Transmission choices

[ILIANBG]

Hi everyone. I’ve been trying to find a replacement for my 2002 Dodge diesel, and have been looking at Gen 2 12v. as possible replacement.
I know very little about the transmissions, especially the automatics. How are they doing, and what are their shortcomings? Do they last in heavy traffic when there is not much airflow for cooling? Anything I should be aware of?
Also, are those autos the same as the later 24v Gen 2? Is it possible to add an exhaust brake on a 12 v auto? Can you manually downshift that auto transmission if necessary?
I have heard that the 5 sp. manuals could have issues with the 5th gear. Is that common? Are there parts and solutions available should that happen? These trucks are much harder to find then the 12v autos for sure.
I’m sorry for all the questions, but I only had experience with 2002 6sp truck.
Ilian

 

[Timd32]

I guess you did not pull the trigger on that 97, or still on the fence in general?

Shortcoming would be unknown service level of a used anything.

Overall IMO they are still very capable, but rebuilds are a chunk of change at times, they can be built to your spec for what you need the truck for and will hold up when done properly.

There is a large subset of folks who have no issues for many many miles and years.

It's still going to be a 23-24 yr old truck at this point.

Heat soak anything and you will have issues, a proper gauge package for EGT, Fuel Pressure and properly located Trans temps goes a long way.

Bigger pan is a common upgrade, added capacity, plus you can have a drain plug for ease of changes, not that a big plastic bin is hard to use for the stock pan.

If you don't have a modified valve body the fluid does not flow in Park so always throw it in Neutral to get fluid flow. Same goes when you check the fluid, at operating temp and in neutral.

The hard lines to the trans can leak the plastic parts can become brittle, some folks replace with hard line, others run new hoses instead.

Good luck on your search. Others will chime in again, but go back to your other threads there is still some good stuff in those.

 

[BigPapa]

Lots of transmission talk in this thread:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...automatic-transmission-with-no-issues.267458/

 

[ILIANBG]

Thank you guys for the shared link and all you shared.
So are the automatics in the 2 Gens compatible with exhaust brakes, and are you able to manually downshift? I’m reading through all this posts.
What does that “mystery switch” do?

 

[cerberusiam]

Any 47\48 RE\H can use an EB if they are setup and controlled correctly. The problem is control on any of them, there isn't enough computer control until you got to 06-07 to make an EB work seamlessly. With ANY trans that has manual TV control it isn't possible anymore to make them work correctly. When the EB is engaged 2 things need to happen, the ECM\PCM needs to drop OD and the TV needs to be maxxed out. The ECM\PCM process is possible, the TV pressure is not because the only product I know of that did that is no longer on the market. You cannot run extended EB use at 90 psi and expect a long life on the trans, that pressure needs to be ramped into the 120-130 psi range or you will eventually slip the clutch packs.

The options that is available is FirePunks Anteater, ATS full electronic control VB, and I think Suncoast has a similar product. A little expensive but one rebuild and its paid for.