Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Can I rebuild my own 47RE

[NWhitney]

Can I buy all the newer better bits for my current "Stock" 211k trans and rebuild it myself? Right now my trans still works. I was thinking of a getting all of the new clutches and steels, seals, pump, bearings, and bushings. Then putting in an ATS 5 star converter and a ATS VB with a billet input shaft (just so i sleep better). I have a smarty Revo and want to add RV275's for millage.



As far as expertise... I have not done any transmissions but I have rebuilt hydro pumps and rears in tractor and such in our farm shop.

 

[Skydiver]

Every man has a first for every thing. With a clean table, special tools and enough time anything is possible. My mechanic friend says the 47 re is easy to r&r. When the time comes I will pay somebody to beef up my transmission for the warranty and the piece of mind. Now if I have been involved in at least 3 47re reboulds I would do my own. It's all about confidence.

NWhitney, only you know what you are capable of, and only you know if you can deal with the outcome.

I am speaking from a "jack of all trades" point of view.

Good luck.

 

[WILLD420]

Did mine last year. Do yourself a favor and get the Dodge Factory Service Manual book. Between that book, and my 727 Torqueflite manual I almost had enough reference material to figure out things I forgot in the 3 weeks it took to do mine.

Buy or borrow the tool for the overdrive unit. You will also need a press to compress the overdrive spring. Some things you may be better off having a transmission shop do, like the bushings that need to be replafced etc.

I'd shop around a little for parts. I ordered a bunch from pactrans and they were pretty $$$. My local shop was able to order parts for the same or less and I didn't have to pay shipping.

I bought a deep direct drum for mine, and used the thinner 1st/Rev clutches with a thinner pressure plate. I was able to fit 7 direct clutches in mine and I bought an upgraded direct hub that had 2 feed holes for the clutch rather than just one.

Do a LOT of research first, they aren't all that hard to set up, but you really need to have time and a good transmission shop within driving distance in case you need select fit snap rings or thrust washers.

Good luck. I'm really happy with mine, but I will soon be modifying it to have lockup in 1st and 2nd gears.

will.

 

[drag racer]

If you have high mechanical aptitude, a lot of patience, the right special tools, study the heck out of the factory service manual, and do not rush, sure you can. With that said, a 4-speed overdrive model is the not the best choice for a first foray into automatic transmissions. There are awful lot of detail parts and opportunities to make mistakes (especially in the valve body), although the core of Mopar Torqueflites are pretty straightforward. The good thing is, almost all of the little detail hard parts in these trans. are still available direct from Mopar, if you know the part numbers. Good luck if you decide to tackle it!

 

[NWhitney]

I was thinking that I would buy the valve Body as one complete unit so I don't have to mess with all the little bits. I have the Mopar Manual, and a 20 ton press. The one thing that I am having trouble finding is the Oil Pump. Local trans shops don't really exist out here... so were can I buy parts online? There is a local farm mechanic that has rebuilt a couple of 727's and says he will help me if I get stuck.

 

[drag racer]

Good strategy on the valve body! Hey, if you do buy a rebuilt or aftermarket modified valve body, I am desperately looking for a stock, unmolested, complete 47RE valve body core - I will pay your core charge and some beyond that - PM me if you will sell it.

Here's a couple of trustworthy suppliers I use:
Automatic Transmission Parts & Transmission Coolers, Makco Distributing
Oregon Performance Transmission, Inc.

 

[WILLD420]

You're on the right path. BTW, the valve body isn't all that complicated. But, if you are looking for extras like 1st and 2nd gear lockup of the t/c you are better off buying one from a company that specializes in that. Right now, I'm kicking the idea around of getting one from DTT.

If I was smart enough to figure out what mods I need to do it myself, I'd fix it and post up the stuff here.