Here I am

48re designed to fail

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Smarty Questions

got tst box working and yea!!!

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Palmtree said:
I found this thread on the web. I hope it hasn't been tossed around here already. I freaked when I read it cause I'm nearing the 50,000 mile mark.

http://www.dieseltrans.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=473

dont let someone elses interpretation scare you into thinking you have junk for a transmission, yes it has short falls but not anything to really be worried about, unless your racing. if not a vb will put your transmission into the 200k mark with out issue. many many satisfied customers can vouch for this. :cool:
 
It does sound pretty scary though.

I just had my fluid and filter changed out at the local trans shopas I do every year. The tech said nothing to worry about . But the other dude who drained it mentioned on his notes (on my receipt) that the old fluid was dark and there were metal filings in the pan. I'm concerned about this . What does it sound like to you?

about 50,000 miles on my 48re
 
just about everyone I know with a 3rd gen and no mods have had no problems whatsoever and one person in particular who drives his stock 04. 5 rather hard already has 140,000+ miles on his and no problems plus a couple of 3rd gens with mild mods and in the 50,000 mile area and still with no problems, so it looks like the 48re is doing o. k. considering what some people are trying to do with their trucks on stock trans
 
Glad to hear it. We use ours to tow our trailer about twice a year and the rest is highway no towing. I change the fluid and filter every year. . regardless of the mileage.

Thanks for replying I feel better
 
Palmtree said:
I found this thread on the web. I hope it hasn't been tossed around here already. I freaked when I read it cause I'm nearing the 50,000 mile mark.

http://www.dieseltrans.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=473



From what I recall, the 04 (or is it 04. 5?) and up models have a thrust bearing instead of a thrust washer. I've had 2 48RE equiped Rams and no problems with either. Like you I change fluid, and take good care of the trucks. But I do work them hard - mostly towing miles pulling 8 to 20K loads (usually about 14K).



From what I've seen the 48RE is at least as reliable as what's offered in other trucks. My only beef is the fiasco with not getting the 05's approved for exhaust brake use- I let DC know my frustration and think they really dropped the ball with how that was handled. Other than that the only improvement I want is another gear or two - but it looks like DC has that solved with the 07s!
 
That was a chicken little post that circulated when the 48RE was launched. THe author has a monetary interest in transmission upgrades. It looks like the 48 has been a great transmission since its launch. Some people have had failures, but much less than the 47 and I would guess that it would be close to the competition.



Bryan
 
Posm said:
That was a chicken little post that circulated when the 48RE was launched. THe author has a monetary interest in transmission upgrades. It looks like the 48 has been a great transmission since its launch. Some people have had failures, but much less than the 47 and I would guess that it would be close to the competition.



Bryan

Posm said:
That was a chicken little post that circulated when the 48RE was launched. THe author has a monetary interest in transmission upgrades.



you hit the nail on the head there.
 
Posm said:
That was a chicken little post that circulated when the 48RE was launched. THe author has a monetary interest in transmission upgrades. It looks like the 48 has been a great transmission since its launch. Some people have had failures, but much less than the 47 and I would guess that it would be close to the competition.



Bryan





Ding-Ding.



We have a winner.



We have 67k miles on ours, and the less 15k with a smarty. We tow heavy. . Very heavy... like this. . https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176242



We also do alot of offroading, and are spinning all 5 or 6 tires (darn unlockable front-diff) in the dirt and mud with our other Gooseneck attached that weighs 19k Lbs.



O. D. is starting to barely slip when you gently roll into the throttle right at 1,900rpm, but it holds fine with medium to aggressive (WOT) throttle.



Merrick
 
Palmtree said:
It does sound pretty scary though.

I just had my fluid and filter changed out at the local trans shopas I do every year. The tech said nothing to worry about . But the other dude who drained it mentioned on his notes (on my receipt) that the old fluid was dark and there were metal filings in the pan. I'm concerned about this . What does it sound like to you?

about 50,000 miles on my 48re



It's comletely normal for any auto to have some small flecks of metal in the pan. I wouldn't worry about it.



Scotty
 
Palmtree said:
It does sound pretty scary though.

I just had my fluid and filter changed out at the local trans shopas I do every year. The tech said nothing to worry about . But the other dude who drained it mentioned on his notes (on my receipt) that the old fluid was dark and there were metal filings in the pan. I'm concerned about this . What does it sound like to you?

about 50,000 miles on my 48re



The first time the fluid is changed a some pieces of aluminum are normal. After that if there is more than a very few be concerned. Pieces of brass are bad at any time.



FWIW, changed fluid in mine at 60k and NO metal flecks in pain, very little stuff on the magnet and no thicker goop on the bottom. :)



The problem with the thrust washer was fixed in 04 and wasn't really an issue unless towing heavy and using an EB. Not very many failures traced to that particular part.
 
Last edited:
“ That was a chicken little post “ and comments like that is one of the main reasons technical builders like DTT no longer put up posts anymore or get as involved with technical threads that so many of you have told us you found helpful in the past.



For those of you that may not already be aware of what this is about I will clarify. I was not going to get involved in this post as I KNOW that your truck was a 2005 and this did not apply to you so you were ok.



As it is apparent that there are a few of you out there that may not be aware of why this post was initially put up a few years ago I will tell you.



If you look at the post you will note it was dated February 5,2004. As DTT head office is also the teaching facility and tech support for our builder base we see and hear a lot of commonalties before a lot of the other after market that ship out full units to their dealers.





As soon as we saw the design changes we knew there were going to be issues and it was soon confirmed by our dealer base who were also seeing the same thing nation wide .



The post was put up to warn the customers that had these units that there had been a design change by Dodge that we felt did not make sense and we were seeing the issues that were coming up as a result.



We did not have to point it out to anyone and could have remained quiet and helped out only our own customer base. We thought it was important enough of a design issue to warn people about even though we were also educating our competitors in the process.



For awhile we were even accused by the other aftermarket vendors of creating a fix for monetary purposes only. All of that we took in stride because we knew better and implemented changes in our units.



The R&D facility for Chrysler called Bill several times and asked us to forward our data to them as they were working on a fix for it. We did so a couple of times at their request and they made several washer changes that are now implemented in the 2005 trucks. For those of you builders reading this , you will remember there were a few part number changes for the washer system until they finalized it.



So that is it in a nutshell. The sad thing here is “ CHICKEN LITTLE “ as it was not only pointed put the issue but addressed it and gave Chrysler data so they too could get on it.



NGM Diesel and MCummings are giving transmission advice based on personal opinion that will undoubtedly cost you guys money. Believe whatever you guys want.



Bottom line they should have told you right away that your transmission was already updated and not to worry , they should have known that . What do they bring in the way of technical expertise I can only guess.



To the table DTT brings 28 years of technical expertise and experience. We re – designed the internals of this transmission to give you guys the longevity you were looking for it did not happen by magic. Just to name a few of these items you may recognise that have changed the industry are things like Billet Shafts, Billet Pistons, Billet Servos, Billet Accumulator, Billet 3rd gear piston, special sealing rings, voltage regulators, noise filters.

We designed this stuff because we understand how they work, to some of you that still makes a difference .
 
Stefan Kondolay said:
If you look at the post you will note it was dated February 5,2004.



The post was put up to warn the customers that had these units that there had been a design change by Dodge that we felt did not make sense and we were seeing the issues that were coming up as a result.



... they made several washer changes that are now implemented in the 2005 trucks.



Bottom line they should have told you right away that your transmission was already updated and not to worry , they should have known that.





I did not know the knew trucks were updated.



Stefan, could you, or your Dad, add a note on the post on your website to address what vehicle years this affects?



I'm sorry if my $. 02 led anyone wrong.



Merrick
 
Stefan Kondolay said:
“ That was a chicken little post “ and comments like that is one of the main reasons technical builders like DTT no longer put up posts anymore or get as involved with technical threads that so many of you have told us you found helpful in the past.



For those of you that may not already be aware of what this is about I will clarify. I was not going to get involved in this post as I KNOW that your truck was a 2005 and this did not apply to you so you were ok.



As it is apparent that there are a few of you out there that may not be aware of why this post was initially put up a few years ago I will tell you.



If you look at the post you will note it was dated February 5,2004. As DTT head office is also the teaching facility and tech support for our builder base we see and hear a lot of commonalties before a lot of the other after market that ship out full units to their dealers.





As soon as we saw the design changes we knew there were going to be issues and it was soon confirmed by our dealer base who were also seeing the same thing nation wide .



The post was put up to warn the customers that had these units that there had been a design change by Dodge that we felt did not make sense and we were seeing the issues that were coming up as a result.



We did not have to point it out to anyone and could have remained quiet and helped out only our own customer base. We thought it was important enough of a design issue to warn people about even though we were also educating our competitors in the process.



For awhile we were even accused by the other aftermarket vendors of creating a fix for monetary purposes only. All of that we took in stride because we knew better and implemented changes in our units.



The R&D facility for Chrysler called Bill several times and asked us to forward our data to them as they were working on a fix for it. We did so a couple of times at their request and they made several washer changes that are now implemented in the 2005 trucks. For those of you builders reading this , you will remember there were a few part number changes for the washer system until they finalized it.



So that is it in a nutshell. The sad thing here is “ CHICKEN LITTLE “ as it was not only pointed put the issue but addressed it and gave Chrysler data so they too could get on it.



NGM Diesel and MCummings are giving transmission advice based on personal opinion that will undoubtedly cost you guys money. Believe whatever you guys want.



Bottom line they should have told you right away that your transmission was already updated and not to worry , they should have known that . What do they bring in the way of technical expertise I can only guess.



To the table DTT brings 28 years of technical expertise and experience. We re – designed the internals of this transmission to give you guys the longevity you were looking for it did not happen by magic. Just to name a few of these items you may recognise that have changed the industry are things like Billet Shafts, Billet Pistons, Billet Servos, Billet Accumulator, Billet 3rd gear piston, special sealing rings, voltage regulators, noise filters.

We designed this stuff because we understand how they work, to some of you that still makes a difference .
I have a good friend and neighbor who works here in Michigan at the crysler proving grounds as a product design eng. Could you please explain where the R&D facility is and located,and what there fuction related to crysler is?Thanks coobie :)
 
I think its a great trans. Both of the work trucks I drive have them. One is a 05 Bought in Nov of 04 2wd DRW,The trans on it let go at 230+K on it. Its been Averaging 10k+ a month with a trailer attached. It just broke on Tuesday in VA. Fluid and filter changed every 25k. The other is the 05 4wd DRW I drive every week. The Convertor let go at 43K with a trailer attached. Covered under warranty. The reliabilty of the trucks convinced my boss to get rid of his 6. 0 05 Ford. He drives a New 06 Dodge DRW 4wd for his personal use.
 
Thrust washers

FWIW, Dave Goerend sent me new washers when I had a local trans shop install his vb and 3 disc converter. My truck is an 04 with 30k miles. The tech at the shop said there was virtually no wear on the original washers, but I had them replace them with the supposedly upgraded washer. There was nothing technically wrong with my trans, I just hated how mushy it shifted. All is well now.
 
coobie, it was the facility in Indiana, their email they provided for transfer we used started with daimlierchrysler and went on from there. (sp) . That was the state the guys were in that requested the data, where they sent it to or where the guys we spoke to were calling from is anyones guess. The conference calls were with more than one person so the exact guys I honestly cannot remember, nor was it really important to us. What they were interested in were the pictorial library and the wear documentation. They had a lot of questions thats for sure. If your buddy is on the inside and he is aware of it he can probably fill you in, it was not a big deal for us as we had addressed the issue in our own system by the time they contacted us .
 
Stefan Kondolay said:
coobie, it was the facility in Indiana, their email they provided for transfer we used started with daimlierchrysler and went on from there. (sp) . That was the state the guys were in that requested the data, where they sent it to or where the guys we spoke to were calling from is anyones guess. The conference calls were with more than one person so the exact guys I honestly cannot remember, nor was it really important to us. What they were interested in were the pictorial library and the wear documentation. They had a lot of questions thats for sure. If your buddy is on the inside and he is aware of it he can probably fill you in, it was not a big deal for us as we had addressed the issue in our own system by the time they contacted us .
Stefen,Thanks for your reply. coobie
 
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