Which Trans and why?

[Hawk]

So I'm looking to purchase my first built 48RE and hopefully my last. I have read about every transmission I can find on the net. I wanted to get some "real world" info from you guys. I don't drag race the truck or sled pull. I do pull a trailer to the race track and out to the dunes. The plan is to use all the parts from the 2 previous trucks on this truck. Some of the places you guys could guess but I'll list them anyway. If you have another company that you recommend please do so. I'm all ears here so let it rip. Thanks in advance.

ATS
Goerend
SunCoast
Garmon Diesel
DTT
Revmax

 

[HBarlow]

Scratch ATS and replace it with DTT.

 

[TCDiesel]

Goerend Trans are 2 months out, DTT/ or Goerend, Jeff Garmon is more modded for racing, if you tow Make sure you mention this to him.

 

[Hawk]

Scratch ATS and replace it with DTT.

Why do you say scratch the ATS? I have read lots of great things about them and I also read somewhere about new management and that person has made some improvements in the customer service department and maybe in the QA/QC dept.



Why recommend DTT?



I'm out of my depth here as my last truck got the South Bend treatment and I forgot all about transmission woes. I just don't want to be on a road trip and have any issues. With all the problems that so many people have had I'm trying to get some insurance up front.

 

[cerberusiam]

Why do you say scratch the ATS? I have read lots of great things about them and I also read somewhere about new management and that person has made some improvements in the customer service department and maybe in the QA/QC dept.

Thats great and wish them the best of luck. However, until they prove that has happened there are still people that have had bad experiences and that gets reported more than the good.



Are you set on ordering a replacement? Is it possible to find a local builder that can do what you need? There is a whole lot to be said for having a local ear to bend when you are not happy with the performance or an issue arises. Don't discount the local people until you have done some research.



Fall all intents and purposes, a transmission built by any of those mentioned is going to be almost exactly the same. Same parts, same general processes. Until you jump into some high performance applications the building of the 48RE is generally the same. The differences you may see are the quality of assembly and testing. The fact is the really good builders do not touch every transmission in a commercialized business.



Things happen when its an assembly line.

 

[LNaugle]

We dont use anything ats... learned the hard way... . we even live in colorado and we are happy to pay the shipping on a sun coast trans and their products because they work great!

 

[Hawk]

Thats great and wish them the best of luck. However, until they prove that has happened there are still people that have had bad experiences and that gets reported more than the good.



Are you set on ordering a replacement? Is it possible to find a local builder that can do what you need? There is a whole lot to be said for having a local ear to bend when you are not happy with the performance or an issue arises. Don't discount the local people until you have done some research.



Fall all intents and purposes, a transmission built by any of those mentioned is going to be almost exactly the same. Same parts, same general processes. Until you jump into some high performance applications the building of the 48RE is generally the same. The differences you may see are the quality of assembly and testing. The fact is the really good builders do not touch every transmission in a commercialized business.



Things happen when its an assembly line.

I have a local shop that just rebuilt my push button TF727 in my 64 Dodge. The shop did my twin install and they are great guys, but I only want to do this one time and don't want to call or bend any ears. I seriously considered ordering up a master kit, valve body and TC for my local guys to use but by the time I do all that its the same price as ordering up one from a reputable company. I'm a local business kind of guy and try to support all my local shops but 4-6K is not chump change and I want to try and make the best decision I can.



Oh by the way I dig your handle. I use to work on a surveillance system that was called a Cerberus

 

[Wertles]

I had my local shop rebuild my transmission for the exact same reason. I didn't want to be on vacation with the family and lose it (happened at 50k miles the first time). They were significantly cheaper than the big names, I have a billet triple disc converter, billet input, HD Kevlar clutches, upgraded VB, adjustable solenoid and stuff I have already forgotten. It has been flawless from day 1 and for the last 20,000 miles. IMHO, a good quality local shop can bulletproof your transmission for stock or near stock power levels. If you are really putting down the numbers, the big name guys just have much more experience and reputation that your local guy can't touch.

 

[cerberusiam]

I'm a local business kind of guy and try to support all my local shops but 4-6K is not chump change and I want to try and make the best decision I can.

For what your wanting to do $3k is sufficient, $3500 if you want a better converter.



If your local guys are quoting you that much then they saw you coming. Time to bring out the negotiating bat.



A 48RE is just a beefier version of a 727 with 1 more gear. Its NOT that complicated. A billet input shaft, billet cover TC, billet servos and accumulator, and the billet band apply strut, a shift kit, and Raybestos HE clutches, seal kit, bushings and thrust washers if you want to go new, is all you really need for a solid transmission.

 

[ArmandoCantu]

I went ATS with no regrets. I've had some electrical issues, but not the transmission's fault. It's inherent in a 2nd generation - electrical gremlins due to electrical noise. Thing is solid, no leaks, and the service from the shop that installed it is great. A lot of folks bad mouth them, but I'm happy.

 

[ColemanR]

I've used DTT as well as Dunrite (Source Automotive) Both have built me a trans that have gone over 200K. DTT is in Canada Source is in Clackamas Oregon. Source Automotive is a one stop shop for all things diesel. Thanks Rip!

 

[JimB1]

9/10 solved electrical gremlins track down to grounding issues.

 

[Hawk]

For what your wanting to do $3k is sufficient, $3500 if you want a better converter.



If your local guys are quoting you that much then they saw you coming. Time to bring out the negotiating bat.



A 48RE is just a beefier version of a 727 with 1 more gear. Its NOT that complicated. A billet input shaft, billet cover TC, billet servos and accumulator, and the billet band apply strut, a shift kit, and Raybestos HE clutches, seal kit, bushings and thrust washers if you want to go new, is all you really need for a solid transmission.

Yeah I have done a bunch of reading on the 48RE and was able to follow along the evolution of it getting the extra gear and heavier internals.

I will ask the guys in town and see what they say.



Do you guys have a specific place that you would order a master kit, TC and billet pieces from?



Thanks everyone that has posted thus far. I would like to hear why you chose one over the other though.

 

[TFucili]

Fred Swanson is a DTT guy here in AZ. He is near the 303 in Waddell.

 

[Hawk]

Fred Swanson is a DTT guy here in AZ. He is near the 303 in Waddell.

Now we're getting somewhere. Have you used his stuff in the past/now? Do you have any other info for Fred?

 

[HBarlow]

Now we're getting somewhere. Have you used his stuff in the past/now? Do you have any other info for Fred?

I know nothing about Fred Swanson but my DTT was built by James Northrum, a local transmission builder in Midlothian, TX, south of Dallas. James has many years of transmission building experience. I was pleased with the transmission he built for me.

The impression I have is Bill Kondolay, who owns DTT and had developed many of the parts he sells, is a near perfectionist. He has only a limited number of what basically amounts to franchised dealers or factory authorized representatives that he has selected and allows to sell and install his parts. There are only perhaps a dozen authorized DTT builders around the country.

I believe you'll find that Fred Swanson is a premier MOPAR transmission builder who will give you a good transmission and back it with a warranty. I trusted James Northrum and I would trust Fred Swanson.

 

[JJPage]

The impression I have is Bill Kondolay, who owns DTT and had developed many of the parts he sells, is a near perfectionist. He has only a limited number of what basically amounts to franchised dealers or factory authorized representatives that he has selected and allows to sell and install his parts. There are only perhaps a dozen authorized DTT builders around the country.



I believe you'll find that Fred Swanson is a premier MOPAR transmission builder who will give you a good transmission and back it with a warranty. I trusted James Northrum and I would trust Fred Swanson.

After driving up to Abbottsford, BC, and spending the day with the Kondolay Family while they removed, rebuilt, and installed my transmission, I will agree with Harvey 100%.



I was allowed into their shop during the whole process, everything was explained to me through the rebuild, they even supplied lunch .



Jess

 

[TFucili]

Now we're getting somewhere. Have you used his stuff in the past/now? Do you have any other info for Fred?

PM sent. I had Fred install a DTT Shift Enhancer to reduce the annoying shuttle shifting problem. Fred and I were test driving my truck to verify the tuning, and his cell phone rang, and it turned out to be Bill Kondolay calling to find out how my truck was doing. Bear in mind that my trans is still a stock 48RE, not a DTT. I thought that was pretty darn impressive.

 

[Hawk]

After driving up to Abbottsford, BC, and spending the day with the Kondolay Family while they removed, rebuilt, and installed my transmission, I will agree with Harvey 100%.



I was allowed into their shop during the whole process, everything was explained to me through the rebuild, they even supplied lunch .



Jess

See thats whats I'm talking about. A shop that is down to earth and will explain the work and enjoys their craft.



Jess thank you for the input. How is your transmission working out for you?

 

[Hawk]

PM received and I will get in touch with him soon. Thank you for the info.