POP!! went the transmission

['strokeThis_'07]

I dont know how to keep a transmission alive apparently. Just lost my trans an hour or so ago. This is the 3rd trans. The stocker lasted longer than either of the full billet ones Ive run. First one lasted 6 months before the convertor went, and this one lasted... . 6 months! I believe it was a shaft this time. Im guessing its likely the input went. So what else would get tore up from the input going? Pump. What else?



Im not very happy right now. Love my truck, but the trans isnt my favorite. Im going to look at a new Charger SRT8 Superbee and Challenger tomorrow

 

[Grumpy John 4x4]

Suncoast trans

Get a Suncoast full bllet trans triple disc convertor and flex plate, It will be the last one you would need! about 7500. 00 installed, you get what you pay for!

 

[fox]

Have been shifting with the converter locked? I've seen guy break them that way.

 

['strokeThis_'07]

No I dont have a lockup switch. Its all stock programming as far as how it shifts.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

How is the truck generally driven, how were you driving when the trans failed? Did the previous ones die in similar fashion?

 

[HBarlow]

Your statement that you're considering replacing your Dodge-Cummins with a Dodge Charger SRT8 or Challenger suggests you may be driving the wrong vehicle for your driving style.

I had a full built DTT 48RE in my '06 Ram that was bullet proof pulling very heavy trailers day after day for over 100k miles when I sold it but I didn't accelerate at full power from every stoplight.

 

[TCDiesel]

The 03+ QC/LB Ram empty weight is 7000+, add big rubber=busted trans from dead stop. once your rolling it can take moderate amount of abuse,, I have 100K on a complete billet trans, I run Ver 1. 5 on my PowerPDA which allows Me to Program all My fueling when shifting and lockup. . Yep when it lockups and the the Boost and RPMs are high snap$$$.

 

[BlitzkriegSSII]

I have a suncoast trans that im very happy with. I have had it for about 2 1/2 years.



My truck dynoed at 566 hp and 1120 ftlbs. :-laf When I go to the track I run stock size tires and I am in 4X4. I boost to about 8-10 psi on the line and hit my lock up switch at 2000 rpm's in first gear.



My fastes so far in the 1/4 is a 13. 007 @104, I should be able to get a bit more out of it this year because the computer was telling it to shift in to 4th to late so im going to set up a switch to actavate 4th when I want it to.

 

['strokeThis_'07]

Your statement that you're considering replacing your Dodge-Cummins with a Dodge Charger SRT8 or Challenger suggests you may be driving the wrong vehicle for your driving style.

One could say that I suppose. I dont tow or haul anything. I got the truck for a daily driver, and something to play with. Thus the reason for the auto, autos are faster than manuals. I knew full well the stocker would go out at some point. Except it lasted longer than the built one has. And I need 4x4 in the winter.



This is essentially the same transmission I got a year ago. Except in Aug. or Sep. the convertor blew up. Apparently Suncoast had a bad run. Now it looks like a shaft is snapped. But heres the thing, I was doing 70 when it snapped. I got into it after it had locked in OD and was trying to see what boost psi it was setting a CEL. Pulled fine, then all of a sudden POP!



Am I scared of getting on it? No. Thats why I have the biggest baddest transmission one can get. Apparently not though... I dont floor it from stops but rarely, Im not in 4x4 and doing boosted launches ever, Im not pulling at the track, Im not running down the quarter, Im daily driving my only mode of transportation. Im not easy on it, but I sure dont abuse it or mistreat it. I will occasionally kick the rear end out. Ive wanted a built, twin turbo Dodge/Cummins back before anybody even ran twins on the street, and making 400hp at the tires wasnt very common. Im a horsepower freak, a car guy, and I expect my vehicles to hold up, especially after I build them up with the best of the best...



Theres a better idea of how the truck is used. Im not making power that I should be snapping billet shafts. Not in my opinion. If I was making 700+ I wouldnt be surprised. But 500 is SO easy to get, and my trans is built to support so much, that there just doesnt seem to be an equilibrium between my power and parts breakage, if that makes sense... ?

 

[ROCKJEEP]

I love my goerend and would never go another route.

 

[EBung]

I had an ATS billet input/hub break on my truck with all other shafts being stock! They replaced it with the newer one piece input under warranty. I was at the 500hp mark also. You play you pay in this game.

 

[gitchesum]

I drive my 04 quad like I stole it.



Mike keeps saying he's going to replace my accelerator pedal with a switch.



50K on the transmission he built with a single disc Dunrite convertor and valve body and billet input shaft.



I can't count the number of passes down the 1/4 mile it's done with 20 psi launches.



I don't pull heavy on a regular basis, but I have had a few heavy loads on it. I do know it will spin the tires if you get in it too hard with a trailer behind it. :-laf

 

['strokeThis_'07]

You play you pay in this game.

True. But at the same time, when you pay as much as I did on this transmission, one expects it to last awhile and stop leaving them on the side of the road. Ive overbuilt my trans for my mods. Meaning the transmission shouldnt break at my power level. I could understand if it was built for 450hp and I was at 800. But the trans should be more than capable of holding well north of 800, yet stuff keeps going wrong at 500 or less... .

 

[jeff95]

Is Suncoast going to stand behind it? Did they repair it the first time it broke?

I have two Suncoast transmissions but, I rarely drive my 95 and my 98 is only at about 400hp. I need to get one for my 2004 but, I want to make sure the company is going to stand behind it.

Jeff

 

[osiris]

Its a HTS trans not suncoast... . have you talked to Dusty or Marianne yet? I cant see them not taking care of you especially since the trans is so new...

 

[BlitzkriegSSII]

I have had Suncoast back up there product very well for me.



When I first got my trans form them I only put in the a billet input shaft. When I took it out for the test drive I snapped the stock intermediate shaft (only had the comp box on 3). I wasnt very happy. I called up Suncoast and they fixed me right up for only the price of the billet intermediate shaft.



Then about 6 months latter I some how welded the direct drive clutches together. I called them up and they fixed it right up for me. Any time I have had any questions they have taken the time to help me out.

 

[HBarlow]

As just a bystander here on the sidelines, with nothing invested, I've read all the original poster's comments again.

The thought that stands out to me is inspite of your believeable denials that you abuse your truck's driveline unnecessarily you are experiencing repeated transmission failures yet you continue to have faith in the quality of the transmission rebuild/rebuilder.

It is not my intention to fuel another heated transmission "debate" here but I would suggest maybe you should back up and think about the problem you are experiencing: the transmission continually fails under what you consider reasonable hard use.

Maybe you should consider another transmission builder using parts from another of the aftermarket specialty 48RE transmission parts builders. I would.

 

['strokeThis_'07]

Yea, I talked to Marianne the other day. Gotta figure a way of getting the truck to my dads to drop the trans and send it to Michigan. Im sure Ill have to buy a new shaft, and who knows whatelse. Ill let you guys know what they find when they get it...

 

[sweeda]

Just a thought while the trans is out check the carrier bearing and the rear end. Sounds like there could be something that could be putting a higher load on the trans than just the unloaded truck. I'd check all of tit down stream of the trans, transfer case, rear end drive line carrier bearing even the parking brake & axle bearings. It can't hurt to check while you wait for your trans to return.