How does your 48RE shift?

[JD SLVR 03]

Well I think the odd shifts of the 48RE are normal. When towing it shifts great but unloaded in stop and go traffic it just seems kinda dumb. It almost never picks the right gear so instead of going when you hit the pedal it shifts starts to go and then decides it needs to shift again. I think Dodge could have put a little more time in the shift algorithm of the 48RE.



The biggest rave that I have about this transmission is the torque converter! It is way to loose in my opinion. Has anyone tried the ATS triple lock or the Art Carr converter in the 48RE yet. I think one of those converters would really wake this truck up from just off idle to 1900 rpm. Only thing is I don't know if 1200 to 1300 bucks for a converter is worth it. All I think it needs is something with a lower stall for say around 700 bucks.



JD

 

[JRG]

When my fluid is still cool, it will go into 2nd gear lockup till approx 40 mph then 3rd unlock, then quickly O. D. lockup. If the fluid is warm it won't lockup in 2nd gear at all. Wish it would shift from 2-3-4 all in lockup, and at lower RPMs.



* While in O. D. the converter will stay locked on decell till approx 45 mph. If I have O. D. off the converter will unlock at 50+ mph. This is oppisite of what one would like to see if towing.

 

[curatchko]

Originally posted by JD SLVR 03

Well I think the odd shifts of the 48RE are normal. When towing it shifts great but unloaded in stop and go traffic it just seems kinda dumb. It almost never picks the right gear so instead of going when you hit the pedal it shifts starts to go and then decides it needs to shift again. I think Dodge could have put a little more time in the shift algorithm of the 48RE.



The biggest rave that I have about this transmission is the torque converter! It is way to loose in my opinion. Has anyone tried the ATS triple lock or the Art Carr converter in the 48RE yet. I think one of those converters would really wake this truck up from just off idle to 1900 rpm. Only thing is I don't know if 1200 to 1300 bucks for a converter is worth it. All I think it needs is something with a lower stall for say around 700 bucks.



JD

To each his own, but I used to think the same thing and I put a triple disk converter in my 99 and while it was a great converter for towing etc... . didn't care for the sluggishness and turbo lag of a low stall convertor... After selling my 99 and having this 04, it's almost a relief with the looser convertor...



Each has it's benefits, but for cruising around I like the looser convertor.



Chris

 

[Pirate4x4]

I went the worry free route - I took my paper plated truck over to ATS in Wheat Ridge, CO, and had them put in their Super 48re, Triple Lok TC, and Trans Commander. The last thing I will ever worry about is my transmission having problems!

 

[JRG]

Can I get some more feed back on a "Transmission Commander" and if it will void warranty???



JRG

 

[Pirate4x4]

Originally posted by JRG

Can I get some more feed back on a "Transmission Commander" and if it will void warranty???



JRG

The trans commander controls when the torque converter locks up, and unlocks. It is AWESOME. I can lock up my TC at about 15mph and keep it locked. The trans commander has a green light that lets you know the TC is locked in. It's fully adjustable, and lets you choose where lockup should be. I have been driving with it at about the middle setting around town, as the lowest setting is a little hard core for around town use, and is more suitable for when I'm towing heavy loads. I was showing a friend how it works yesterday, and at the lowest setting the TC stayed locked in all the way down to idle, and lugged down the motor. Too cool. The commander is also the ticket for using an exhaust brake with our transmission.



I am doing a full article on the transmission, tc, and trans commander and what I think of it as we speak. I'll give the link to the story when it's done, if anyone is interested.

 

[Blownaway]

I actually wished the shifts were more firm at times, And I do agree the stock TC is way loose, it sucks that it just basically hangs at redline until it locks up. BTW Why would you replace the trans if it is under warranty and still working good.

 

[Blownaway]

I do agree it would be nice to put a good converter in this trans before the stock one comes apart and smokes the whole trans but I think I will wait until the warranty is up.

 

[LightmanE300]

Originally posted by Blownaway

I do agree it would be nice to put a good converter in this trans before the stock one comes apart and smokes the whole trans but I think I will wait until the warranty is up.

I'm with you man. Unless I somehow give in and put a bunch of high performance parts in the engine, I dont see modifying the trans till after the warranty is up.

 

[Pirate4x4]

Originally posted by Blownaway

I actually wished the shifts were more firm at times, And I do agree the stock TC is way loose, it sucks that it just basically hangs at redline until it locks up. BTW Why would you replace the trans if it is under warranty and still working good.

Because I've already put an exhaust, chip, air filter, etc. on it, I tow regularly, and I don't want to be stranded on the side of the highway in the middle of the Mojave desert with a smoked transmission. A warranty don't do me any good when I need to be at an event, and I can't make it because I'm stranded in BFE.

 

[JD SLVR 03]

Will the trans commander work with the stock converter or is it just for the ATS triple lock?

 

[Pirate4x4]

Originally posted by JD SLVR 03

Will the trans commander work with the stock converter or is it just for the ATS triple lock?

That's a good question. I don't know...

 

[inarush76]

DTT @ 2K

Did DTT upgrades and converter at 2K miles. Made big difference. Had quite a number of drivers and riders at Texas Rally in Kerrville. Got rave reviews. Quick firm shifts, pulls good right off idle, no need for a converter clutch controller due to the superior power transfer in fluid coupling. Lock up is solid. Stock converter was just too loose for me. DTT valve body helped clean up shifts.

My wife even likes it better! Towing with it seems effortless.

James

 

[Bill Stockard]

Re: DTT @ 2K

Originally posted by inarush76

Did DTT upgrades and converter at 2K miles. Made big difference. Had quite a number of drivers and riders at Texas Rally in Kerrville. Got rave reviews. Quick firm shifts, pulls good right off idle, no need for a converter clutch controller due to the superior power transfer in fluid coupling. Lock up is solid. Stock converter was just too loose for me. DTT valve body helped clean up shifts.

My wife even likes it better! Towing with it seems effortless.

James

James,



I'm saving up my $$ so I can have you do the same thing to my 48RE. My wife and I drove your DTT'ed truck at the LSTDR Texas Rally... no comparison to stock! We both are impressed! That's the way DC should set up the 48RE!



Bill