Tim Holt knows his stuff, He is a very knowlage guy who knows exactly what this tranny is capapable of in stock form and the correct upgrade proceedure for the horsepower level that you want to put to the ground...

 

First post here but driving my 4th Dodge Cummins. Keep in mind the stock torque converter has a stall speed of around 2100rpm. This allows the engine to get into it's power band (full boost) easily if it needs to. But it also allows it to get to 2100rpm pretty easily for light stuff. I feels pretty sluggish until you get to the 2100rpm stall speed. Then it pulls strong. I wouldn't worry about it as long as it's not surging while it's doing it. A tranny temp gauge should remove any worry of overheating. Mine rarely gets over 190*F while moving my 5th wheel around on soft ground. It sees 2000rpm any time it gets bogged down a little. Also, over 7,000 lbs up a steep boat ramp ain't too light!

 

Keep in mind the stock torque converter has a stall speed of around 2100rpm. This allows the engine to get into it's power band (full boost) easily if it needs to. But it also allows it to get to 2100rpm pretty easily for light stuff.

This is exactly how mine feels. If I baby it I can keep the revs down, but more power and it just jumps to 2100 and stays there.

 

Thanks for the replies. I don't know if I have a problem or not yet. I was just under the impression that this truck had enough grunt to get up a boat ramp with little throttle. It seems ok on the road other than the occasional fumble for the right gear.

I will try the "curb" test when I get a chance and report back. I also will try to get ahold of Mr. Holt. Upgrading the tranny may be the "safe" mod that I have been looking for.

 

OK. I'll buy all that. Now, does the switchover to 4HI change the TC stall characteristics? Because, I switched it over and BAM, it went right over the hump at nearly idle RPMs where it would not budge in 2WD without some major revving (in fact, I never did get it to move in 2WD for fear of damaging something). Again, no tirespin.

Neil

 

The 99 dually that I have now is my 4Th 3/4 ton 4x4 with an automatic transmission, and I plow an awful lot of snow in the winter and tow quite heavy by times. I was told by a guy who repairs automatics that when ever pulling away on any kind of a steep grade whether empty or towing to always pull the shifter down into first gear, by doing this you take all the guess work from the transmission as to what gear to use and all the slipping is taken out of the bands as you have locked the tranny directly into 1st gear. Then once over the hump you shift it up into drive.
I've put well over 150,000 miles on each of these trucks without having any transmission or torque converter problems.

 

I was backing my fiver into its storage spot next to my house. Unfortunately, there's only one "R". That's good info, though, for future towing trips.

Thanks,
Neil

 

Coolslice, Have the dealer check it for your own piece of mind, but what your experiencing is totally normal w/ these trucks. I've got 2 boats (light fishing/bass boat and a 6000+lb ski boat when my fat saks are full) both of these boats and trailers pull the same off the boat ramps here in Austin (very steep). Hannibal is exactly right about the 2000+ rpm engagement. Dont plan on that truck moving (on any grade) until the revs are up, and DO NOT use 4x4 unless tire slippage is an issue. These trucks are awesome but w/o any boost the engine will not perform. Please, no more talk of having the other brand's trucks. I've got 1 of each (in diesel) I use for work only and these ctd's are the best of all worlds.
Just my .02

 

My 48re shifts smoothly and doesn't "slip" when pulling a boat up a ramp. I'd get it looked at by the dealer.

 

if your getting smooth shifts, you might wanna get yours checked at the dealer...i've driven several of these auto's and in everyone of them, i could definitely feel the shifts!!
later, dustin

 

Feel yes, smooth yes, abrupt nooooooooooooooooo, and does not search for a gear as stated in earlier part of thread. Still waiting for the curb test results?