6 speed vs Auto

[ERohloff]

48RE reliability ...

Also remember that the 48RE is coupled to a highest available torque Cummin's. What would be it's reliability behind a lower torqued DM or PS?



Or how would the Allision fair behind the Cummin's ... .



Food for thought... ...



Agree that the 48RE appears to be a much improved transmission... Give it the benifit of the doubt... Time will tell, but it's got a good start!



bob r...

 

[hasselbach]

Wrong answer and mis-information about the 5 spd. It is not needed with the low reving hight torque of the Cummins.

WHAT? That makes no sense at all. You die hard dodge folks kill me. dodge has an inferior auto transmission with 4 speeds, yet you can't get yourself to admit it that chevy and ford have better units with 5 speeds. My dmax has an allison and it rocks! The tow haul mode, where is automatically downshifts is awesome. The lower first gear, and higher 5th gear is a real plus. Its living fine behind my 800 ft lbs slug, and tows 20,000 lbs regularly (40 foot horse trailer)

Why not a 5 speed or a 6 speed auto? I would love to have a lower first gear in my 48re, and another gear on top to improve mileage when I'm doing over 70 mph. The auto (and the 6 speed for that matter) both could benefit with a higher final drive ratio on the top end to lower RPM's in cruise mode. The auto needs a lower first gear as well for towing heavy loads, plus a tighter converter, the stock one is junk. It stalls at 2200, yet the peak torque is 1700 rpm. . Doesn't make sense. Still, I haven't decided if I want to shift a 6er yet? The auto is hands down faster stop light to stop light. . But I'm sure slower in the midrange while towing.

 

[hasselbach]

Well - It probably would have lasted even longer if you towed out of OD! If I'm on a flat, depending on my speed, I may put in in OD while towing.



A very wise performance transmission builder (who is famous amongst us diesel enthusiast's) is the one who told me you should tow out of OD as the TC does not lock while in OD, which causes heat and fluid shearing.

It locks in OD, so whomever told you that was blowing smoke up your skirt. What a joke towing in 3rd too. . Yeah, that makes a lot of sense to wind out the Cummins to save the inferior transmission. Hell, the Cummins makes ungodly amounts of low Rpm torque, yet the goofy auto set up has a loose converter and now you are telling me not to tow in 4th, but to keep the r's up in 3rd to save the transmission? Huh?

 

[mberry]

hassselbach,



I will agree with you that Ford and GM have better auto's. I never had any problems at all with my '02 auto, but I hardly ever towed with it and when I did it was only 3500lbs at most.

 

[robert4570]

CTA is dead on , my 99 3500 CTD auto transmission has had several transmission failures in its low 33,000 miles . The truck rarely towed and when it did it was far below the max weight rating.

All maintenance was done according to the book . Go figure.

Fed up i am awaiting a 05' 3500 DRW CTD 6spd 2 wd.



My $. 02.

 

[tschwab]

OK, maybe I was not correct on whether the TC locks when in OD, I was under the impression it DID NOT. I have been told, it is much easier on the tranmission when towing to LOCK OUT OD when towing, this prevents the engine from lugging, keeps a higher transmission line pressure and prevents the tranmission from shifting back and forth between 3rd & 4th all of which cause a lot of heat for the tranmission oil.



Tow however you want, it is your truck and transmission. These are general guidlines I was told to help protect the tranmission and keep the oil at a lower temp. It seems to work, just watch your transmission temp gauge (if you have one) and you will see what I mean.

 

[Udaloy]

I always towed in OD with my '01. If a truck cant tow in its tallest gear - It aint worth having



. 02

Without reading all the posts, 'cause this is an auto/manual bash, I had an auto in my '02, and I ordered the manual this time. All because it was highly suggested that I don't pull in OD. Jnelson hit it on the head, it ain't worth it. Why would I want to leave it in 3rd, and only do 55-60 mph? It's that or run the engine at 2900 rpm the whole time. Is that worth it? My . 02

 

[hasselbach]

I talked to Stephen or Stefan at DTT. . Looks like its going to take a few bucks to improve the 48re (converter, input shaft, valve body, controller for the lock up), but in the end, sounds like the improvement is well worth it. So maybe I'll keep my 4 speed for a bit longer rather than trade it in for the 6er.



I tow my 4 horse trailer (12 lbs) in OD all the time, and so far no problems with heat or hunting for 3rd.

 

[macdaddy]

clif

Having had a high performance unit from ATS diesel Dont even think of a stock auto and being happy with your trucks performance. The stock stator is a DUD The torque converters in todays after market high perf transmissions are bar none the only way to go. The only thing is the price of addmission roughly 6K when you add the double deep pan, trans,valve body,torque converter,and comander (torque converter controller). So unless you want to opt for the perf trans, consider banging on the manual for awhile. I just picked up mine on 10/30/04.



05 3500 4X4 Laramie DRW QC 6spd 4:10's 610 white stock for now and I just might leave it that way.

Sold 99 3500 4X4 SLT DRW QC ATS trans (full boat),edge EZ, guages Banks exhaust.

 

[DGStrate]

OK, maybe I was not correct on whether the TC locks when in OD, I was under the impression it DID NOT. I have been told, it is much easier on the tranmission when towing to LOCK OUT OD when towing, this prevents the engine from lugging, keeps a higher transmission line pressure and prevents the tranmission from shifting back and forth between 3rd & 4th all of which cause a lot of heat for the tranmission oil.



Tow however you want, it is your truck and transmission. These are general guidlines I was told to help protect the tranmission and keep the oil at a lower temp. It seems to work, just watch your transmission temp gauge (if you have one) and you will see what I mean.

I understand what you are saying, and I agree... You definitely do not want the truck to be "hunting" gears between 3rd and 4th. I do know that my "600" tows GREAT in 4th gear (TC locked up) and rarely downshifts, so for now, I am not concerned too much... I have already been in touch with DTT about a few mods to my transmission just to be on the safe side. I may decide to do these, but have been overall, very satisfied with the 48-RE compared to my 47-RE and lower powered 2001. 5.



I agree - the 48-RE stock converter is a DUD compared to a 6-speed OR an aftermarket converter

 

[TCrawley]

I have the 6 spd and compared to my Father in laws auto. there is no contest. His is much quicker. In saying that, I am still very happy with being able to pick the gear I would like to drive in. To each there own.

 

[DPelletier]

I have the 6 spd and compared to my Father in laws auto. there is no contest. His is much quicker. In saying that, I am still very happy with being able to pick the gear I would like to drive in. To each there own.

I would agree. From a stop the auto is way quicker. How do the M/C ads go;

"cost of an NV-5600 - $1315. 00", " the ability to shift into 4th going up an 8% grade at 20,000 lbs GVW: Priceless".

Depends what you want your truck for.



Dave