Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 47RE rebuild working great!

[PKnight]

I just finished a rebuild on the 47RE in my 97 CTD Ram 4x4 with near 200,000 miles on the clock. I bought a rebuild kit, shift kit, solenoid kit and torque converter from DTT almost two years ago and finally got around to installing it. The TC is a Goerend 3 disc unit that came through DTT. The project went well but took much longer to do than I had thought. The parts looked like good quality but were not well labeled and the shift kit instructions, especially the pictures were poor. Otherwise I was happy with the parts. The truck had been totally stock until the transmission rebuild and modifications. I had always thought the factory TC was a bit loose but everything had worked well until recently. The front band apply wedge broke and became dislocated so I barely had a 1-2 shift. I believe the governor solonoid was the root cause of the problems. The remainder of the transmission was in great shape but having the parts, I replaced all the normally wearable items anyway. With the new parts installed and with about 350 miles on them I am very happy with the results. The new TC is much tighter, dropping my non lock-up acceleration RPM's by about 400-450. The shifts are nice and firm. The truck drives and sounds much like my Son's 03 with a 48RE. The change in exhaust note surprised me but is a result of the tighter TC. If anyone has questions or comments about the project please post

 

[Missouri Mule]

Sounds like you did a good job!

 

[PKnight]

Thanks, M. Mule. Now have 500 miles on it and couldn't be happier. Almost absent is the non-lockup "drone" it had with the factory TC. The truck drives more "spirited" than before and with fewer RPM's I think my fuel mileage will be better in local driving. I had to adjust my idle up a bit because the tighter TC slowed it to the point of stalling when not fully warmed up. It was slower than spec already so I just put it back to about 850. PK

 

[raxley]

Transmissions are harder to disassemble and reassemble than engines, correct? I guess you did this before? If not, did you just use the literature that Goerand gave you or did you have a book or something?
I have a 12 valve that I'm picking up tomorrow, and I don't want to give it more power until I get the transmission stronger than stock. I guess there are no parts interchangeable with the 48re, I've got one of those that's already 'beefed up'.
It sounds like you really accomplished something worthwhile there-congratulations!

 

[PKnight]

Transmissions are definitely more "tedious" than engines but both require about the same amount of attention to detail. I had some previous experience on 727 TorqueFlites in my 70 Challenger but this was my first 47RE. There are many similiarities with the 47RE being just a bit more complicated. I think many of the mechanical parts between the 47 RE and 48 Re are similiar. They all evolved from the basic 727 and grew through the years. Go to the Goerend web site and you will find lots of information including videos on how to repair this and that. The factory service manual from Chrysler is a very good source of information as well. It's the 3" thick manual that I paid $110 for when I bought my truck. It has repaid the cost many times. I found that the numerous pictures I took were a real benefit when I went to reassemble. It doesn't take long to forget if a part went this way or that and you won't know the difference until you fire it up for take off. There are several experts on this web site that can help if you need it. I don't claim to be an expert by any stretch of the imagination but will be happy to try to answer questions if I can. Good luck!

 

[Cosmo]

My 47 rebuild is taking forever. The overdrive unit crapped out (chunks of the case broke off and the topmost wire snap ring let loose 1/2way around, causing slippage that nuked all of the overdrive and overdrive direct clutches) but the rest of the trans looks great still. I sourced high energy clutches and kolene steels locally, but got shorted one of the direct clutches. Then I was out of town for a week. Then the replacement clutch showed up but it was an OE one, etc. etc. etc. So I should have my replacement replacement clutch tomorrow, and this weekend I should be able to get it put back together again.

I bought the ATSG manual off Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/ATSG-Dodge-Techtran-Transmission-Manual/dp/B005PGRE62)

My transmission experience is limited - I worked with a 30-year Chrysler trans tech who supervised me while I rebuilt my 68RFE, and I looked over my own shoulder while he rebuilt my 47re as I was doing valve springs, pump springs, fluids, block plugs, and installing air bags.