How much life left on the front band?

[tjm]

So my 48RE slipped a bit going up a hill in 2nd gear. Was behind a cyclist so traveling around 10 mph. I noticed the transmission slipped once as i was trying to maintain speed. So I adjusted the bands and tested again on the same hill. same result. Full disclosure the 1st time I adjusted the bands on this vehicle was at 90k. I haul hay, horse feed around ten times a year. hay is a fully loaded trailer with 14k pounds of hay. so close to 20K including the trailer. Could I have damaged the band due to neglect?

 

[p-Bar]

You are pulling a lot of weight for a stock transmission. Should have pulled it down to first manually. I'll let others chime in but you need to beef that unit up.

 

[Ozymandias]

Yeah, not much life left in that transmission. Almost flush the bolt.

 

[tjm]

Thanks for responding guys. 107K miles on the truck, almost 20 years old. Gonna start researching a rebuild

 

[p-Bar]

Check out this outfit best in the biz.
https://goerend.com/

 

[Ozymandias]

Check out this outfit best in the biz.
https://goerend.com/

Until you try to get one... probably easier to catch a unicorn then to get a transmission within a reasonable time.
I was in the process last fall and had to settle with a Suncoast Transmission because they actually want to do business.

 

[tjm]

I've read all the threads on rebuilds and yeah i know you have a suncoast because you were stuck on the outerbanks And its is working well for you @Ozymandias. And from what I've read the installer is just as important as the transmission itself. I have found some complete Goerand transmissions from a list of their installers throughout the United states. Just none in the dallas ft worth area. I'll be calling goerend to see if their installer list is up to date to double check. THere are some threads on here pointing out stadnard transmission in dallas as a good shop. They seemed to be focused more on manual transmissions.

I did run another test drive yesterday up another hill - just as steep. Put the transmission in 1st, climbed, no slipping. Did it again in 2nd, no slipping. I'll try again in D, and run more tests. Its clear that there isn't much adjustment in the front band so I have time to plan for a replacement.

I'm assuming that the rear main oil seal ought to be replaced while the transmission is out. Anything else?

 

[tjm]

Here is what I've found so far from Goerends installer list that calls out shops with 48re expereince.

https://redline-transmissions.com/dodge-ram-transmission-2003-2007-48re-stage-3/

https://blacksdieselperformance.net/shop/ols/products/47re48re-performance-transmission-stage-2

https://dynamictransparts.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=99_100&product_id=105

Looks like the redline is the better build for the dollar

 

[bigceltic]

I have been very happy with my BD Tapshifter transmission and from a quick search, there are "diamond" installers in the Dallas Ft Worth area. I posted a review recently.

 

[tjm]

I have been very happy with my BD Tapshifter transmission and from a quick search, there are "diamond" installers in the Dallas Ft Worth area. I posted a review recently.

Thanks @bigceltic I want to go with Goerend. Goerend did get back to me withn an installer thats around 75 Miles from me. They mainly work on Allisons and are a high performance truck shop. Not exclusively Transmissions. Top Notch Garage in Van Tx.

They are 3 months out for a slot. about a week to do the rebuild.

 

[Ozymandias]

Three months out.. yeah, that sounds very familiar to me.
Lucky you can wait that long unlike me.

 

[tjm]

Three months out.. yeah, that sounds very familiar to me.
Lucky you can wait that long unlike me.

Yeah I have the luxury of time which you didn't have.

I'm struggling with an approach. partly because the Goerend website install listing is as far as i can tell just a listing of rebuilders that have bought parts from them before. I asked the question what does someone have to do to get listed and haven't received a response yet.

Option 1: Use a rebuilder/installer.
Option 2: have a transmission drop shipped to an installer

I've been leaning towards option 1 because you interface with only 1 party. Although option 2 could literally be a same day service or a 2 day event. whereas option 1 is at least a week.

Option 2 has an advantage, if you go to the right rebuilder, that the rebuild was done by someone whose rebuilt 48REs before which may not be the case for option 1. In fact the shop that is closest to me that Goerend referred me to does about 10 transmissions a year - mostly Allison's, this shop is a high performance build shop. Is that enough experience and knowledge to rebuild a 48re? They did speak highly of Goerend parts and craftsmanship - the best out there.

If a company says the rebuilt transmission has been "tested" whats the likelihood that it wont work? the 48re is more or less drop the new one in right?

 

[BryanSmith]

The third link you listed is Dynamic Transmission out of Newman Lake, Washington. He's a one man shop that offers Goerend torque converters with his builds and an expert 48re builder. You can send him your transmission and he'll rebuild it. There won't be much oem left when he's done.

I've have one of his transmissions and recommend him without reservation. Call Jon directly and discuss what you want and your timeline. He's straight-forward, dependable and honest, and he worked with me to get things just right. I do have the advantage of being within a few hours of him, full disclosure.

I haul hay, animals, construction materials and run around a little over max GVWR with my truck camper. Jon built a solid transmission that shifts smoothly. The others I drove slammed into gear with the exception of Goerend and Suncoast. I didn't want that. I chose local and have been glad I did.

As you mentioned, be mindful of who you trust to install it. The trans cooler, heat exchanger, and all lines need to be properly flushed or it will cook a replacement trans. Not all shops have the equipment or knowledge to do this. Not all shops know it needs to be done.

Also, if you get one of Jon's transmissions, be aware he recommends using DEXIII instead of ATF+4. This requires a drain and fill of the transfer case with DEXIII as well. Don't skip that part of you decide to go that route. It works great and I have no complaints. I now service my transmission and transfer case every 10k miles. I feel it's cheap insurance after spending so much on a rebuild.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[petersonj]

I'll second Dynamic Transmission. I met Jon a little over a year ago when I arranged to have my brother-in-law's 47RE rebuilt by him. A low stall speed triple disc converter, a deep pan, and the transmission locks up in every forward gear. He gave me a thorough tour of his shop when I picked up the transmission. A very knowledgeable and conscientious guy.

- John

 

[tjm]

Spoke with Jon at DT. -The reason for the dexIII is the OEM clutches will chatter if not using a super slippery ATF4+. I'm going to go the route of Buying a complete transmission and then having a shop install - should take 1 day.

 

[Ozymandias]

Suncoast runs Dex VI in their transmissions.
Why use an outdated mineral fluid if there is a much better synthetic alternative readily available.
Please ask him that question.

 

[tjm]

Suncoast runs Dex VI in their transmissions.
Why use an outdated mineral fluid if there is a much better synthetic alternative readily available.
Please ask him that question.

So I did @Ozymandias . Answer is you can run whatever you want. With atf4+ it will shift a little more crisper. He also mentioned that I might not notice it, which is probably true. A Mechanic likely would. Jon also mentioned that Goerend also recommends dexIII for their converters as well.

 

[BryanSmith]

I'll add that ATF+4 keeps the internals looking like new. With DEXIII things are not nearly as clean when I drain and fill. I don't use a lube guard additive as some suggest with the DEX. I went with Jon's recommendation simply because he built it and warrantied it for a time period and unlimited miles. It's worked for me.

When I was deciding who I'd have rebuild my 48re, I found it was common practice to use DEXIII. The theory I read was that it slipped less, which in theory meant less wear. The down side is a shorter OCI. If you want to extend your OCI choose ATF+4. ATF+4 may be the best choice for longevity, or time may tell it's just personal preference.

I only put between 7 to 12k miles per year on the truck. It's not a daily driver. It's loaded heavy or towing 6k to 11k in the mountains. I change fluids and inspect everything annually. Because that's my use, it aligns with the shorter OCI. I verified with others who had success with Jon's transmissions and the DEXIII, so I was confident to try it.

Best of luck - Bryan

 

[tjm]

ok been interviewing installers around the DFW area. One Diesel shop has these transmissions in stock

https://randys-transmissions.com/dodge-ram-cummins-transmissions/04-5-07-5-9l-cummins/transmissions

Stage 2 would be the target.

Anyone have any experience with a Randy Transmission? Pun intended

 

[tjm]

Just did my 500 mile break in with the Randy's stage 2 transmission. I also upgraded the flex plate and replaced the main oil seal.

shifting from 1st to 2nd, is "crisp", "firm", "snappy" have not tried a WOT acceleration yet.
shifting from 2nd to 3rd is slightly less crisp, firm, snappy than 1st to 2nd.
shifting from 3rd to 4th is pretty smooth, sometimes firm.

Will be hauling around 2500 lbs of feed this thursday and the following week around 13K lbs of alfalfa cubes.