Being a manual tranney guy my whole life I am finding it really hard to make the jump over to the Auto, I mean all the DC autos can be extremely strong if you want to dump 2k into it, but I would rather dump a couple of thousand into somewhere else. The reason that I am asking is because I am really having to use my truck for my business alot now and it involves quit a bit of city driving, my left leg gets pretty tired by the end of the day. Thanks for any feedback. Mike

 

I am sold on the new automatic for general purpose use. I have both transmissions in my 03's. The automatic thus far can be used by any of the hired help, and had not even sneezed in 9,600 miles. I cannot say the same for the 6 speed, it has been in the shop so often that I have my own spot reserved!<br><br>We pull heavy beavertails, farm equipment, and just about anything with these trucks. Abuse is probably the best description! These rigs are on the road 6 days a week, for two work shifts, so they are getting used.<br><br>I only expect the automatic to last about 150,000 miles before it has to be gone through, but that is 150,000 miles of semi-skilled drivers bouncing and jerking around, getting stuck and pouring it on with four wheel drive. I could never get a clutch past 15,000 miles with the help driving. So, the ultimate operating cost of the automatic will probably be less. I will know in about a year for sure.<br><br>The only thing I did was have the system flushed and Amsoil put in to replace the OEM fluid.

 

Your prob. the one to tell us. I don't remember reading of anyone else getting that kind of use out of the truck on a continous basis. I'd ask the the old 47RE guys on the 2nd gen page and see how there 47's are holding up. The 48 is just a better version of the 47. <br><br>Makes me wonder when dodge says it designed the 48RE to last 150,000 miles before rebuild what that really means in terms of use. A guy like myself won't be using the truck to tow all the time where someone like RCW might. I wonder if I would get more miles out of it than say RCW since he tows more. ???