My A518 tranny is junk. I was thinking of swapping to a allison at545.
Anyone done this,
Any shift kits for these or whats the general thought?

 

Nothing?

 

No experience myself but I have always heard that they are junk.

My brother got a deal on a couple of them a few years ago and after a little searching he decided that they are better off in the school bus that they came out of. It seems as though that is the same opinion that comes up in the searches on here too.

 

They are very heavy, very heavy duty, you will need a body lift to clear it because it is large and heavy. Some guys use them in the pullers but some classes don't allow them. They don't have an overdrive, either.

Now in a big truck or even the 700 series behind the 400hp Cummins Big Cam III in my semi.....very sweet!

 

It seems everything I've read on here! Regarding the allison 545 contradicts what I've read through the allison website, i have a 95 dodge ram 2500 with the 47rh transmission i use it to tow my 11meter race car trailer. I was a little concerned regarding the longevity of the 47rh. Research tells me the 95 dodge ram 3500 and the motor home as well as the school bus comes form the factory with the at545. Admittedly its made to handle 235hp, and apparently no lockup converter. 4th gear is 1.00 so there's no overdrive as such. Can someone tell me if the allison is a better choice then the 47rh. I've increased hp, and changed delivery valves191 , fuel torque plate #6 and have around 25psi boost, exhaust upgrade. I have no hp figures but im certain it's more then the 160 hp which transmission would be more reliable. Thanks Walter

 

The at545 was never used in a factory application dodge truck. Whatever source of information you read this from is complete bs. I wouldn't even consider using the Allison at545 in your dodge truck for numerous reasons.

The 47rh is a great transmission, its biggest trouble is everyone turns up the horsepower in the truck and then the trans slips or fails and it's the trucks fault and the trans is junk in the owners mind.

Why on earth would you turn up your trucks horsepower without first addressing the transmission to handle your horsepower goals. If these trucks had the proper transmission maintenance and the engines left at stock it's not uncommon to see them at well over 250,000 miles without rebuilds. That's hardly junk in my mind. The Chrysler 4 speed autos can be built to handle three times their original horsepower rating.

 

Deere country worded it just like I would have.
Spot on info, right there.

 

IMO scrap the allison Idea and go for a 47rh Much better trans then a 518 and you gain lock up ability Man what a Difference over a 518 and it's a dodge trans and all you need for swap is second gen adapter plate and starter and then shorten drivelines

 

I love my 47RH. The problems I had in the beginning where not the fault of the transmission, but the crook that overhauled it.

 

I had the same experience with my A518.
Sheared flexplate, expanded TQ, OD clutches, and redone shift kit later, it's all good.