IraPatterson

Hey Everyone,
I think my transmission might be running on its last leg. While driving yesterday I noticed it down shifting very, very aggressively. The fluid is fine, I do need to check the kick down cable and some other basic things but I am just (mentally) preparing myself for the worst.

My question what should I do as far as a transmission. Should I stick with an A518 or go a 47RH? Should I get a built up one similar to one of these ( http://www.4wheelonline.com/Products...roductId=10108) or just get rebuilt one, or try to find one from a junkyard or salvage yard? Would a 47RE work in our first generations? Or should I consider going a manual?

The biggest draw on my truck is the daily driving grind. The heaviest thing I ever tow is a loaded 20’ camp trailer, and I probably will not do anything more than the basics as far as performance upgrades on my engine (Stage IV turbo intake, 16cfm non-waste-gate exhaust housing, mild injector and pump tweaks, etc). However, I do currently run 35’ tires, and will soon be running TRUE 37” tall tires with 3.53 gearing which will put a lot of strain on the transmission.

I think that just getting a good, rebuilt one would be plenty for my truck, however, the tall tires and high gearing does make me think that I should consider a built up one. Any advice or input you have would be greatly appreciated.

sdstriper

If you swapped to a lock-up OD transmission the 47RH is the easier choice if you can call it easy... The RE transmissions are electronic controlled, PCM or ECU, whatever you call it, that is an expensive addition to the conversion. Regarding your link, I personally would not spend that much money on a transmission, I don't care who builds it, the prices are inflated. For the power and drivetrain you have, I would spend a considerable amount of time looking for a shop that knows what the heck they are doing before I dropped 3500+ bucks on just the tranny. I think you can get a quality built unit with a converter and still have money to burn in comparison to those prices.