48re

[CSundquist]

I have heard nothing good about the second generation auto trannys, so I was dead set on buying a 6 speed, until I heard about the 05 6 speeds had a hold put on them because of a problem with them. I was literaly ready to buy a 6 speed and the dealership told me that dodge put a hold on all 6 speeds and told them not to sell any of them. So instead I bought a 48RE partly because I haven't really heard of any problems with them.



Are the new 48RE's holding up, can I depend on this transmission or should I expect it to kill over between 50,000-100,000 miles?

 

[thejeepdude]

At stock power levels you should get 100K easily. I would say 100-150K before rebuild... but I can't wait until mine wears out so I can fix it with aftermarket parts!

 

[Dieseldumb]

Read my post: 48RE gone South----

Hope you have better luck than I have had so far!

 

[Coolslice]

I think the 48re sucks. I REALLY wish I would have gotten the 6speed, and I'm thinking real seriously about trading my truck. I guess it's unfair to say that the whole transmission is not up to par, but the torque converter is crap. I was pulling my atv the other night on my 5x8 trailer, and my truck would have to rev to 2400 rpms just to start moving from a stop, and it's the same way on a boat ramp with even just a little Jon boat. I really think my 48re would blow like a cheap firecracker if I were to actually put a big load behind it... It's no wonder these trucks get such terrible mileage. Other than that, I've gotten used to the wacky, unpredictable shifts. As easy as I have been on my transmission, I don't think I will make it to 30,000 miles w/out some form of work needing to be done to it.

 

[Eliminator]

6 Speed on hold

The 6 speed cost me 4-5 weeks, ordered my truck in January and took delivery 10 weeks later . I like it , did not want the automatic.

 

[PFerris]

I have a 2003. 5 HO with 48r3, about 23,000 miles. I tow a 36ft fifth wheel and have had no problems with the transmission. I tow in the hills of western PA and the truck does very well. .

 

[ECappleman]

Other than that, I've gotten used to the wacky, unpredictable shifts. As easy as I have been on my transmission, I don't think I will make it to 30,000 miles w/out some form of work needing to be done to it.

Me too.

Isn't there a flash (TSB) for the trans shift?

 

[Coolslice]

Me too.

Isn't there a flash (TSB) for the trans shift?

I'm not sure. When I got the truck, it would shift VERY hard into OD, but once I got the TSB for white smoke and poor mileage it seemed to shift a little smoother.



I remember when I hadn't had the truck but a few weeks and a buddy of mine wanted to take a spin in it. I took him out and he wanted to see what the truck could do, so I got on it pretty good from a stop light up to about 65 mph. The transmission was just at a loss on how to handle that. It had wierd shift points, and one shift the RPMs didn't change at all, and the next shift the engine revved way up in between shifts and then it double shifted. I think that was the first time I realized that I had made a mistake and Dodge automatic transmissions didn't just get a bad reputation for no reason at all. I'd trade my truck in a heartbeat for a nice 555 with the NV5600.

 

[thejeepdude]

Yes, the stock TC sucks. It would be nice if DC improved it. However, with a new TC/VB and some internals work, this transmission is way better than rowing through the gears, and just as reliable as the manual. Sure in stock form it is lacking, but I bought it for it's potential. It cracks me up seeing people say "I'm trading my auto in for a stick", because for the 5K they just lost in the trade, they could have had a faster, more efficient, bulletproof transmission.

 

[Coolslice]

Yes, the stock TC sucks. It would be nice if DC improved it. However, with a new TC/VB and some internals work, this transmission is way better than rowing through the gears, and just as reliable as the manual. Sure in stock form it is lacking, but I bought it for it's potential. It cracks me up seeing people say "I'm trading my auto in for a stick", because for the 5K they just lost in the trade, they could have had a faster, more efficient, bulletproof transmission.

I thought that way myself, but I don't anymore. I have seen a few guys around here who have some of these 5k-6K dollar transmissions from "the most well know companies" and still have some serious issues. While they are a great improvement over stock, I certainly wouldn't call them bulletproof. Add that with the fact that these guys paid an extra $1100 for the 48re from the factory and figure in the difference in fuel mileage and I don't really think anyone is making a bad decision by trading an auto for a stick. I guess every situation is different though.

 

[Bertram65]

Mine has been great, no problems, the 4. 10s are the best gear for the auto, makes off the line better and puts the engine at the right RPM on the highway. Seems like those who have had problems are often running more power, 3. 73s, and 35" tires. I had 35" tires on for a while with the 4. 10s made it more gutless when towing, and that was only a 5000# boat, never tried it with the 5th wheel, went back to 265s.

 

[flattracker]

COOLSLICE do you seriously believe that a TST box and 35 inch tires is "taking it easy on your transmission" ? If you trade for a stick expect to spend 1200 to 1500 on clutch mods to hold that combo.

 

[JRhinehart]

I have 33K on my 305/555 48RE and just towed 10K tag trailer to LA and back (5600 miles total) with nary a problem. I do believe I will be changing the fluid and filter soon though. I really don't like the "guess what gear it is in now" feel of it, and don't even TRY to come off the line hard, it WILL be at a loss as to what gear it really needs, but having said that I kind of like it. I am only getting 17. 5-18 MPG half town/half 55mph drive every day, wish the mileage was better.

 

[JCleary]

If I had to do it over, I would have purchased a 48re with 4. 10 gears.



I'm sure I would have dumped the 5 grand right away into upgrading, though.



Right now my only complaint about the manual is that I can't really outrun an automatic. I guess I need twins and a TST to make up for the shifting

 

[CLAYTON]

The 48re is a good transmission stock. You can put about 80hps extra before you have to start worrying about upgrades. I did toast my 48re a little while back but that was because I was pounding on it with the boxes turned up with 10k behind me through the Rockies. If you keep it with 40-60hp for a little extra kick with the 48re you'll be fine. Hot rodding around an extra 80hp and you'll be fine. . anything above that and you might start to have problems. Also if you have an automatic transmission I would get a transmission temp gauge to monitor it. Heat is a big factor in killing your transmission.

 

[PKnoerzer]

Regarding heat - how hot is too hot at the pan? Are auxilliary coolers needed for towing, or is the factory package OK? I do have a Mag-Hytec pan and guage.

 

[CLAYTON]

Anything over 220 and you want to start watching it real close. I think the dummy light comes on around 260-280. A deeper pan and trans cooler will help prolong the life of the 48re

 

[BHolm]

I have three trucks with the 48re. I happen to like the transmission. My dually has over 80k and no trans issues. That truck is always hooked to a trailer 8k lbs empty, up to 20k loaded. My '03 QC did lunch its 48re at 67k miles and was replaced under warranty. The problem was a faulty fan clutch switch. The new trucks use electronics to engage the cooling fan, which is pretty stupid if you ask me but..... I think the addition of a trans temp gauge is all you need if you tow with it stock or with a small power boost. Both of my work trucks now have transmission temp gauges after the failure of the one. I have NO faith in the "trans temp" idiot light in the dash.



Future work trucks will be six speeds for easier use with an exhaust brake, other than that, I have been really happy with the 48re, much happier than I was with the two Allison equipped Chevys I had before them.

 

[Rineholio]

I have 22k on my 03 with a TST. I run it on 4/4 and at least 12k of those miles are pulling a 10-12 thousand pound toyhauler all over the place and through lots of mountains. No problems yet. It does shift a little funny sometimes, but I've only noticed it at lighter throttle as I'm slowing down to go through towns/traffic and adjusting my speed. I think a lower stall torque converter would be the ticket (but yeah, I want all the bells and whistles eventually) because it would reduce the shock due to less rpm difference between the torque converter and gears as the torque converter locks up.



A couple of things I do to help mine, especially when I'm towing hard.



1. Manually shift into second gear and it will lock up about 25mph. Good for slow hills and to lock it up going through towns to help cool it off. I also shift into neutral at lights instead of holding it in drive with the brakes if it's hot and I'm doing lots of stop and wait.



2. Ease up on the throttle, step back down when pulling hard to help reduce the shock of the torque converter locking up.



3. Change the fluid in the pan and the filter every 20k.



The auto is great in SoCal traffic, but I wish I had an exhaust brake for steep slower downhills! If you understand your machinery and its limitations, you can help it out a lot.

 

[Coolslice]

COOLSLICE do you seriously believe that a TST box and 35 inch tires is "taking it easy on your transmission" ? If you trade for a stick expect to spend 1200 to 1500 on clutch mods to hold that combo.

Well, yes. I don't run my TST on anything over 1/1. I have had it on 3/3 or 4/4, but just very briefly. I don't race my truck nor do I ever really tow anything other than a small boat. The 35's are just a recent addition, and like I said before, all of the quirky things that my transmission does now were all present from day 1 w/ out a single mod... I think I'm relatively easy on my truck compared to these guys who are hauling these huge 5ers through the mountains. .



I know I would be better off with 4. 10s . I think a decent torque converter would solve my problems. If I ever do trade, I will leave the new truck stock after seeing what little good, if any, all the money I have spent on my current truck has done.