More automatic questions

[SAndreasen]

Do you guys tow in overdrive or not ? I have 410 rear ends and with the 235:85 tires I’m only good for 55 mph. Driving slow sucks but what sucks worse that that Is laying on your back pulling a transmission out of a dodge

 

[Tractorat]

Only on the freeway going faster than 65mph

 

[rotohead]

If you're running a stock transmission and torque converter and tow fairly heavy in OD it's a matter of time before you roast that transmission. You can tow in OD if you get a better TC then stock and up the line pressure with a shift kit or upgraded valve body.

 

[SAndreasen]

Would a shift kit help the stock transmission? It shifts good and firm now . I don’t use overdrive when towing unless it’s. An empty trailer I figure it won’t hurt the engine to scream a little better than pulling the guts out of the transmission. Pretty much do the same thing with my 5 speed .

 

[Ozymandias]

A shift kit is always good addition for this transmission, no matter how it is used.

 

[SAndreasen]

What are some good ones

 

[rotohead]

Most popular shift kit for the 47RE is Transgo.

 

[rotohead]

One small issue that people should be aware when modify a valve body in any way like with a shift kit is if there is a time in the future you use that valve body as a core return most suppliers will not give you full credit and will reduce it by up to 50%. Found this out the hard way. Worth asking first before to avoid disappointments and budget surprises.

 

[Ozymandias]

I installed Transgo too but others claim that the Sonnax one is easier and good too.
If you fear the install of a shift kit then just buy a fully set up valve body, that's definitely easier to install.

 

[rotohead]

Ive done both the transgo and just upgraded to a RevMax custom tow valve body and I like the RevMax much better although it cost me more.

 

[SAndreasen]

Is it still considered bad to manually shift an automatic? I’ll look up some of these shift kids

 

[Ozymandias]

Is it still considered bad to manually shift an automatic? I’ll look up some of these shift kids

I've never heard about that, please tell me more.

I've always shifted manually if I felt it is needed to help the transmission find the right gear. So says the OM too.

 

[Ozymandias]

Ive done both the transgo and just upgraded to a RevMax custom tow valve body and I like the RevMax much better although it cost me more.

Are you happy with it in general? I'm going to go to install one of them into my buddy's 99'. Are all pressures etc. set from RevMax from factory, was it a real PNP install? The instructions and documentation from RevMax really sucks. There was nothing at all in the package. I need to figure out everything myself it seems.

 

[rotohead]

Are you happy with it in general? I'm going to go to install one of them into my buddy's 99'. Are all pressures etc. set from RevMax from factory, was it a real PNP install? The instructions and documentation from RevMax really sucks. There was nothing at all in the package. I need to figure out everything myself it seems.

I'm very happy with the tow custom RevMax valve body. Yeah instructions suck but I viewed a number of YouTube videos (one from RevMax and many others from other vendors and owners). The one issue I struggled with until I figured it out is getting the parking rod in and out. What I do now is put the rear axle on jacks (I think you could disconnect the drive shaft), in neutral and then turn the wheels or driveshaft back and forth slightly to get the parking rod to fully insert. Good luck.

 

[SAndreasen]

I didn’t see anything on the rev max site for a 47re

 

[rotohead]

I didn’t see anything on the rev max site for a 47re

https://revmaxconverters.com/product/47re-towinghd-valve-body/

 

[SAndreasen]

I might have to look into that

 

[SAndreasen]

I've never heard about that, please tell me more.

I've always shifted manually if I felt it is needed to help the transmission find the right gear. So says the OM too.[/QUOTE
That’s just what people used to say just a wives tale more than anything I think

 

[SSage]

I haven't run a stock trans in a long time, but I don't remember any issue pulling trailers with my trucks in OD, just don't lug it. I put over 60K on my first diesel Dodge auto trans pulling a 10K travel trailer and then a 16K 5th wheel. It didn't last long with the 16K trailer though, I lost the reverse/OD shortly after buying that monster.

I pull small trailers at 70 mph. My issue is I need to be at 70 plus mph with the 3.55 gearing. So I usually tow in 3rd at 60 mph unless I'm really light. But my last pull was 17K, so I needed the RPM anyway. On the 2003 I use OD pulling 10K all the time if I can keep the rpm around 2,000 or more, that truck has 4.10's and it pulls much better in OD than my 2wd 2nd gen 3.55 truck.

These trucks need built auto's though, they do upgrade the OD section when you get a Goerends build or equivalent. I think they add more clutches. Its a big improvement over stock, the power actually goes to the tires. Just adding a shift kit and a good toque converter is night and day better. But, upgrading the 47 to the 48 parts is wise. I have over 60K and years of heavy towing on my DTT build in my 2nd gen, still shifts great. I pulled a toy hauler with it for years, now its my "farm" truck.

 

[SAndreasen]

I was at just a little over 24000 gross today with my 5 speed when I get over 16,000 I don’t use overdrive which doesn’t take long when you are 13.000 empty . With the automatic if I have anything but an empty trailer i don’t use overdrive