Transmission life?

[RGardner]

I know it is too early to tell about the life expectancy of the 48re but generally what do most think about the life of auto versus manual?

 

[curatchko]

I think this is going to be a good transmission..... in the 04's.



I'm happy with how it shifts and with out the converter locks... .

 

[y-knot]

I am glade you are happy, unfortunately I am not. I think the life span is dependent on the trucks owner. How you drive, is one of the main factors in how long the transmission will last. Jack rabbit starts, stop and go city traffic, ATF choice, and filter maintenance will all effect who long your tany will live a healthy life. Another influence, is geographical, were you live. Extremes in temperature will have an hand in life. Also people that live and drive in rough mountainous terrain can expect a shorter life span. The last part of the equation is what you use your truck for. Guy's that just commute back and fourth to work, will see a longer life span then those who tow. Delivery and work trucks will also see a shorter life span, they are constantly in use and drive many miles every day. I hardly ever use my truck, and only tow on action, I use 100% synthetics, replace filters and adjust bands on a rigid schedule. Yet my transmission started giving out at 42,000 mile. And was replaced at 45,500 miles. What happened? What went wrong? Nothing..... the transmission is just not strong enough for our trucks. period I know they up-dated the 48's, but don't kid yourself into thinking they fixed the problem, it's more like they stuck a band-aid on a ruptured artery. Those 1 extra clutch disk will help, and they made a few outer modifications that will also help. But the reason they did what they did was to fool the buying public, that would be you, into believing that they fixed the issue of a problematic transmission. It is still the 1970's technology, re-packaged and given a new coat of paint. For some reason, Dodge has resisted up-dating to a true truck type transmission, with HD converter, and 5-forward speeds. Maybe that is something they are going to do when the next, (4th generation) truck is released. They already have (MB) a true truck 5-speed auto, maybe they are saving it for the MB diesel? Kind of makes you wonder?? Any how, this "new", "re-born", "re-hashed" transmission is really no better then the 47 it replaced. And I know there are alot of people out there that like to think they now have a "TOW/HUAL" switch. Will the truth is you don't, FORD does not Dodge. You have a OD lockout, thats all. Same as the old 47 trany. I suppose there marketing stratify worked? They sold there late 03's and early 04's, and everyone assumed they had a mighty new auto transmission, so from there standpoint I can see why maybe they didn't change to a real truck trany. They didn't have to, the buying public, that is you again, excepted what was given to them, without opposition. The Chrysler transmission is a good one, it has been in service for almost 40 years, so that says something. But it was never met to be mated to a diesel engine, much less a diesel engine in a HD truck. I hope Dodge gets it right in the next generation, weather this new trany is mated to a Cummins or not, the time has come to put the 47-48 to rest.

 

[scotmartin]

Has Dodge/Chrysler made a truly reliable auto transmission? We complain about the trucks, but their front wheel drive cars seem to be even worse. Any thoughts?



Scot

 

[XcumminsX]

Originally posted by curatchko

I think this is going to be a good transmission..... in the 04's.



I'm happy with how it shifts and with out the converter locks... .

why not in the 03's?

 

[DPKetchum]

There has not been any were near the posting of failures with 48re as in previous years with the 47re. Its stated somewhere in D. C. literature that it was redesigned with a 150k life expectancy. A good friend of mine has a 2500 with 48re. Really like the way it works. Lots different then the 47re.

 

[Blownaway]

Thanks for sticking up for us automatic guys.

 

[PBeaudoin]

I just got rid of my 03 CTD S. O. 47re and lost a few thousand $$$ doing so, That transmission (47re) has the same part #'s as the 89 model year, no improvements at all. Mine was replaced at 6400 miles and was having problems again at 24K. I think Dodges trannies are the pits. I just bought a 04 CTD H. O. 48re hoping it will be alot better. I know it shifts much better, and goes through each gear faster and smoother, but will it last???I am banking on it, because the CTD's are only in the Dodge light duty trucks. And I love my cummins!!!



DODGE????can you hear me now??????

 

[curatchko]

Originally posted by y-knot

I am glade you are happy, unfortunately I am not.

And you don't own a 48re OR a 3rd gen truck... . so that's a moot point.

 

[curatchko]

Originally posted by PBeaudoin

I just got rid of my 03 CTD S. O. 47re and lost a few thousand $$$ doing so, That transmission (47re) has the same part #'s as the 89 model year, no improvements at all.

Actually that's not true. There were enhancements in 98 that made these transmissions pretty good actually. The only issue was the converter.

 

[DPKetchum]

Bunches of changes occurred from 89 to 2003. In fact a lot of changes just from 89 to 93 and a 93 unit was nothing like a 2003. I had lots of AUTO owners go 150k plus in 94 through 98 diesels. Some had lots of trips to Yukon with Banks Stage 3 kits pulling fivers with slide outs etc. Yes some failed but so did G. M. and Ford units also. I did NISSAN 14 years. We built lots of those autos also and they cost a whole lot more then a Dodge to fix. Traditionally auto trans out last manual transmission. Lots of manuals need bearing repairs etc. the autos of yester year were almost bullet proof. C4/turbo 350 and 400/ torqueflites/Datsun autos?copied Ford c4 etc. gave little problems. Lots of 3 speeds and four speeds needed bearings and brass a lot faster then autos needed overhauling. Its the newer more modern units that have a higher failure rate but theres LOTS more of them out there then ever before(last decade)

 

[RGardner]

My 2 cents worth: I have a 93 f350 with a bale bed that has 250,000 + miles on the 5 speed with no transmission or clutch work other than fluid changes and one throwout bearing. This truck has been a work truck all its life. I also had a 92 f250 that had an auto that began to shift hard at less than 70,000 miles. I sold the truck before it gave me any more problems. It would seem that a maual would outlast an auto to me and when repairs are needed it seem that a manual would be cheaper to repair. Just my opinion. Now an auto sure is nice in trafic, starting a big load up hill etc.

 

[MSilva]

My 92 auto has 263500 miles on the original transmission. It needs a new TPS.

 

[DPKetchum]

As I said traditionally Autos out last manuals in frequency of repair. On the same note I have a friend with a F450 flatbed. Two manual trans repairs in first 100k and one engine. Left stranded on I75 at 2am with trans failure and then again when something plastic with turbo fell apart and got inhaled threw the engine. But anyway the autos of yester year some were bullet proof. Lots of us as teenagers took Moms plymouth wagon and reved in neutral and slammed in drive etc. ALL the 47re/48re needed was a strong convertor/billet shafts/hubs and its about bullet proof. such as a DTT/Ats and so on. Some of these units are warrantied agaisnt anything including sled pulls. D. C. did make some of these changes to the 48re. ALL the drag diesels use autos igf they want to be competetive.

 

[XcumminsX]

ok so i am assuming the 04 48re has a different shift point than my 03 48re. anyone know when this update happen. My truck was built in early august. . And if my truck doesnt have the latest programming into the transmission cant i go to the dealer and say hey my truck isnt shifting right, wouldnt they re-flash the trans and id have the new updated version??

 

[DPKetchum]

DUNNO! Ask.

 

[PBeaudoin]

Please!! someone tell me one major improvement that was done to this transmission other then adding a couple of more clutches?

The dealer transmission tech at Hendricks also told me that this transmission is a dinosaur. Torque flite with an overdrive unit?!

I am not a specialist in this area, however this transmission whether in gas or diesel is WEAK! Yes, I too have someone I know that has over 240K and has never been in his, but the majority has. Myself, I had 93 gas,94 gas, 92 diesel, 02 gas (only one with no problems, sold @17K), 03 diesel. That's 5 trucks and 4 transmissions? No, I don't beat on my trucks either. Tow. . yes, not everyday though.

 

[DPKetchum]

Have had 6 Dodge trucks,gas and diesel all autos until my 03. Never had to repair a trans. The aftermarket folks don't have a hard time making them bullet proof. $3200 exchange is about what I'm told. Tons of them used in the 1st generation and 2nd generations. Read their forums. Brackets racers driving G. M. the hottest thing is and has been beefed up powerglides!

 

[PBeaudoin]

Originally posted by DPKetchum

Have had 6 Dodge trucks,gas and diesel all autos until my 03. Never had to repair a trans. The aftermarket folks don't have a hard time making them bullet proof. $3200 exchange is about what I'm told. Tons of them used in the 1st generation and 2nd generations. Read their forums. Brackets racers driving G. M. the hottest thing is and has been beefed up powerglides!

My point is that from the factory, these transmissions are terrible.

There is no reason why these 70-80% of these transmissions should have this many problems. I had nothing but 8 Fords and 5 Dodges, I have only had problems with Dodges, that is saying something about there trannies. Unfortunately, I love the cummins motor, and the design of the new Dodges. Ford just doesn't care about there quality control either, anymore. We don't even need to talk about Chevy's. . 6. 2L junk. . lol

I am not trying to knock Dodge, being they know there is problems with this transmission, but it took way too long to do something about it. Sorry.

An additional 3200. 00 plus labor is too much for a factory problem. The factory should have consulted outside help with these companies to rectify their mistakes.

 

[DPKetchum]

I do agree In fact I brought that up to Dodge reps and engineers in the past.