Hello all,

I'm new to the RAM diesel world. I've been driving Ford Rangers stick shifts for the last 15 years. . I decided I wanted a real truck so I made a giant leap of faith and bought what I feel is the ultimate truck.

I have some concerns that something is wrong with the tranny. I have read enough and drove the truck long enough to learn that the TC acts (what I think is) pretty weird. If I leave it in OD and just let it do it's thing with a steady pedal (no load), it seems to skip 2nd gear with some jumping of the TC. I'm not really sure what it's doing. If I go very slow, It shifts like I think an automatic should.

When I start out in first (manual shifting) with a steady 1/4 pedal the following sequence occurs:
After 1-2 shift, at 2000 RPM it drops 400RPM (lock?), build up to 22-2300, shift 2-3, at 2000 RPM it drops 400RPM(lock again?), build up to 22-2300, shift OD - TC is locked. This happens every time unless I'm just creeping along.

The automatic I'm used to driving is a 97 Grand Cherokee. I know that's an apples and oranges thing, but this tranny just seems wierd.

I've scoured this board looking for an answer and I've seen everything from a flash, to a kit, to a TC, to nothing's wrong.

Can any one straighten me out like a pretzel on this?

TIA!

 

This tranny is ok in some ways but I think chrysler has a real bad problem with the 48re. Mine is shot at 7k.

 

Nothing is wrong. Perfectly normal. Manually shifting will cause the converter to lock from 2nd up, thats what your rpm drops are. Going into OD actually pulses the converter lockup on and off quickly during the shift. It may seem to shift locked but it really doesn't.

The harder you drive it the better the trans reacts. It doesn't like a lot granny driving and tends to get confused about what gear it needs to be in.

Drive and enjoy.

 

I talked to a diesel tech at my local dealer and he said pretty much the same thing. Grammy driving will wear out these transmissions faster than normal or mildly aggressive driving.

If your truck is acting like mine, and waiting to upshift until high RPM (2200 to 2500 RPM) while granny driving (shifter in Drive with Tow/Haul off), you may have a sticky VB problem.

 

typical 48re junk

 

That's normal operation if you are shifting it manually. The question is why are you shifting it manually? Leave it in "D" and let it shift on its own and it won't do that in all the gears.

 

I was shifting it manually just to see what is does. It is so strange to me in "D", I was just checking

 

BTW, thanks for the replies!

 

I have 92,000 miles on mine without a problem. I have not heard of many problems with the 48RE, How does that make it typical? let alone junk?

If thats all you got, perhaps you should think twice before you post.

 

What he said.

 

Mine shifts fine. No issues at all their. It's holding together real good. I don't like the TC though. I feel it could be better. You don't have to drive it like you stole it to make it last. Just drive it normal and do your services. If you have an auto and are going to do some pulling you best have 4.10's. I would hate to have 3.73's and try to pull a heavy load. That would be bad, real bad.

 

I am on my 3rd TC, 2nd VB, 2nd O/D solenoid, 3rd flash & several other little things all under 15K mi. All this for a $42,300 price tag. I say junk as well.

 

I also agree JUNK!!!!!!!!!!.

 

Mine worked fine up until 92k miles. I have 100.5k now. Need a new VB and TC, so might as well get the darn thing rebuilt. It still gets me where I want to go, but I fear for the rest of the driveline if I don't get it fixed soon.

 

Maybe you should try using your computer a little more because i see that your very ill informed. Everybody knows these tranny's are decent at best for the truck. So MAYBE you should read a little more before you stick your clutches in your mouth!