Been thinking about bullet proofing the transmission onmy 2006

[KennethS]

I have a 2006 Dodge Diesel 3/4 ton short wheel base with 40,000 miles. I do pull a enclose car trailer usually with a 1950 Ford Crestliner that I go to V-8 Ford National meets. This year we are showing a 1940 Ford Conv. That what we use the Dodge truck for. Otherwise it sits in the garage. I drive a S10 every day. I do have a transmission temp gauge to whate the heat in the transmission. What is the life of the transmission anyway?

 

[RDeFayette]

Are you after something specific or just wanted to tell us what you have? there is no "normal" life. "Normal" driving, routine pm, forever. Abuse it, dead tomorrow. Heavy towing and no abuse I've seen 'em go 300k+. It all depends on how much maintenance you do (or do not do). and how you treat it with the right foot.

 

[Bob V]

with only 40,000 miles I would first pull the pan and see how much material is in the pan. If there is too much, add a deep aluminum pan and completely flush/change the oil and filter and drive it. I would bet that you have MANY more miles before any problems. The 3rd gen autos where much better than the earlier ones.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Pull the trans and install a new Goerend torque converter and valve body......drive it for another 150k!

 

[DNDracing]

The 2005 in my signature is approaching 200K miles with a stock 48RE. I pull a 28' enclosed trailer that weighs just shy of 11,000 loaded up every other weekend from April - October (it's also a daily driver). I've drained the fluid (out of the pan only), replaced the filter, and adjusted the front and rear band every 30,000 - 40,000 miles. No issues or hic-ups.

I'm with Bob D, if you don't have a bunch of mods done to your engine, and you take care of the trans, it will take care of you. Lots of options if you want to beef it up though. I will do something if (or when) mine finally does puke.

 

[Hammer]

Been thinking about bullet prof the transmission onmy 2006

The only way to ensure a "bulletproofed" 48RE is a tight maintenance program on a stock motor and build it if your adding any extra muscle to tow with.
Transmission builders to choose from are many and their supporters are many.Ask who people think are the best would bring on a thread war that would only be rivaled by the old oil wars back in the day here.If you want the stock 48RE to last,leave the truck stock and take care of it with above normal maintenance,otherwise plan on beefing it up to handle the job.

 

[ProLean]

I have an 06 with a triple disk TC and a Goerend VB. I also added the high capacity pan and a temperature gauge. Shifts are nice and firm and I also installed the "Mystery Switch" to lock up the TC on demand. I think that is the key to longevity....regular service and being as nice to it as possible. I love the MS because it allows me to climb, use my torque and keeps the temps in check...just don't forget to unlock it when you finish your ascent!
My first triple disk TC didn't do so well as it had a defect where it wouldn't stay locked and eventually burned up (not abuse!) while towing. Thank goodness the TC builder was a stand up guy and even paid to have it replaced. That is why I installed the manual lock up switch. Peace of mind!

 

[KennethS]

I have two Dodge Diesel's. One is a 1995 Scotty Motor Home on a one ton and a Cummins Diesel engine. It also has a Goerend transmission that was done in his shop. He wanted to buy my MH. Nice person to deal with. He out in the middle of nowhere. I am back in Pa. a long way from him. I understand he does not do transmission work any more in his shop? Then there my 2006 3/4 ton short bed with 40,000 miles never been in salt or snow. Both garage kept since new. No rust on either of them. I do dress both of them up to look nice. Both engine are stock. The 95 has 61,000 on it which I don't think is high.

 

[AHolbert]

I "bulletproofed" my 04.5 with a Goerend almost two years ago and I'm happy with my build. I've only put about 200 towing miles on the truck and maybe 6000 miles altogether since the build and it's a different truck with the Goerend vs my previously stock, and reliable transmission. I simply wanted "peace of mind" given that my towed load weighs almost two and a half times the weight of just the truck.

The biggest difference is when towing but truck shifts firmer and the more throttle, the firmer the shift whether towing or not. Throttle response is much better and is more akin to driving a manual from that perspective. I also seem to get a little better mileage and I suspect that's because the modded transmission is simply putting more power to the ground. The difference isn't much but it's there, approx 1 to 1-1/2 mpg better than with the stock transmission. Scott said all the stock components looked fine when they came out of the transmission and I wasn't experiencing any problems.

I had my transmission rebuilt by Patriot Transmissions in San Antonio, Tx. Scott, the owner is a great guy to work with and had no problem answering all of my questions and concerns. Goerend got out of the servicing/repair/rebuild business and focuses on manufacturing only now. Finding a shop that uses their products might be your biggest issue and I wound up taking my truck to Scott in San Antonio. I live in the Dallas-Ft Worth area.

 

[KennethS]

Goerend did my 95 Dodge Diesel Motor Home at his shop several years ago. He even anted to buy my Motor Home. If you ever talk to him ask him about doing my MH. I sent him a e-mail about my 2006 and I need to talk to him about it. He said he take care of me. I know he does not do trannys anymore in his shop anymore. He has the house next door where you stayed while he done you truck.

 

[p-Bar]

I "bulletproofed" my 04.5 with a Goerend almost two years ago and I'm happy with my build. I've only put about 200 towing miles on the truck and maybe 6000 miles altogether since the build and it's a different truck with the Goerend vs my previously stock, and reliable transmission. I simply wanted "peace of mind" given that my towed load weighs almost two and a half times the weight of just the truck.

The biggest difference is when towing but truck shifts firmer and the more throttle, the firmer the shift whether towing or not. Throttle response is much better and is more akin to driving a manual from that perspective. I also seem to get a little better mileage and I suspect that's because the modded transmission is simply putting more power to the ground. The difference isn't much but it's there, approx 1 to 1-1/2 mpg better than with the stock transmission. Scott said all the stock components looked fine when they came out of the transmission and I wasn't experiencing any problems.

I had my transmission rebuilt by Patriot Transmissions in San Antonio, Tx. Scott, the owner is a great guy to work with and had no problem answering all of my questions and concerns. Goerend got out of the servicing/repair/rebuild business and focuses on manufacturing only now. Finding a shop that uses their products might be your biggest issue and I wound up taking my truck to Scott in San Antonio. I live in the Dallas-Ft Worth area.

I was in the same boat bought a 14k 5er and wanted peace of mind . did about the same as you all Goerend and the old one was like yours not beat up. Very happy I did it.