Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) How many miles on your stock 48RE ? Do I need to think about a new one?

[John - K5AWO]

My truck has 97,500 miles on it and although the transmission seems to be the same as ever... . I read where a lot of guys are getting nervous when they have 100K on their 47RE and 48RE transmissions.



If the fluids are changed regularly and the transmission isn't abused, why shouldn't it go a lot longer than 100K?

 

[champspa]

I put 116k on my stock transmission pulling a trailer and tractor with a combined weight of 14300 not including the truck and it burnt the torque convertor at that point . Put an aftermarket convertor in and rebuilt transmission ( because it was out) and am now at 180k . Mine is a 47re.

 

[klaybus]

transmission

If the fluids are changed regularly and the transmission isn't abused, why shouldn't it go a lot longer than 100K?

As I understand it from Bill K. . The trans isn't really that weak. But at 100k miles or less if the seals go bad & you begin to have internal leakage thats the beginning of the end. Also, like a clutch the auto have clutches that just plain wear out after so long. Combine high transmission miles with say a little bit or more of towing & the transmission is just plain gonna wear out IMHO FWIW... .



Clay

 

[John - K5AWO]

Fred Swanson, your mailbox is FULL

I tried to reply to a private message from Fred Swanson, but as the message is pretty germain to the discussion, I am posting it here because Fred's mailbox is FULL

John, I have them in here a lot with 200K on them. Just keep good service, and watch for issues, and there is no reason it won't last that long.

Thanks for the info Fred. The only "issue" that it has right now, is a modest delay going into forward gear. This seems to occur even when it is idling and I have it in neutral. We get a lot of those 5-7 minute traffic lights and I have always been in the habit of putting my auto-trannys in neutral to keep from heating up the fluid, AND, to keep me from going to sleep and creeping out into cross traffic.



Don't happen everytime, but this evening at one stop light, I dropped it back in gear and toed the throttle a bit before it had engaged the clutches. The feeling was unsettling so I just got off the throttle real fast. I try to be sure it is solidly engaged before trying to pull out. But if it gets any worse than it is, I am going to just have to leave it in gear all the time.



I'm no expert on auto-trannys, but I suspicion that the seals on the torque convertor are getting worn. I plan on draining the pan (drain plug) with each engine oil change and topping it back up with fresh fluid. Any easy way to be sure the torque convertor gets flushed out? Have to break the lines and dump in new oil while it pumps old oil?



I notice by your web site you represent DTT. By this fact, I presume you prefer their transmission over the ATS unit? I know that Bill K. is one awesome feller with customer service... . he proved that by helping my son PJ with his and he knew up front PJ wouldn't be needing any DTT parts for a long time.



Thanks,

John

 

[John - K5AWO]

I might add that this truck was purchased at 87,500 miles. Carfax says that in the 12 months prior to me buying the truck, that it covered 40K + miles. Now if you take into consideration that it has a goose neck welded to the bottom side of the bed with a removable head... . a 5th wheel platform (hitch was gone), and a very heavy duty drawbar receiver hitch... . And a 50 gallon Trax Fuel tank system.



Now I may be just a tad dense, but my math teacher told me that adds up to a pulling rig??

 

[nuv22]

Question. Does the stock TC have a drain plug that you can remove to drain?

 

[Fred Swanson]

John. depending on how much material you see at fluid changes, it could be the filter, it could be the pump bushing, the low gear clutches or a slew of other items. I will usually pressure check it first, but then drop the pan to have a look see.



No, on the drain for the TC.



FYI, I cleaned out my inbox, too.