New Automatic Owner

[aMcBurnett]

I finally broke down and bought an automatic in my 2007 5. 9 maily for the wife and they still scare me like the pre 2003 trannys did. any suggestions to help me monitor it and keep it behind the motor?

 

[BGlidewell]

Welcome. There are PLENTY of topics on the 48RE. the search function will help you find a lot of information. This transmission is not bad. There are plenty of people who get 100k + out of them.

 

[Motorhead]

First of all... Welcome to the TDR. The 48RE seems to be a good transmission in STOCK form with a STOCK engine. Build the HP up on the engine then you had better have the trans built up also. I would keep it serviced, avoid un-necessary wide open throttle shifts and pull it out out overdrive manually when on steep hills or towing heavy in hilly terrain. The trans is better off with higher RPM in a given gear than lugging. Same goes with a stick shift. I pull my G56 out of 6th and run the RPMs at 2300 in 5th when pulling hills towing. I watch my boost and EGTs and down shift out of 6th at about 15 psi boost if I will be pulling a grade for a prolonged time.
I am SURE you will will get a bunch of different answers with your question.
I have NEVER lost an automatic or stick shift driving this way in the last 36 years. 30 of that was driving delivery trucks at UPS!

 

[aMcBurnett]

Im running bone stock and plan to keep it that way. ya know until something brakes and then ill fix it. do you suggest a temp gauge or anything? I had a 96 for about a year and went through 4 trannys in 44k miles (under warranty) just dont want to do that again.

 

[BGlidewell]

see here:
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/towing-hauling-rv-forum/232035-gauges-revisited.html

 

[aMcBurnett]

thanks Glidewell

 

[BGlidewell]

thanks Glidewell

no problem, glad to help.



You may choose to put the information about your truck into your signature so people can understand what specifics need to be answered in response to questions you might have.

 

[LBARTLETT]

I pull heavy with my non-modded 06', you be fine if you don't abuse it, use the tow/haul when towing and lock it out of OD with heavy loads in big hills and you'll be fine, get a trans. temp gauge of some type, I use a Edge insight (monitors only), although not as exact as really good mechanical gauges it serves my purpose and was cheaper

 

[cerberusiam]

any suggestions to help me monitor it and keep it behind the motor?

Minimum additions for a long helathy trans life:



1. shift kit and a few internal billet pieces to handle the extra pressures

2. temp gauge in the cooler output line to monitor things

3. remove the drain back check ball to promote better cooling and flow thru the coolers.



in the future consider:



If you are going to be using the truck as DD then a decent TC is a good investment. When you do the TC plan on replacing the front band to be safe since you don't know the history.



If you are doing a lot of slow speed driving with lots of shifting then a rigid band is needed. The OE flex will work if you live in the wide open spaces and you hit the freeway running at speed.



Updating the seals on the pump hub, direct and forward clutch packs at some point after the shift kit. Its a little thing that is not critical but for longevity its big boost. If you do a TC then is the time to address this as the pump and clutch packs are easily accessed.

 

[AABEN]

First of all... Welcome to the TDR. The 48RE seems to be a good transmission in STOCK form with a STOCK engine. Build the HP up on the engine then you had better have the trans built up also. I would keep it serviced, avoid un-necessary wide open throttle shifts and pull it out out overdrive manually when on steep hills or towing heavy in hilly terrain. The trans is better off with higher RPM in a given gear than lugging. Same goes with a stick shift. I pull my G56 out of 6th and run the RPMs at 2300 in 5th when pulling hills towing. I watch my boost and EGTs and down shift out of 6th at about 15 psi boost if I will be pulling a grade for a prolonged time.

I am SURE you will will get a bunch of different answers with your question.

I have NEVER lost an automatic or stick shift driving this way in the last 36 years. 30 of that was driving delivery trucks at UPS!

WAY to go this man is wright very good info

 

[BGlidewell]

...

3. remove the drain back check ball to promote better cooling and flow thru the coolers.



... .

IIRC this is the fitting on the hydraulic line directly underneath the power steering reservoir.

 

[BGlidewell]

for those who may want to know where things are:

(4) is the cooler line with the check valve

(1) is the cooler line going to the TC cooler that you can place a sending unit on

 

[Grizzly]

I finally broke down and bought an automatic in my 2007 5. 9 maily for the wife and they still scare me like the pre 2003 trannys did. any suggestions to help me monitor it and keep it behind the motor?

First, welcome to TDR. It's a great site and can be very helpful, sometimes.



Tell us what you will be doing with your new (to you) truck with an auto transmission. Will you be towing a heavy trailer and about what percent of the time. If you will be towing heavy, you may need to upgrade the TC.



Also, fill in your signature. The more information you share, the more help you can get.