I recently purchased a 2004 Ram with a 48 RE transmission and I am wondering how to get the most life out of the transmission. It has a tow/haul mode, but no OD off. The truck towed a mid size trailer only half dozen times over the course of 3 months according to the previous owner. It was well maintained and now has 48K on it and the transmission seems to function well. It has positive shifts, even into overdrive, and does no hunting like I have heard many have problems with and I feel the torque converter shifting as well. I drive it in the tow/haul mode unless I am driving above 50 mph and after driving a month or so I discovered that when shifting into OD at 50 mph, the engine rpms drop to the 1300-1400 range, so I am now shifting into OD at 55-60. Most of my driving is around town and 50-60 mph on freeway.
I tow a 26’ travel trailer, 7100# dry weight, probably 10 times a year around Washington state and an occasional longer trip in the western US and/or Canada. The truck speed limits are 60-65 mph and I tow at those speeds conservatively and shift out of OD when pulling a grade.

I plan on putting on an oversized transmission pan with cooling capabilities and changing fluid every 20K. The tires are 265/70R17 winter tread and I have also toyed with the idea of putting on smaller 16” tires and wheels off season to increase engine rpms and more fluid through the tranny. The engine is stock and to keep the warranty intact, I don’t plan on any mods until after it expires. Does this sound like a good plan? Any other suggestions to maximize the life of the transmission?

 

These trans are a lot tougher than most people give them credit for,i haul 23000 lbs gross,has had a chip since new,tow on the 40 hp setting,fool around on the 80- 100 hp setting with few jack rabbit starts or abuse,service and adjust it myself,great trans.

 

I got 200,000 miles out of my stock 48RE. It was towed heavy for 91,000 of those miles before I bought it. You don't really need the deep pan for your use. I would change the fluid and filter every 20,000 miles though.

 

They are a good tranny unless you don't take care of them or you add more power. Stock form, they fair pretty well.

You will not be able to get 16's on there due to the brakes.

 

The TH button you have is really only an OD off like the older trucks. When you engage TH on your truck you are really locking out OD. With the weight and speeds you are talking about you should be able to run in OD all the time with no problems. If it won't stay in OD a lockup switch will cure that but you need to make sure you have the power and trans pressures to use it effectively.

I have frequently towed Snoqualimie and Yakima hill with 6-10k and if my truck came out of OD it was a rarity. That being said I have the power to keep it in OD and the tran upgrades to handle it.

The single best upgrade you can do to the trans is a shift kit. The stock unit is borderline enough pressure to keep things from slipping. A deep pan is really not needed with what you are towing as the stock cooler is quite efficient. A good mod is remove the drain back valve check ball in the hot cooler line to promote better flow thru the cooler. Either changing one valve in the VB or adding a shift kit will fix the no circulate in park issue which is always a plus.

A stock 48RE is a good unit. A few simple upgrades and changes make it an outstanding unit.

 

I did not think the 04 had the check valve...........not arguing.....just what I was told. Unless you do the mods as 6 oh no recommended.......do not idle in park as it does not circulate fluid while in park with a stock tranny.....idle only in neutral.

 

ALL those Chrysler units have the check valve.Don't know about the new 6 speed unit but any rear wheel drive Chrysler has a check valve(all 48re's do) and has for years.Cut the one out of my 1998 1500 years ago.After sitting all night or a few days I start it in neutral.

 

The 04 Tow/Haul button stops 4th gear completely. It will still lock up in 3rd gear but wont shift into 4th until you take it off tow haul mode.

 

i got 15,000 out of mine!! But i really put the horspower to it!!

 

Don't know why they call it tow/haul as its od lockout like all previous years.05 was first true tow/haul.

 

Kinda off topic.....do any of you smell the tranny when towing?
When haling my TT and now the 5ver, at a stop, I smell tranny fluid...
I run a gauge and the temp is good, but the whole engine/tranny just smells HOT and I get wiffs of tranny fluid. Never seen a leak of any kind.

 

Check around the trans bolts for weeping. Tighen if required.

 

My 05 got 37,000 out of the 1st trans. Grenaded completely. It has now had 4 rebuilds. My 07 has 42,000 on it now and the 48RE is driving me nuts.

 

Your real close to Suncoast, Will be the last trans you will need full billet and triple disc convertor and flex plate!

 

hi
get a transgo t f o d - diesel valve body kit installed and add a nice large extra cooler in adition to the stock one and you should be fine !