TowRig.com - Diesel Discussion and Tow Tech

Well, my 47RE is acting up badly and I'm going to take it to the local shop today. I pulled the sled trailer (about 7K) up into the mountains on Saturday and worked it really hard through the winding hills. It had given me a few problems before Saturday by taking off in 2nd gear but only when it was cold. After the trip it is taking off in 2nd anf shifting strait into 3rd. Sometimes it will take off in 1st but go directly into 3rd, lots of goofy stuff. I would imagine it's basically done.

I'll find out later, hopefully my service contract will put a rebuild in it for me.

Sounds like it's upgrade time. waytogo

Sounds like it's upgrade time. waytogo

x2. No sense going with the stock junk. Especially if you plan on increasing power at all, which I think you have mentioned in other posts. How many miles did you get out of this unit?

The transmission shop is going to tear into it Monday morning. They couldn't find any electrical problems on the scanner while driving the truck so they think it's internal. They will tear it down and figure out whats wrong with it, then they will contact my service contract to have an adjuster come out to look at the transmission and tell us if and what they will cover under warranty. I really don't like service contracts and won't be buying another one.....:rolleyes:

The owner of the shop that I know personally said he can get different upgraded converters that are basically copy cats of BD stuff and what not, he didn't give me many details today.

I plan on upgrading what I can, it all depends on how much my contract will pay up. If they go ahead and pay for a rebuild than it will give me some room to get a better converter, valve body, pan, and hopefully even some internal mods but we will see.

This was kind of a bad time for this to happen to me, I don't have a lot of money to mess around with right now. It might have to go back stock, but hopefully not. I do know that I won't be ordering any fancy $5K tranny right now. I talked to DTT but they basically don't want my business or the shop's that my truck is going to because they say they have had bad luck with California shops. They basically want to sell me a complete transmission or nothing at all. My service contract isn't going to buy anything from DTT and they won't just give me a check for what they would pay, it has to go to the shop for their work. Kind of a pickle? Basically. ATS is way overpriced and with their triplock converter I'd have to spend another $500 on a billet flexplate, too much money right now. Right now I am basically relying on what my friend can get through his trans shop.

Everything basically depends on what they find wrong with it and when they do how severe it is and how much my contract will pay. That will happen Monday and then I will know what I can and can't do.


It made it 119K, not at all impressive but better than some I guess.

119K isnt just better than some, its better than most.

May wanna try to even put in a 48 at the very least. Good luck.

Bobby, You could make friends with the tranny guy and then when the S/C gives him the money for a rebuild you could just pay the difference for upgrades. I made this deal with a body shop guy to put on an upgraded front bumper on my Jeep...but the stupid insurance company totaled it:mad: Good luck!! Ive got almost 123k on my 4L80E so Im crossing my fingers...So far it is performing great!!

May wanna try to even put in a 48 at the very least. Good luck.What is a "48?"

119K isnt just better than some, its better than most.

Nah, I disagree. Seems most people get 100-150K out of them without much fuss.

Bobby, You could make friends with the tranny guy and then when the S/C gives him the money for a rebuild you could just pay the difference for upgrades.

Thats the idea. But it all depends on how much my contract will pay, if they pay for a free rebuild than yeah, I will have some room to spend some money, infact I found that ATS actually has a fairly good deal for all of their stuff in a kit instead of a complete tranny.

But, knowing my service contract, they will do everything they possibly can to avoid paying anything. Thats what they do, take your money and spend the next two years trying to dodge you.:rolleyes:

I will see how much they will pay after chewing butt on the phone for two days like the last time they had to pay for something big.:rolleyes:

48RE, its the auto tranny that they put in the new dodges. They put them in the High Outputs. Its alot better and stronger tranny than the 47.

Thats what I figured you meant, a 48RE. Far as I know a 48RE will not work, it carries an NP273 behind it where the 47RE uses both an standard and HD version NP241.

Regardless, the 48RE isn't much better anyway, it can handle more power than the 47RE but it's still just as inneficient as the earlier model. I'd rather just go with a good converter and valve body with a stock rebuild than a 48RE. The secret to having a good diesel auto is the converter and oil pressure. All of the big names say their converters improve acceleration and fuel mileage due to better fins, viscous clutches, and different percentage stators. Not to mention their resistance to ballooning and shearing flexplate bolts.

I'm looking to gain strength through better efficiency. With better efficiency higher power handling will come hand in hand.waytogo

Well good luck, I hope you get what you need to put more power outta that beast!

FWIW (admittedly not much) I agree on the 47 vs. 48, though you guys undoubtedly know more of them than I do. Not far back I was looking into some info on this topic when my son was looking at a CTD. From what I recall when looking at these, for what the conversion would require, even *if* it were near a bolt in operation, which it seem it's not, you can get moderate build-ups of the 47 that eclipse the 48 (with anything other than a comparale build up) for less than the cost/trouble/labor of the swap. For way under a grand more than a rebuild, a good SD converter, pressure valve mods, and general shift kit gets it pretty much in stock Allison land, though it makes breaking shafts the weak point for the most part.

Edit: IOW, take the stock rebuild that the warranty will hopefully cover, add $750 or so out of pocket for a good converter, HP frictions and steels, a few tweaks to pump (I guess that's where the pressure mod goes, or VB maybe?) and a standard shift kit. That should make it live with 400hp and 700 ft/lbs or so, or at least that's what I think I recall reading...

A 47RE with an aftermarket converter, valve body, and just a couple of extra stuff in the case far exceeds what a stock Allison can handle. A "level 1" 47RE like described is supposed to be good for 450-500HP and 4 digits of torque. After that is when the billet shafts are needed.

Parts are a little more than that, ATS is the only company that is willing (actually didn't check Suncoast) to sell the my local trans shop parts. Everyone else just wants to sell me a complete transmission.

ATS 5 star converter, $1388
Valve body upgrade kit $288
Front pump, modified $495 + core
rebuild kit $439
2nd gear band and strut doobober $65
deep pan $265

$2940 and another $1000 for the shop to do the build and R&R. It will be over $4k, if my SC pays $2K than thats not bad at all, a built tranny for about 2K out of my pocket. Thats best case scenerio and the SC will definantly not be ringing the shop's phone off the hook to rebuild them. I maybe have $2K to spend myself, everybit the SC gets down from "their" $2K will be taking away the mod parts fund, if that all makes sence.

I'm sure what I was looking at was neither SunCoast or ATS. And I'm almost certain the parts were at least somewhat under $1000, but it's been several months back that I was looking. Seems like the converter was a single clutch from some place in Cali, maybe TST (main part of cost), but that does not sound right. Tans-go kit, not a full VB. And some other mod that had to do with pressure, again, don't recall. Then top line friction/steels are just small incremental increase. Won't hold as much as your ATS combo would, but quite a bit cheaper.

Got any links if you remember what you were looking at?

I got a buddy that I talked to today that is an ATS dealer and might be able to help me out just a little.

It all depends on what happens Monday, heck, they might find that the governor solenoid is just acting up and wasn't showing on the scanner, on my way I go.....

I wish I could offer more than vague memories. We didn't go that route, so it was never more than just some bored web surfing investigations. Like I mentioned, the biggest part by far was the TC, then the trans-go is not much, and the frictions/steels/pressure mod were trivial additions to a stock rebuild base cost. And there is no way you need more than just a *good* single disk if your not going over around 500/1000, so I would say don't get too hung up on those high end billet and tripple disk top end converters unless you plan to go nuts (in which case this conversation is moot).

I may well be wrong, but I can't believe that even my foggy memory is off that far on what I figured for cost. Even if I'm completely off my rocker, figure $700 or so on the converter, another $200-300 on the other stuff, I don't see how you could be more than $1000 over stock rebuild for what (I think) you want. And if it lunched it to the point you need a new converter too, then that absorbs part of the cost of the upgrade converter too. Good luck! (whatever that means to you in this case ;) )

Well, my 47RE is acting up badly and I'm going to take it to the local shop today. I pulled the sled trailer (about 7K) up into the mountains on Saturday and worked it really hard through the winding hills. It had given me a few problems before Saturday by taking off in 2nd gear but only when it was cold. After the trip it is taking off in 2nd anf shifting strait into 3rd. Sometimes it will take off in 1st but go directly into 3rd, lots of goofy stuff. I would imagine it's basically done.

I'll find out later, hopefully my service contract will put a rebuild in it for me.

Sorry to hear about the problems.

That 'starting in second thing' is a solenoid in the tranny - easy fix. Seriously.

A 47RE with an aftermarket converter, valve body, and just a couple of extra stuff in the case far exceeds what a stock Allison can handle. A "level 1" 47RE like described is supposed to be good for 450-500HP and 4 digits of torque. After that is when the billet shafts are needed.

Parts are a little more than that, ATS is the only company that is willing (actually didn't check Suncoast) to sell the my local trans shop parts. Everyone else just wants to sell me a complete transmission.

ATS 5 star converter, $1388
Valve body upgrade kit $288
Front pump, modified $495 + core
rebuild kit $439
2nd gear band and strut doobober $65
deep pan $265

$2940 and another $1000 for the shop to do the build and R&R. It will be over $4k, if my SC pays $2K than thats not bad at all, a built tranny for about 2K out of my pocket. Thats best case scenerio and the SC will definantly not be ringing the shop's phone off the hook to rebuild them. I maybe have $2K to spend myself, everybit the SC gets down from "their" $2K will be taking away the mod parts fund, if that all makes sence.

That price sounds HIGH. Way high. I've got "only" $2750 into mine (no billet) from a local guy. Anyway, check the solenoid first, they don't always show on the scanner.............

What brand parts did you use? ATS is fairly high.

I dropped my truck off at the tranny shop this morning. My tranny is probably scattered across a table right now waiting for the insurance adjuster tommorrow.

Any word RJF?

2nd gear was toast, the band was about to fall out. Reverse was also burned for some reason, I credit that to the PO.

The trans should be done tommorrow, We are putting a better converter in it that has a billet stator with 500RPM's below stock, tuned fins and all that Jazz. 750ft lbs power handling. New valve body kit and mods for more pressure. Fancy rebuild kit that pumps up clutch surface by something around 15-20%. I almost went the Suncoast route, but would cost me another $1,950 over just $850 for more generic perfromance parts.

I couldn't believe it, but my warranty is paying just over $2K on the tranny for me, never thought I get that much even after I figured I'd have to fight with them.

waytogo Sounds cool. Looks like you figured out the rest of what I couldn't remember, sounds exactly like what I was talking about...

2nd gear was toast, the band was about to fall out. Reverse was also burned for some reason, I credit that to the PO.

The trans should be done tommorrow, We are putting a better converter in it that has a billet stator with 500RPM's below stock, tuned fins and all that Jazz. 750ft lbs power handling. New valve body kit and mods for more pressure. Fancy rebuild kit that pumps up clutch surface by something around 15-20%. I almost went the Suncoast route, but would cost me another $1,950 over just $850 for more generic perfromance parts.

I couldn't believe it, but my warranty is paying just over $2K on the tranny for me, never thought I get that much even after I figured I'd have to fight with them.

Sound good. What is the total cost? :confused:

I'm not real sure what it will cost as of yet honestly. I have$100 invested so far in 15 quarts of Amsoil ATF.

I am guessing the final total will be around $2,800-3,200, but I am not sure yet because I don't know how much exactly the insurance is coughing up and what my bill will be, but somewhere around 800-950 out of my pocket.

Torquer, what is in your transmission, brand, model of aftermarket parts..yada yada. Sounds like you did the same thing I am doing. Not going with a mainstream company to save money. I'd like to hear your specs.

Glad to hear they are footing the billwaytogo Just before the warranty ran out too! Sweet!

Well, thanks to UPS I won't be getting my truck until Monday.:mad: They sent my torque converter to the wrong place!:doah: Oh well, tranny is built and ready to go in minus a converter so Monday should be the day. I've got to go all weekend without the Ram....this is getting hard driving around a Chevy with a gas munching Vortec 454 and I'm about sick of shifting the 5spd.....:stir:

Can't wait to get my Ram back, I've heard so much about how the driveability is better with a good converter and etc... burnout

I'm about sick of shifting the 5spd.....:stir:



Lazy rotfl rotfl

Better make good use of the mods you put into your trans by getting some injectors and some different programming coming soon.

I don't really want injectors. I am going to buy the new Edge Juice/A2 setup for my year when I can afford it. But Edge has to release it first....:doah:

I'm not real sure what it will cost as of yet honestly. I have$100 invested so far in 15 quarts of Amsoil ATF.

I am guessing the final total will be around $2,800-3,200, but I am not sure yet because I don't know how much exactly the insurance is coughing up and what my bill will be, but somewhere around 800-950 out of my pocket.

Torquer, what is in your transmission, brand, model of aftermarket parts..yada yada. Sounds like you did the same thing I am doing. Not going with a mainstream company to save money. I'd like to hear your specs.

Sorry, was waiting to call my guy, who's out of town for the next two weeks snowboarding. It is all 'generic' parts that I don't remember the brand name but is used by all the big tranny shops. It is not one of the big names talked about on bulletin boards but knowing this guy as I have for over 10 years (he's built 4 different trannies for either me or my father in law) I know they use good stuff. Time will tell I suppose. :D

Well, sounds the same as my deal. You paid $2750? Looks like I'll be a couple hundred over that.

Crap I got here to late.
I went through all of this as well, I ended up with www.powerdemon.com (http://www.powerdemon.com)
trans, $2600.00 with the converter and a 3yr 75K waranty.
the guy behind the phone was great to deal with.
Hope it all works good for ya. Trans problems suck no matter how ya look at it, spending close to $3K on something you cant even see really sucks.

dan

Zukgod,
Thanks for the link, but the problem was I couldn't just order up a trans because my service contract would never pay that much money. I had to have a local builder that would work with me by him getting all the performance parts, him billing my SC for a stock complete rebuild and giving me the bill for the performance stuff.

BOMBed trannys are fun....:pimp:

Finally got my truck back late yesterday afternoon. It took so long because the owner had the valve body taken back out to retune 2nd gear shift RPM, so that took an extra day.

Wow, it shifts nice and firm now. Much more positive than before. The new converter is a LOT tighter with it being 500RPM's below stock stall. It really feels more connected to the rest of the trans. I could swear too that I'm spinning about 50rpm's less on the highway in OD than before at obviously the exact same speed.

All in all it was $3,299 out the door, I paid $900 and my SC paid $2399. I also had $100 in Amsoil tans oil.

Now time to save for the Juice/A2!waytogo

Zukgod,
Thanks for the link, but the problem was I couldn't just order up a trans because my service contract would never pay that much money. I had to have a local builder that would work with me by him getting all the performance parts, him billing my SC for a stock complete rebuild and giving me the bill for the performance stuff.

All in all it was $3,299 out the door, I paid $900 and my SC paid $2399. I also had $100 in Amsoil tans oil.

Now time to save for the Juice/A2!waytogo

Hmm, I paid $2600.00 with a converter.
Glad to hear your truck is back on the road. sucks to have all that power sitting there and you cant move it.

Was that installed? .

Nope I installed it my self. Took me 6 hours out and back in. I'm sure it would have been faster but I had someone "helping" me by handing me adult beverages instead of tools.

Of course it was way easy with the lift, although it was almost to tall for the trany jack.

dan

I didn't have the motivation to do it myself. Plus, if I had told my SC I wanted to do it they would have laughed at me. They figure that no one knows what a wrench even is, which most people don't.

Besides, when your spending $3k on a tranny, whats another $300 to have the shop install it plus they give a better warranty when they do and are able to check with a pressure guage to make sure everything is working properly internally.

Doesn't bother me anyway, it only cost me $1000 said and done.:pimp: