Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 47re upgrade?

[WLeech]

What's a poor boy's options on upgrading this stock 47re? Probably will pull a 5th wheel camper (12k-14k). I'm pretty sure it's my weakest link! Not much going on around Lynchburg, Va as far as diesel mechanics or parts for these trucks. I have a shop that will change the transmission but doesn't specialize in this type work. Like I said, money is tight!!! Any advice will be greatly appreciated! Billy

 

[WILLD420]

google search it a little, you'll find several places and lots of information. If you search this site a little, you'll find several threads that will tell you all you need to know.

 

[SnoKing]

No cheap fix for the transmission. Custom trannys was the way to go if you are going to keep the truck. You have 4:10's which are good for towing with the auto. Figure you are going to shell out 4K at least.



SNOKING

 

[EForbes]

If it is shifting ok, and does not have alot of miles, a valve body or shift kit like a transgo, raises line pressure some for better lock up, and it keeps the pump running in park, which is good for cooling.

 

[cerberusiam]

A shift kit and a few billet internal pieces to address the OE issues will help immensely. Add a billet cover TC and you can have a solid unit. Not gonna handle a lot of power but it will do pretty well for stock parts with some tweaking.



If you mind the drive, its gonna suck at some point, TRE is in Virginia Beach. Might be worth a conversation with Tim.

 

[WLeech]

Thanks guys, I haven't had a lot of trouble with the trans except for a speed sensor going bad and it was stuck in 1st gear. Maybe I should say "wouldn't shift into second gear". When that happened, I had my transmission guy pull the valve body and bench test the solenoids and whatnot. Everything looked good and he adjusted the bands and all was good. It has a fairly solid hookup when it shifts but sometimes it seems like it hunts for 2nd gear. Usually when there's no load or light acceleration. I. m thinking (after listening to you guys) that maybe a shift kit and a really good torque converter would give me some confidence in the truck. A custom transmission can break too and I'm way too far from a service center. Man I'd hate to break down pulling the camper and have to be towed in some unfamiliar city or town! Thanks again!!!

 

[SnoKing]

NOT a good idea to put a new Torque Converter in front of an older transmission. Lunch the transmission and you take out the TC also. Do it right and do it once. RR cost about $500 each time in and out.



SNOKING

 

[cerberusiam]

NOT a good idea to put a new Torque Converter in front of an older transmission. Lunch the transmission and you take out the TC also.

Thats like replacing all the bearings and R&P in the rear end becuase you upgrade the brake rotors. Its just not needed if the transmission is not showing failure symptoms.



Once you have a good TC its a lot cheaper to to flush it or send it in for checking IF the transmission has a problem down the road. Not upgrading because it MIGHT break is nonsense.



Fix the known weak areas, add a good TC, and drive it knowing you have gone above and beyond to preserve it. :-laf

 

[SnoKing]

Thats like replacing all the bearings and R&P in the rear end becuase you upgrade the brake rotors. Its just not needed if the transmission is not showing failure symptoms.



Once you have a good TC its a lot cheaper to to flush it or send it in for checking IF the transmission has a problem down the road. Not upgrading because it MIGHT break is nonsense.



Fix the known weak areas, add a good TC, and drive it knowing you have gone above and beyond to preserve it. :-laf

Most quality transmission builders will not agree with putting a new TC in front of an old transmission. If the transmission goes out is contamiates the TC and it is TU. There goes 1200 bucks!



SNOKING

 

[cerberusiam]

If the transmission goes out is contamiates the TC and it is TU. There goes 1200 bucks!

A TC is not junked just becuase the trans goes out. They are cut apart if it is warranted and damage is apparent but a lot of times a good flushing will take care of the issue.



Its situational to how bad the trans get trashed but I guarantee smoking the direct clutch pack or OD clutch does not warrant replacing the TC.

 

[vahunters]

what happened with the speed sensor? My transmission seems to have a similar issue. Just started with no warning will not shift higher than 1st or 2nd. What did you do to fix and and what did it cost?

 

[cerberusiam]

Speed sensors are cheap, just replace it and see if that fixes the problem. They go bad or will build up metal dust on the end and not read correctly which pooches the trans controls cuz the controller doesn't think the truck is moving fast enough. Gov pressure is set by speed to keep the shifts points accurate, when it doesn't see enough wheel speed it doesn't balance the pressures right to get the shifts right.



Sometimes you can pull them out and clean them, other times its replacement.

 

[vahunters]

Thanks Cerberusiam. Real dumb questions but where are these speed sensors?

 

[cerberusiam]

Should be on the OD section of the trans on the drivers side. It will be a plastic screw in sensor with 2 wires I believe.

 

[spacecadet]

My 2001 2500 4x4 AT with 3. 54 rear end hasn't done any significant towing in the first 10 yrs/100K miles of its life, but is about to start now that I'm retiring. transmission has been well-maintained, but I will do some kind of upgrade (maybe a TC and valve body). It does have one issue - when starting off cold every time it slips significantly in 1st gear under light throttle, but once it has run up to speed once everything is fine. After that it won't slip even under full throttle on a steep hill in 1st. Last month I did have the opportunity to tow a 7000 lb Lamborghini tractor and had no problems with slipping or improper shifting. Servicing the fluid, filter and band adjust makes no difference. Cerberusiam's comment above makes me think it might be the speed sensor being bad, resulting in low line pressures but that shouldn't go away after one run through the gears. Is this something I can just let go until I do the upgrade? I hate to mess with such a minor problem in advance of the upgrade if I don't have to.

 

[cerberusiam]

Is it actually in 1st gear or starting in 2nd gear? If you manually downshift to 1st does the same thing happen?

 

[spacecadet]

No, the same thing does not happen when the shift lever is in 1. What would cause the transmission to start out in 2nd only when starting out the first time of the day? This does not happen when the truck has been driven within the last 12-24 hrs. I notice it most when the truck has been sitting for a week or more and the transmission doesn't actually engage right away in rev for about 5 seconds. Again, only happens once.

 

[cerberusiam]

Sounds like it is starting in 2nd gear. If you haven't replaced the gov pressure sensor and solenoid start there. If you leave it sit for very long put the trans in neutral for a couple minutes to circulate the fluid and fill all the circuits again. Drain back over time will wil remove fluid from all the circuits and it has to cycle thru to refill everything.

 

[PKnight]

I don't want to hijack the thread but have a quick question for Cerberusiam. For my 47RE what is a good source for rebuild kits and maybe a torque converter? The truck is a 97 Ram 4x4 with Cummins and is completely stock with 180,000 miles. I also posted questions in the 94-97 second generation section. PK

 

[cerberusiam]

DTT and Goerend are both excellent sources.