Suncoast were no help and I think I will go to ATS if I can make a go with a single controller. Any other ideas. I really don't want to get this transmission behind this motor without knowing how it is going to perform.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

The guy who said the 47RH was not produced in 96 is correct. 96 was the first year of the 47RE, which has an electronically controlled governor, etc.



You can install a 47RH trans in a 92, but there's a couple things you need to know. First, you will need the engine adapter off of a 94+ truck. It's a bit deeper, allowing clearance for the lockup converter. The lockup converters are a little thicker, so it won't work with the stock 89-93 engine adapter. Also, with the addition of the thicker adapter, your trans/thansfer case will all get moved backwards about 1 1/2". This means you'll need to modify the rear trans mount. Drivelines will need to be lengthened in front, and shortened in back.



As far as OD and lockup control, you can do it manually which would be easiest. As far as I know, there is no single controller (other than a 94+ PCM) that will control OD and lockup.

 

[JStokes]

Thanks for the reply

I read this in another post.



"The 47RH from 94 thru the first half of 96 will work for the conversion, but, there are multiple updates and changes in that space also. Specifically to the OD to rectify some design problems. The absolute best core to have is the early 96 or a production run of July 1995 thru December of 1995. That trans had most of the updates and newer parts that were incorporated into the RE when it went into production in Jan of 1996. There may be a few exceptions but anything late 96 and up was an RE. "



I have the 01 transmission, it has 33k miles on it and I also have the adaptor plate and a new torque converter. I bought a 92 Cummins as well as the transmission and adaptor from a guy that was going to put it in a V-10 truck. He found a p-pumped motor and NV4500 and upgraded so I bought his old project. I am putting it in a 95 3/4 ton Suburban that had a 6. 5. I have the 6. 5 out, and I am going to clean it up, put in the mounts and add the Cummins. I just want to make sure it is going to work before hand so I don't have to turn the wrenches twice.



Anyway, when I bought the project the guy who had it had two friend that worked at the dealership. They built the transmission, and when I bought it I was told it was an 01 with 96 parts so it would shift. I called and talked to one of the mechanics and he told me that I needed to talk to the other but he is on vacation for two weeks, but he could tell me the plan for OD and lock. If I have to wait I will but I'm ready and I believe I have an 01 47RE with a RH valve body. I believe it is going to shift but lack OD and lock. I would like to combine both these functions so my wife can drive it, and I want to keep it simple to drive. I am just trying to figure out if a controller exists to do what I need.

 

[Philip]

My first question.



Was the sub a auto from the factory?

 

[JStokes]

yep

4l80E 4x4 with 4 10 gears. I had a built 4l80E as well but I was told I would be better off with the Dodge, and the adaptor plate was outrageous $$$.

 

[cerberusiam]

The 47RH from 94 thru the first half of 96 will work for the conversion

Thats correct. The 47RE went into production around Jan 96 so the early 96's had the 47RH. In addition to the VB they should have changed to the early OD unit to get rid of the electronic governor.



There is no combo box that I have found that will do both OD and lockup. ATS has a unit the includes the controller and VB to install an RE into about anything but it is rather spendy. ATS also has a lockup controller that would work if the sensor readings from the Chevy system will match the Dodge close enough.



The OD is a bit problematic but with a little ingenuity you should be able to work something out. If the 91 has a TPS then it is relatively easy to wire a solution that would auto engage the OD. I would be interested in what the original builders plan was for that.



What is your plan for the t-case? The factory one is not up to the task of carrying the Cummins and am not sure about adapters. Project sounds interesting. Good luck.

 

[Philip]

That helps with it being a orginal auto truck.



Don't know why they didn't leave the electronic valve body in the Dodge trans. It might have made hookup/control easyer.



Chevy works about like the Dodge does on a electronic auto. They send power to the shift solnoids and then the computer controls the grounds. With your orginal computer I would bet it could be made to control the dodge upshifts with not much effort.



The biggest problem might be getting a VSS hooked up and working properly to the Dodge trans.



With the GM trans lead unhooked that thing will be throwing all sorts of error codes/ check engine lights.

 

[JStokes]

I bit off a lot!

However I have a lot of enthusiasm and plan to make everything work like it came that way from the factory. As far as the T-case goes I have a Dodge T-case and I still have the Chevy. I was told that there were electronics I needed in the GM tranfer case that I need to run, and that with a little modification I could make it run.



BTW is there anyone here who could help me post some pictures of this conversion? I have tried to post some pictures and they have been too large or have too many pixels and I don't know how to get them to the right size.

 

[zstroken]

His Dodge PCM will not allow this transmission to shift at all. You need something to control the governor solenoid on a 47RE. He said he had a 47RH VB, but there is no Governor Pump in the 47RE to apply gov pressure. ATS makes a standalone controller, but it is about 1500 since you need a modified VB also. Best bet is to sell the 47RE and get a 47RH and then use some pressure switches to run the OD and lockup. Another option is the 4L80E. There are standalone controllers for these.



Also the chevy actually has electronic solenoids for each gear. The dodge only has the govenor solenoid to control the govenor pressure, this shifts the 1,2,3. Then has a solenoid for the lockup, and a solenoid for the OD.

 

[CSchafer]

Can't help much with the trans but the easiest way I have found to downsize images is this.

right clik on image file, scroll down to open with, select paint. once it is in paint program hit ctrl-w. It will have vertical and horizontal percentages. I usually have to knock them down to about 50%. after that hit ctrl-E and it will give you your size in pixels. just fine tune with the percentages. hopr this helps.

Cade

 

[SOswalt]

John,

The stock Gm t-case will work just need to change input shaft,(dodge 29) ( chevy 32). there is nothing else to due to the t-case .



Best to use manual switches push,toggle for lock up / and OD to run the trans if you have 47rh valve body!



Did you buy autoworld's mounts?