Auto transmission Experts!!!

[agoldbach]

Please forgive me for somewhat rehashing old postings, but I really need all your help to draw the info all together and to answer some new questions.



1. Is DC in the process of developing a 48RE 5-speed auto transmission or not. If so, do you know if the HO will only be offered with the 48RE or will there be an uprated version of the 47RE?



2. The Allison is a very impressive piece of hardware. The TorqShift is even more impressive. Is the new auto supposed to have all the features that these transmission's do? (external filter, etc. )



3. If the HO is offered with the 47RE in the future, can you buy aftermarket parts to upgrade it so that it is bulletproof or will it always be the weak link due to it's intended design specs.



4. I have been reading from all you traditionalists who prefer a stick in their trucks that for real heavy towing, only a manual will due. I was taught the opposite stance, autos are more efficient at getting heavy loads moving from a dead stop, and the don't require you to drop boost pressure when you step on the clutch, without having to double clutch it.



I have been getting conflicting information from TDR members, local dealers, friends, magazines, other websites, etc. I really hope that you all can help me clear up this confusion. I really want a five speed auto and I am really looking to stay with Cummins instead of a Powerstroke with the TorqShift. Please let me know what you know! Opinions are more than welcome, especially if they come from experience, however, if you could differentiate between opinion and hear-say, and actual hard facts you have, it would greatly help me to discern the truth! Thanks again for all your input!

Adam

 

[David Muench]

Originally posted by agoldbach

1. Is DC in the process of developing a 48RE 5-speed auto transmission or not. If so, do you know if the HO will only be offered with the 48RE or will there be an uprated version of the 47RE?

I keep seeing this everywhere. Why do people keep calling the 48RE a 5 speed? It's got a 4 as the first digit. In dodge-speak that means 4 speed, like the 47RE. The 48RE is an uprated 47RE basically. The second digit indicates how much power it can handle, and since 8 is bigger than 7. . (But the numbers are just relative, don't read 700 vs. 800 ft/lbs from that)



So, in a nutshell - The HO will be available only with the 48RE (or 6 speed stick), and the 48RE is a beefed up 47RE. It has internal upgrades. I haven't heard anywhere that it has an external filter or any more brains than the 2003's 47RE.

 

[agoldbach]

I keep seeing this everywhere. Why do people keep calling the 48RE a 5 speed? It's got a 4 as the first digit. In dodge-speak that means 4 speed, like the 47RE. The 48RE is an uprated 47RE basically. The second digit indicates how much power it can handle, and since 8 is bigger than 7. . (But the numbers are just relative, don't read 700 vs. 800 ft/lbs from that)

Thanks for the info Dave. I was unaware that the first number was the number of gears. You learn something new everyday!



Thanks Again, Adam

 

[David Muench]

No problem. I've done a lot of research on this subject as I'm trading from a 6 speed HO to an auto (47RE) non-HO truck. I want the auto this time around (the stick is awesome for towing, but I don't tow often enough to put up with it the rest of the time), and I don't want to wait for the 48RE. I also don't want to know what the HO/48RE may cost. So once I'm happy that my truck isn't a lemon, I'll hit up DTT or ATS or someone and bomb the engine and be one happy camper.



FWIW, there's another thread here where a guy who works at the 48RE plant has weighed in. . Don't expect the 48RE to be a miracle transmission. I don't think it'll compete at all with the Allison or the Ford thing. It'll probably just be strong enough to not fly apart with the HO in front of it. I don't think it's going to be on par with a good aftermarket 47RE at all.



If Dodge has a clue, I'd hope they'd be introducing the 48RE, making sure it's not a lemon, and then dropping the 47RE entirely. After that I've got to think they're working on an optional 58RE somewhere. Otherwise they're going to get clobbered by the other brands both having 5 speeds, and the Ford now getting a VGT turbo. .

 

[amsoilman]

I have a Dodge Brochure in my hands that says a 5-speed Automatic will be available with the HO engine! They do have a 5-speed automatic behnd the "Hemi" engine now, but this is not the transmission that will be in the Cummins equipted trucks.





Wayne

amsoilman

 

[David Muench]

I've heard about that, I think DC confirmed that was a typo. There was a thread about that months ago. .

 

[amsoilman]

David,

Are you saying the 5-speed is a typo on Dodge's part? I drove the 5-speed behind the "Hemi". Don't know what they call it, but it is definately a 5-speed automatic! I also think they have this same transmission in the Dakota's.





Wayne

amsoilman

 

[Wiredawg]

Gotta Qualify my answer!

I voted auto... for my wife's truck when I buy her an 03 3500 QC 4X4 longbed.



I actually enjoy jamm'n my 6 spd. I might enjoy the 03 w/ that 48RE.



Wiredawg

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Yes, that's a typo. The 545RFE is only for the Hemi and optional at that. The 47RE is what's available now in the standard 5. 9 Cummins and the 48RE will be available next year in the HO 5. 9. You can verify the 545RFE information in their latest press release - https://www.turbodieselregister.com/prelease090102/5_SPECIFICATIONS.pdf (they don't mention the 48RE in that one because it's not available yet). The 48RE was mentioned in the press kit back at the intro of the '03's and it was a mistake that it was in there as I was told. You can see that info in the old press release here - https://www.turbodieselregister.com/hdlaunch/04_Specifications.pdf

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by agoldbach



I really want a hive speed auto and I am really looking to stay with Cummins instead of a Powerstroke with the TorqShift.

Adam

I agree with David, go with the current truck either 2002 or 2003 with the auto and then upgrade with the DTT or ATS. I have the auto and would love to have the 6 speed but could not pass up the deal I got on my truck, so I'm shiftless I don't think you can assume that the Torqshift or the Allison are that great in these big trucks, have read a lot of information that states many problems. In theory I like the Allison but in practice? and look what it's connected too

 

[David Muench]

Originally posted by amsoilman

David,

Are you saying the 5-speed is a typo on Dodge's part? I drove the 5-speed behind the "Hemi". Don't know what they call it, but it is definately a 5-speed automatic! I also think they have this same transmission in the Dakota's.

What Steve said. I just meant it was a typo that it applied to the diesels. Hemis have it of course.

 

[David Muench]

Re: Re: Auto transmission Experts!!!

Originally posted by Pit Bull

I agree with David, go with the current truck either 2002 or 2003 with the auto and then upgrade with the DTT or ATS.

Another thing to think about. . The HO is a $600 upgrade for the engine, and the 48RE will probably cost something more than the 47RE. . So maybe another $400 to upgrade to the 48RE (a total guess, I admit).



That $1,000 could go a long way towards upgrading that 47RE.

 

[agoldbach]

Just let me confirm this with you all. I could order my 3500 SRW with the standard Cummins and the 47RE, then go to ATS and have a superior product to the 48RE? Then I could also get some engine upgrades (I am partial to the Banks Powerpack) and have a bulletproof monster? If not, I guess that I have to wait for the 48RE with the HO. Let me know your thoughts.

Adam

 

[Pit Bull]

I would say that was true with the 2002. ETC could be bombed to a higher HP/Torque than a ETH. I don't think anyone knows yet on the new 2003 common rail engine You will be your own warranty station.

 

[David Muench]

Originally posted by agoldbach

Just let me confirm this with you all. I could order my 3500 SRW with the standard Cummins and the 47RE, then go to ATS and have a superior product to the 48RE? Then I could also get some engine upgrades (I am partial to the Banks Powerpack) and have a bulletproof monster? If not, I guess that I have to wait for the 48RE with the HO. Let me know your thoughts.

That's my plan. The only issue is warranty. . But I'm not going to kid myself. I won't be able to not tinker with it and void something.



As far as Pit Bull's point, he's right about the 2nd gens. But it seems like the 3rd gen HO/non-HO engines are much more similar. Most seem to think it's mainly computer changes. Dodge has even hinted of an uprate kit for the ETC that would be just a computer reflash. The only physical differences people seem sure about are the extra oiling on the HO. They also apparently run at the same compression ratio now. The 2nd gen HO ran at a higher compression ratio, which was why it's bombing potential was trickier to achieve.



I guess bottom line - no matter what your opinion on the transmission wars, I think most sane people would agree that a DTT or ATS'd 47RE should be vastly superior to the stock 48RE.

 

[agoldbach]

Dave,

That's pretty much the conclusion I have come to. I have another question for you. If I were going to have an ATS upgrade installed, is it possible to get all the same upgrades that their 47RE high performance package has without buying an entirely new transmission from them. If so, do you have to send them your current transmission to perform the upgrades or can you go to an authorized dealer and have it done there. Finally, I grew up in Buffalo and went to college in Syracuse so I drove past your neck of the woods many, many times on my commute to and from school. Can you recomend any good diesel shops in the area. Since I moved to the seacoast region of New Hampshire, Blue Chip Diesel is really the only local shop that I know of and they seem somewhat limited in their selection.

Thanks

Adam

 

[David Muench]

I don't know. I haven't researched it yet. I plan to put a winter on my truck before I play with the transmission so I can be satisfied that the truck's not a lemon before I start voiding things. I haven't decided between ATS or DTT either (and let's not let this thread go that direction ).



If I were you and you wanted solid answers, I'd call ATS. I plan to call around once I get ready for all of this (heck, I don't even have the truck yet ).



I don't know of any diesel performance shops in the area. I've never heard of one. Friends of mine run Tufftruk Off Road in Rochester, but they aren't diesel related at all. Again, if you want an ATS transmission, I'd call them and ask them where you should have it installed.