Friend wants an '05 or '06, need input

[Lordsman]

A friend wants to buy a 3rd gen. /'05 or '06, 4 door Laramie, SB, with an automatic. He tows a bunch so needs the best factory setup. He's heard there may be a overheat issue with the auto transmission when towing.

Need your input on transmission and any other area's of concern.

Thanks for the help, Mike.

 

[jelag]

I own several trucks... . 01, 04, 04. 5 and 05... . we have all sticks because we tow all the time..... My BIL has an automatic in his truck... he tows 15K lbs and on the first trip out he had installed a temp gauge in the transmission... . he was running 260 to 280 pulling hills and had to install a cooler, and filter that holds a qt of transmission fluid. . he now has towed over 100K miles without troubles... . but his wife likes to drive sometimes and she likes the auto. . otherwise he'd have a stick.....



BTW if he wishes to tow a lot... and up to 15K lbs. . he needs to get the 06 so it interfaces with the exhaust brake... . otherwise he'll have to upgrade the 05 auto to handle the exhaust brake... our 04 went 160K miles before its first brake job with an exhaust brake pulling 20K lb of trailer. .



Hope this helps... .

 

[Lordsman]

Thanks for the advice Jim.

I see that as of now, according to TDR#54(pg 103), there is no upgrade available for '05 auto e-brake applications.

Love the e-brake on my '99 for sure.

Are there any lift pump, track bar, or any other glitches he needs to be aware of ?

Sounds as if the 48re is a good transmission overall, but has minimal grade torque converters and vb's? I dont think he'll bomb the truck, but you never know!

By the way this guy is jumping ship from Ford so lets give him a break so he gets a decent Dodge.

He pulls a 5th wheel with a pontoon boat behind that, but I dont know the weights of each, but sounds substantial.

Thanks again, Mike.

 

[PGreenleaf]

You cant lockout the 4th gear ( overdrive) on the 05 model 48re trans. The 05 48re does have the towhaul feature but no permanent OD lockout. The 06 48re has both features . I'm sure that pulling double like that there will be places where he'll want to run 3rd gear steady. Cant do it on the 05.

However if he is buying used and the deal is for a 05 ,BD diesel performance makes a OD lockout for the 05. Cost around $275. 00 Oo.

 

[TMoe]

There seems to be two coolers on my 2006 transmission. The first one is located back by the transmission and has engine coolant going to it. The fluid then goes to a second air cooled cooler in front of the radiator. Is the 2005 the same way? AC condensor, PS cooler and intake air cooler also up front with radiator. Wow, lots of coolers!

 

[Me808garam]

Just want to say 06s are getting scarce. Might have to settle for an 07' in 5. 9 is almost exstinct also. Call les at Dave Smith in Kellog Idaho. 6. 7s might be all thats left. 07 5. 9s are the last 5. 9s to be made I think ?Can someone shine some light on that??If its true? Buy one From Les Best Deal Ive found. Thanks Ron

 

[Regcabguy]

Ditto!

DSM has lot's of 5. 9 CTM's on the lot still. They anticipated the lag time on the new 6. 7 pickup chassis'. Les is the way to go with existing stock or special order. They have Ca certified vehicles in stock or can order them. 1-800-635-8000x1302.