Well I got a 47rh sittin here in my shop that ran when i pulled it and I'm still debatin whether I wanna put it in as it is for a while or build it up first. Built transmissions are just so freakin expensive. And I was thinkin I could build me a pretty dang good tranny for around $2,000 in parts. Mostly I want a good tc, not sure if i want a single or triple disc yet, an upgraded valve body and/or shift kit, billet input shaft, and added clutches and not sure what else i'd want. I'll probably go with goerend or DTT parts. I can find a good upgraded rebuild kits for aroun $300 and manuals for around $30. So I was thinkin about gettin a rebuild kit, and all the parts and get a manual and just rebuild it myself and save a lot of money since thats where tranny shops make there money is on the labor. But how hard is it to rebuild one? I've heard they are pretty hard but if you take your time and take it one piece at a time then its not bad. I'm the kind of guy that can look at instructions or a picture and figure things out pretty easily. After all, thats how I've done just about everything on this truck thanks to you guys. I'm willing to learn and like to learn new things. I know if i rebuilt it my transmission myself I wouldn't have a warranty though and something could go wrong. I was thinkin about buildin it then takin it to a transmission shop and have them test it for me and make sure there is no leaks and what not. What do you guys think? How hard is it? or should i just wait and spend more money and have it done?

 

- What are you gonna do with the truck? Racer/puller? Daily Driver or work truck pulling horses through the mountains?
- The above answer may influence weather you run hardened shafts ($$$) for example.
- Oh, and doing it yourself ultimately means you'll have a lifetime warranty.

 

Mostly a hot rod, might race a little with it, might do a few truck pulls. And will probably tow a little once in a while. But probably mostly I want it to be pretty quick and get down the road. I know i want a billet input, but wasn't sure if i needed a billet intermediate and output, I've heard they are good for up to 600hp or so. But I do want something that will hold up to about 500 to 600hp.

 

bump. any thoughts?

 

they alot more complicated than I would want to tackle without some knowledgeable help.

 

X2!!!

 

i'd buy the parts and find a local shop to put it together. like a Mom & Pop type of place?

 

the only hard thing about rebiulding 727 518 618 is doing the valve body the rest is just not that hard. You only need a few speacal tools but you can get by most of the time with a pair of C clamps but on the 518 618 you need the tools for the od spring Ken

 

I have dealt with MANY chrysler Autos from the 904, to the 618, and so on. They are all basically the same tranny from the roots. Honestly you can rebuild one without any special tools. I have used 3 large c clamp vise grips for taking some of the clutch packs appart. The major one has a bunch of little springs holding a against a snap ring, and I either use the c clamps, or if ya want I can send yo the mopar special tool to use. That and the Overdrive unit are the hardest parts, and I have the OD tools also. Basically a splined shaft to keep everything in line during assy. I also have fabbed up a very nice little fixture for my engine stang that holds the tranny up, and is spinnable 360 degrees.

I deal with Pat Storey of SMR trannys out of canada eh, He is great, and accually built the tranny thats in my Dads truck. I put a mopar performance 402ci crate engine it it, and kept all the EFI, and BS along with it, and it destroyed the stock trans. So if ya have anny questions about them just PM me, and Ill see what I can do for ya. As for the valve body just use a digital camers if ya have one, and take pictures for referance. I have done enought of them its kinda memory. But I still need to refer to a service manual for specs and so on.

Kasey

 

I know of a really good diesel shop that does full DTT builds and I've heard nothin but good about their trannys, but they quoted me it'd be around $4,000 for it. I just don't know if I want to put that much into a tranny, thats a lot of money, and then the tranny would almost be worth more than the whole truck itself. If I can cut that price in half and do it myself and actually learn some things while I'm doin it then I think it'd be well worth it. I'm thinkin If i have problems and get sick of it then I will just take it to a tranny shop and have them do it, but might as well try it first. I was thinkin about just buyin a manual first and lookin through it and seein how complicated it is. I have the tranny out just sitting here waiting and my a518 hasn't taken a dump yet. I'm still debatin if i want to just throw it in with a Shift kit or somethin for now or wait and build it up. Would I need a shift kit with an aftermarket valve body? And how hard are shift kits to put in? Also what billet parts do ya think I'll need. Thanks for all the help and advice.

 

Yeah ATS quoted roughly $6,000 for our 47rh in our 01.5. It has to be installed by a licensed shop or else they won't honor their warranty. they really stand behind their trans though. 5 years/500,000 miles!

 

for 6000 dollars and the price to have someone install it i would buy another 1st gen or have a g56 with a really expensive clutch in it.

 

Yeah ATS does have one of the best warrantys in the business but I've heard good and bad about their trannys. And just like JBradley said, might as well buy another truck. I'd really like to just save some money.

 

do a search for 518 service manual on google. free manuals out there for download.

 

That's what I said. I guess that's what my dad gets buying an automatic truck for my sister to drive. He would be replacing bumpers, pilot bearings, synchros, and clutches if it were a stick. They'll never learn.