48RE ......questions on rebuild

[Paddy McMahon]

Saving my $ to go see Browns Diesel for a complete rebuild , billet shafts, new VB & Torque Conv. in what I hope to be a few weeks. As a man who has only experience with manual transmission vehicles until my present truck I was hoping to ask a few questions before I authorize the rebuild work.



Is it possible to have a 48RE built so that I can put it in gear and crawl up and over nasty terrain while idling like I could with my old manual gear box when in granny? I miss being able to chain up and idle over muddy, snowy conditions without ever using the throttle.



Is it possible to have the 48RE transmission provide enough direct connection to give compression braking when descending very steep hills in 4WD? In granny I could simply let out the clutch on my old 5spd first gen Dodge and crawl down any hill. Presently in 4LOW 1st gear my 48RE just speeds down (freewheels)the hill-scary.



Can you change the gearing in an auto transmission to create a lower first gear for more power off the line? If so, how does this affect the driveability of the vehicle on the street?

Thanks in advance for the replies & information.

 

[fox]

A tight fluid coupling converter is as close to what you are asking for. In low range (4X4) it might be the closest.

You can get lower gearing for the 1st gear but it is usually for the lower powered vehicles, and may to be best for a diesel.

 

[PGreenleaf]

Install a manual torque converter lockup switch . Lock it up in low gear and you got your solid drive just like the manual trans. Only way it will stop is to stall motor.