Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Average Life Expectancy Auto Trans 4X4

[Joe Mc]

Anyone have a good idea of the average life expectancy of an automatic trans w/4 X 4 - in miles? I'm sure the type of service it's been through has a great deal to do with number of miles they'll last. So for arguments sake lets say the type service has been moderate.



Thanks

 

[TSRAM]

With 50,000 miles on the ticker with up until then moderate use mine was going south fast. I put the EZ on at 45,000 and had always serviced the transmission periodically. When mine was torn apart for the overhaul in Sept. I was showed and told it wasn't going to get me much further.

 

[bmoeller]

I have 173k (presumably, I'm 3rd owner so not 100% sure. ) on my transmission. the transmission itself SEEMS OK, but the torque converter is junk. Just babying it 'til next summer when I am hoping to have enough $ put together to get a "bombed" transmission.

 

[Lsfarm]

Life Expectancy

Hi Joe, not only is the way the transmission is maintained and/or abused have a lot to do with it's longevity, but the transmission right from the factory can be a good one or a real poor one.



The pluses and minuses of mass production often add up to an occasional really tight tollerance trans and also a lot of really loose transmissions.



I've overhauled an original 235K trans, and it was in much better shape than one that had only 30K on it that I worked on a month later. It can depend a lot on luck how long your trans may last.



One of the main items done during a custom transmission overhaul is to attend to all the loose tollerances in a factory trans. These loose tollerances are the cause of internal pressure losses. If enough pressure is lost [leaks through loose tolerances] then there isn't enough pressure to hold the clutchs engaged and slipping results.



So there really isn't any way to answer your question accurately. It often depends on luck !!! But on an average, a hard worked stock trans maybe 50K, a good trans treated nice over 150K .



Greg L The Noise Nazi

 

[BarryG]

Back in May Rocky Mountain Cummins had their annual BBQ and Open House here. They had a variety of speakers etc. One of the speakers was a Dodge factory rep and his topic was the "new 48re trans". He said it was built to last 150k for what thats worth.

 

[klaybus]

Trans Life Expectancy

108k & the internal leaking began. Are you Lucky? I'm now running the DTT & have nothing but



Clay

 

[AGibson]

I had 260k before any problems. Went to Vegas this past summer and it was 127 degrees. I was stuck on the strip and overheated. The TC went south soon after. I rebuilt it myself last month (286K) and learned a little more than I wanted to. I knicked the outer seal on the large overdrive piston and had no overdrive. I had to pull the back half of the transmission out and replace the seal (again). I went with upgrades from Suncoast. Hope to get another 286K.

Alan

 

[dezeldog]

Trans

I have 261k on mine and it is still going strong.



Jim

 

[WadePatton]

We just pulled a 47RH with 141k on it. Rarely serviced- if ever, working like a champ. Pulled tractors and hay several times a year.



It's in the shed out here if you want it.

 

[Oil Burner]

I talked to a contractor at work yesterday that has 200K on his 95. He is going to have it rebuilt this winter, but it has never been touched yet. His truck is all stock and treated very well.

-Jason

 

[mcoleman]

I've got 129,200 miles on mine and haven't touched it yet pulling horse trailers and my race car trailer.

 

[wlowe]

My neighbor has a '98 2500 auto (no mods) with 125,000 miles on it, most of which were pulling a 27 foot fifth wheel, including one trip to Alaska and back. No problems, just routine maintenance and adjustments.

 

[CumminsPuller]

My stock transmission with an EZ survived pulling 8,000 lbs to 26,000lbs, 300 out of 365 days a year. When it hit 198,000 miles I had the full DTT done. I posted pictures in a previous post some where on here of some of the internals of the stock transmission after it was torn apart.



Jason

 

[y-knot]

This is one area where there is no way to give an accurate number, there are just to many varibles. Do you two? if so were and how offten? What is the trailer weight? Where do you live? this has alot to do with it. How do you drive? What is your maintanence schedual like? Do you run stock? or have you added power ? if so how much and by what method? Do you have a TC controller? Mystry switch? Exhaust brake?? As you can see the list could go on, and on.

 

[RobbyRam]

I guy I work with had 385K miles on his '94 RAM Automatic when it finally quit. He never once had it serviced or changed any fluid from the day he bought it new.

I, on the other hand, changed my fluid at 50Kmiles, and the thing didn't last 5 miles after the service. I had it DTT rebuilt and now have 101K miles on it and I am not ever going to do anything but add fluid if it needs it. It's a closed system, so why do we have to change the fluid? The DTT installer told me that I'd still be on the original transmission if I had not changed the fluid!

Bob in Sacto

 

[harleebkr]

Re: Trans

Originally posted by dezeldog

I have 261k on mine and it is still going strong.



Jim

195K on mine and no problems- I service it every 45 k miles-changed the filter at 100k. I don't pull anything or haul anything but a ladder-easy duty for a HD truck







___________________

99 2500 SLT+ QC 4x4 LWB AUTO- 195K MI

 

[Sootscooter]

Mine went 100,00 miles, trans was still ok, t/c was shot. I overheated it real bad pulling the grapevine on a 104 degree day with 14,000 pounds of fifth wheel.