Have about 20K mile on my truck so I thought it was about time to have maintenance performed on the transmission. I asked the dealer what it would cost to have the filter changed and the fluid changed/flushed. The dealer told me it would cost about $300 to have this work done or I could just have the transmission flushed for $130. I really want the filter changed but $300 sounds a little high. What do you folks think; is $300 too high or not?

Also, I'm not too crazy about the 48RE for towing. It gets the job done but it could be a lot better. I have thought about getting an after market transmission with a beefed up torque converter, valves, etc. The two that I have heard the most about are the DTT and the ATS. My objective is to minimize slipping while towing my 5th wheel camper (weights about 13,000 lbs.) and to be able to add an exhaust brake. From what I have read on this forum, I believe the ATS and DTT would reduce slipping and permit an exhaust brake but I also really think the transmission needs 1 or 2 more gears, especially for pulling hills. I would hate to spend $6,000 or $7,000 for a transmission and exhaust brake and still not be happy because it needs more gears. I really don't know what to do. Your suggestions would be most appreciated.

 

i paid $200 canadian to get mine flushed and new filter.

 

skip the flush,do it yourself............bama

 

I'm with Bama, at the same time trade your stock pan in for a new aluminum unit with more capacity and a drain plug, a temp sensor is optional

Rick

 

Thanks for the responses. I may change the fluid and filter myself. Is there a drain plug on the torque converter?

 

Filter is good for up to 90k.Let the dealer FLUSH IT and don't worry about the filter.There is NO drain on the torque convertor.

 

From what I can gather the 20k tranny maintenance is to drop the pan, change filter, and fill with 5 quarts of fresh fluid. (4 quarts, and fill as needed with 5th)
The ATF-4 will replenish itself if you do this routine every 20k. The new filter should keep everything clean.
I'm going to use 15k intervals.
Tranny flush is not good on these trucks.
DK

 

a flush is always best., just dropping the pan to change the fluid only gets about 25% of the old fluid out.,


and i would have someone beef up your stock tranny., about $4k and you are done.,

 

Thanks for the advice on servicing my 48RE. I always get helpful suggestions from this site. However, there were no comments on the DTT and ATS transmission upgrades. The combined gross vehicle weight of my truck and 5th-wheel camper is about 23K pounds. We like to vacation in the Rocky Mountains. I would feel a lot more comfortable if the 48RE would provide more help in descending steep grades. I am on the fence as to whether or not to get the upgrades. Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

A flush has 2 problems:
1-Old filter, the filter is the most important part of the 20k service.
2-The fluid needs to be ATF+4, which is only bottled by Mopar. Unless done at the dealer, its almost a 100% gaurantee that you will get the cheepest tranny fluid (as the flush machine requires bulk fluid), uncompatible, and liable for a warranty void.
The tranny is not a motor, all it needs is a new filter, and a top off with 5 quarts every 20k.

A deeper pan:
More fluid capacity which takes longer to heat it up, but once its hot, more fluid capacity takes longer to cool it down.

DK

 

Sorry the filter is good for MANY miles past 20k.Sold and handled hundreds of tranny flushs.Yes use Mopar ATF but most dealers have flush machines and the better more knowledgeable will tell you first filter change bewteen 60k and 90k.You can also take your Mopar ATF+4 with you to any garage that uses a flush machine.There the best thing that EVERY happened to a auto trans in the way of maintance.Lots of vehicles now don't even have a filter you can service unless in a major repair.The dealers I have been with recomended filters at 90k unless HEAVY towing and then it was 60k.We recomended a flush every 30k max.Some company work trucks did sooner if fliud condition looked poor(drivers usually had them slammed to the floor all the time)

 

Did they issue another tsb out for the transmission fluid recommended interval of 30K? Or did I miss something.

 

I have the same question as nonford. Inmy manual it states a 30 K service interval. Also I had the filter and fluid change at my dealer at 28K cost me $119.00 for the service. This was about 6 months ago.

 

The owners' manual does say that the transmission should be serviced at 30K intervals. However, I do a lot of towing and thought maybe I would service mine at 20 to 25K intervals. Probably not necessary, but hopefully a little extra protection. The only major problem I've ever had with heavy-duty diesel pickup is with the transmissions.

 

What basis is everyone going off of that says such high intervals to change out the filter. As cheap as the filter is why not change it and have a little more insurance for keeping everything running smoothly. I am in the process of getting a stage V ats tranny installed and at 28k the fluid had a burnt smell and did not look like close to new fluid. The tranny guys that pulled it out today said there was contaminants in the pan, tomorrow he is tearing it apart to find out what is trashed.