No more new 47RE transmissions

[Boldt's Wagon]

I was at DTT this week and was looking at several pallets of new 47RE 4x4 transmissions. Bill said that he had bought 10 or 12 new transmissions from Chrysler when they were selling out their inventory of new replacement transmissions. Bill stated that Chrysler was going to a program of remanufactured transmissions and eliminating the availability of new replacement 47RE transmissions.



I can speculate on several things.



As the 47RE will no longer be in the new production vehicles, they will not be manufacturing them for replacement either.



Selling the current inventory generates some corporate cash.



They can supply remanufactured units cheaper than new units and do not have to carry the inventory.



The proposed 48RE transmission might be capable of being a new replacement for the 47RE.



The rumor of the death of the 48RE transmission and a new 5 speed automatic from Germany to be competive with the Allison and new Ford 5 speed may be true.

 

[Steve M]

The diesel mechanic at our local Dodge Dealership said something to that effect too about the 5spd Aisien (sp???) transmission from Germany. Dakotas and Durangos are already said to have the German transmission. I haven't climbed under our Durango to see if it's a 46RE or something different. The new 5spd will have two O/D ratios instead of 3 under/direct/one O/D like the Allison. If this is true it will be better than the Allison and Ford transmission from the driver's seat. JMHO...

 

[zstroken]

48RE is still planned!!

The 48RE is a mid 2003 model year transmission. More offset on the pump for increased pump pressure, heavier carriers(no more aluminum carriers), different clutches, and a host of other differences. Most of these changes are to enhance the diesel applications performance and reliablilty. The 5 speed in the dakotas, durangos, and rams with the 4. 7 is a US made 5 speed(545RFE). The new five speed mecedes transmission is geared to luxury passenger cars. The 46RE is going to be gone in about 1. 5 years as well as the 44RE, and 42RE. 44RE will be replaced with the 545RFE and the 42RE will be replaced with the 42RLE.

 

[JRG]

zstroken,



Please tell us what you base your info on. I want an H. O. auto, so I'm concerned about it.



JRG

 

[zstroken]

48RE

I work at the place where the 48RE is made

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

zstroken, can the 48RE parts be installed in a 47RE?

 

[SlyBones]

So this means that new dodges, while having a much improved auto transmission, will still be 4 speeds?

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

That info has been posted on here since March of this year Slybones. I covered the Chicago auto show intro of the HD's and talked about the 48re in the article then.

 

[Bill Stockard]

zstroken,



I was traveling through Kokomo, IN a couple of months ago and noticed what looked like a brand new factory about ready to open. Ths sign said it was a transmission factory for D-C.



Is this going to be the home of the 48RE?



I'm waiting for the 48RE/HO engine combination too.



Bill

 

[zstroken]

3 transmission plants in Kokomo

The old plant(kokomo transmission plant) which is on the south side makes all front wheel drive automatics, and all 4 speed rear wheel drive(except for a few purchased asian warner units). The most northern plant(Indiana Transmission Plant) makes the 45RFE and the 545RFE(Grand cherokees, liberty, and vehicles with the 4. 7 or 5. 7 engine) The new plant will will make a 5 speed for luxury cars for mercedes and maybe some chryslers. In the future the old plant will make a new rear wheel drive transmission for very light duty(cars, wranglers, dakatos with a v6). the 48RE will will be made at the old plant replacing the 48RE.

I am not sure if all of the new parts will fit into an existing 47RE. I am sure this transmission will not hold up to extenxive mods without a valvebody change, and new torque converter. But should work well in a stock application with some sanity. h

 

[Bill Stockard]

zstroken,



Thanks for the reply. I had seen the other 2 transmission plants and was curious about the new one.



Yes, I am one of those waiting for the 48RE. I run a "out of the box stock" truck on engine power and don't tow anything. I haul a large Lance slide-in truck camper which is near the max GVW of the 3500 dual rear wheel truck. Otherwise, the truck mostly sets in the garage.



The rumor is that the 48RE will be "exhaust brake compatabile". Have you heard anything about it?



Bill