Dodge 48RE upgrades and longevity

[Greg]

I'm looking at a 2006 Dodge 2500 with an automatic 48RE transmission. The previous owner replaced the transmission and upgraded the questionable stock parts, spending quite a bit of money making sure it would last.

It sounds like all the work was recent and high quality... but I'm concerned about how long the upgrade of transmission will last over time. Obviously it depends on how hard the truck is used and how well its maintained. I think an additional trans cooler would be a good investment.

Anyone have long term experience with a upgraded 48RE transmission behind a Cummins?

 

[Pile of parts]

No personal experience but I think the question is, what is done/being done on the engine and transmission programming/tuning side?
That might help determine longevity.

 

[Agility Customs]

being a ram guy myself I personally wouldnt buy a cummins with an auto UNLESS it was the 2007+ 6.7 cummins with the 68RFE or the Aisin trans in the 2012+ HO trucks.

I know multiple people with bone stock trucks that went through multiple transmissions pulling very moderate loads. If you are going to buy it just make sure your ok with replacing the trans if you go into it with the plan of doing it then its all good.

It is essentially the same trans as the 47re and 47rh that ram has been running since 1994. Its simply underbuilt to be behind a modern diesel engine.

 

[Greg]

No personal experience but I think the question is, what is done/being done on the engine and transmission programming/tuning side?
That might help determine longevity.

My understanding is the engine is completely stock and the truck has been well taken care of. I don't know anything about tuning as far as the transmission is concerned.

being a ram guy myself I personally wouldnt buy a cummins with an auto UNLESS it was the 2007+ 6.7 cummins with the 68RFE or the Aisin trans in the 2012+ HO trucks.

I know multiple people with bone stock trucks that went through multiple transmissions pulling very moderate loads. If you are going to buy it just make sure your ok with replacing the trans if you go into it with the plan of doing it then its all good.

It is essentially the same trans as the 47re and 47rh that ram has been running since 1994. Its simply underbuilt to be behind a modern diesel engine.

I've owned 3 diesel Dodges and they've all been manual transmissions. I prefer them and would love to find the right truck with a manual, but it's becoming incredibly hard to find something in my price range with a manual, that isn't beat to hell or has 300k miles.

I definitely don't trust the automatics behind the Cummins. I've known way too many people that have had issues with them. I was hoping that a properly built 48RE with a bunch of upgrades would last a while... but I don't want to be stuck with an $6k bill when the transmission dies again.

Would you trust a 2007+ truck that has over 200k miles and the transmission has never been touched?

 

[TurboMinivan]

I think an additional trans cooler would be a good investment.

Installing the biggest, baddest trans fluid cooler you can find is a fantastic idea for any tow rig IMO.

I did the same thing on my 8.1L Suburban. I removed the stock external cooler and replaced it with the Tru-Cool unit that so many forum members recommended very highly. This change dropped my observed fluid temps by 25^ or more at all times and in all conditions. Here is a comparison with my stock unit:

In your case, Dodge did install a pretty hefty external cooler on the Cummins trucks. For that reason, I wonder how much benefit you would gain from an "upgrade" of this cooler. Maybe it would be a good idea to start by installing a trans fluid temp gauge so you can see where you're at currently.

 

[mbryson]

I heard my rebuilt 48re in my 2004 puked a while after I sold it. It was rebuilt. I don't trust AT ALL a 4 speed auto behind a Cummins. Just my opinion. I'm sure there are others that think putting a Dodge 4 speed in drive is just fine. I think it will explode. (same opinion on that as a 6.0L or 6.4L PowerJoke..... avoiding those as well)

 

[Greg]

I heard my rebuilt 48re in my 2004 puked a while after I sold it. It was rebuilt. I don't trust AT ALL a 4 speed auto behind a Cummins. Just my opinion. I'm sure there are others that think putting a Dodge 4 speed in drive is just fine. I think it will explode. (same opinion on that as a 6.0L or 6.4L PowerJoke..... avoiding those as well)

That's pretty bad... and exactly what kind of info I'm looking for. I'll pass on 4 speed automatics behind the Cummins.

 

[boogie_4wheel]

I have an '05 with a little extra fuel that has 158k. Owned it since 60k, I did install a Transgo kit a few years ago, but still running the stock bands and that stupid excessively loose stock TC. I'm sure I'll eventually need to pull it for a major repair, but I don't see that happening any time soon (I did get 244k out of a 4L60E 😁)

I think your right foot plays a very big part in the longevity of any auto trans, stock or modified. And some of that needs to fall on to the shoulders of the builder as well.

On the front air/oil cooler, there is a t-stat that you can monkey with and force it closed (not allowing bypass) for additional cooling from the stock unit.

Also, the water/oil cooler on the driver's side of the engine block can corrode and cause them to mix. They have been blamed for numerous trans failures and therefore bypassed.

 

[stockblock]

2006 Dodge 2500 48RE owner here.

I had my stock trans rebuilt at 185k miles after it started slipping. RKL Diesel Performance in Springville built me a stage II tow transmission with all the billet goodies and a new flywheel over 7 years ago. It set me back $5,200 or so.

I've had them changed the oil and tighten the bands after the first 5K miles. Since then, I've put 40k towing miles on it with no issues. Temps run cool with RKL's in house double deep pan even with the stock cooler still on it. I'm due back @ 50k miles for routine maintenance which will most likely be next spring.

The only complaint I have is not having a 5th gear and my neck snapping when it shifts from 1st to 2nd gear.

 

[zmotorsports]

I've built several of the 47RHand 48RE Dodge auto's and I guess I'm on the other side of the fence when it comes to Dodge auto's. In stock form I am not impressed, however, there is a lot of aftermarket support and the ones I've built have lived a long life.

Items I upgraded to were the Alto clutches and Kolene steels for starters and a billet single clutch torque converter then Sonnax billet accumulator piston and intermediate servo and wedge band anchor, Trans-Go shift kit and Sonnax low/reverse servo. Lastly, I insisted that the owner install a stacked plate cooler at time of installation and they've been holding up well. These have been on stock to slightly warmed Cummins doing towing duties. One was for an ex-BIL and he could **** up a ball bearing with a rubber hammer and his has survived and still going. That one I built about 7 years ago, before we moved and last I heard was pushing the 300k mark. I built it just before it hit 100k.

Like anything else though, it is not only a matter of what parts they put in it, but a culmination of the parts and workmanship of who built it. If the guy has documentation if may be worth a phone call to the builder and ask some questions.

 

[anderson750]

As has been stated above, if you are willing to invest some money into it, they can be built to handle towing. There are a lot of aftermarket parts for it to increase it's strength and durability. I do not have any personal experience with the 48, just the 68 that had built by Randy's after I put the compounds on my 6.7L. He's expensive, and I cannot say anything bad about his business. I had to take it back to him 2 times. and he 100% stood behind his work. When I had to have a refresh done on it, due to it getting to hot 1 time.......my own fault......he only charged me for parts and gave me a good discount on doing some new upgrades to it.