Torque converter won't lock up in first gear on 48re

[BZieg]

Torque converter won't lock up in first gear on 48re, right? I want to put a lock-up switch and I figured out how with my last thread thanks TDR members. But it would be for a theft deterrent only, so the truck would stall if the solenoid was grounded out it. Hopefully it would lock first gear and the truck would stall. But I have talked to several transmission shops, some say it will lock in first others say it will not. So... . ? Or should I just not even do this lock-up switch at all. Thanks, -Bobby

 

[cerberusiam]

Correct, it won't lock in first gear on a stock VB. You can modify the VB so it will then you would have what you want.

 

[BZieg]

Thanks for the reply. Ok I gotcha. I was told by Steve Culhane at Culhanes trans he could service the transmission and "work the valve body", firm up the shifts. Maybe locking first gear is also feasible by "working the stock valve body"?

 

[cerberusiam]

Thanks for the reply. Ok I gotcha. I was told by Steve Culhane at Culhanes trans he could service the transmission and "work the valve body", firm up the shifts. Maybe locking first gear is also feasible by "working the stock valve body"?

Should be doable. FYI, the installer has to be certain he knows what he is doing when building for 1st gear lockup. If it is done incorrectly other problems will surface and can hurt the trans. I am told a lot depends on how one goes about fixing the stock VB issues.

 

[BZieg]

Alright thanks. Well see I really never trust anyone working on my truck but myself. So do you have any easy or cheap ideas for a theft deterrent cerberusiam? Thanks for the replies. -Bobby

 

[SierraRam]

I had the Dunrite Transbuddy kit on my 03 with a lockup switch, it would definately lock the TC in 1st gear. Stalled it a few time when I accidently hit the switch while entering the vehicle. I would back out of a parking stall, put it in drive and stall it!

 

[HullD]

WOW HAVE I BEEN THERE DONE THAT!
Most 48 re trannys will lock up in 1st. with a switch with out moding them.
There are a few differnt valve bodys for the earlier build units.
Some will not lock in 1st. but later ones will.
My truck is a jan. 03 build and it WILL LOCK in 1st.
If you need more info I have owned A transsmission shop for 20 years and you could pm me with a number so we could talk on the phone

 

[BZieg]

Thanks, man you guys are helpful. I appreciate this. I hate being so paranoid, but then again I don't think being paranoid over losing thousands of dollars is too bad, right? Damn thieves.

 

[cerberusiam]

I would back out of a parking stall, put it in drive and stall it!

The key here is you put it in drive NOT 1st. I know that when mine is auto 1st or manual 1st the TC will not lock with the switch. AFAIK, when the stock 48RE is actually in 1st gear none of them will lock the TC as they pressurize both sides of the solenoid so it cannot lock.



I have never purposely tried to make it lock in gear unless it was rolling as that is a good way to really mess up the trans.



If it was me I would look into a Ravelco system, or, build something like the Ravelco around the starter wire.

 

[ASchwartz]

Thanks for the reply. Ok I gotcha. I was told by Steve Culhane at Culhanes trans he could service the transmission and "work the valve body", firm up the shifts. Maybe locking first gear is also feasible by "working the stock valve body"?

Culhanes is a good shop, I had my South Bend Dual Disk installed there a few years ago.

 

[BZieg]

Yeah i thought I could trust Steve he builds all types of off-road transmissions like for CORR trucks, so I'll just take it to him.