This is my first auto, and I have always heard that Dodge trannys are lacking in the quality dept. Knowing this, I pay careful attention to my transmission. To me, my 48re has always seems like it shifts weird. I don't think it has ever "slipped" but I do have 2 questions.

1. Is it normal that the TC seems to engage with a clunck on take off? My truck will usually not move on take off until the TC sort of pops and then the truck will lurch forward and accelerate normally.

2. Under mild acceleration when the truck shifts into OD, the rpms will rev up about 500 rpms before it drops into gear. I really don't consider that slipping, but what do you guys think??

I know a better transmission is in my future, I just wasn't planning on doing that in the first 10k miles, but if it is going south I will have little choice. What do you guys think? I may be a bit paranoid, but I need a second opinion. Keep in mind that it has pretty much done this since it was new and I doubt the TST has caused this, but I know it doesn't help. Thanks.

 

ya before shifting into OD the RPM's do go a little wild sometimes.

yes, it does make a wierd clunk. i like how the tranny shifts real firm. On my hemi it would shift so simple you wouldnt feel it. i like the jolt

 

im opposite i hate that jolt, it made me think my tranny was gonna go south but i read here that it is normal and supposed to shift hard so i dont worry so much anymore, but even my g/f said i just wasted 33k for a pos tranny on how it feels when it shifts, especially when i haul...

 

I'm with you. I hate it... It doesn't feel normal to me or anyone riding with me. What makes me think that none of it is normal is the fact that it doesn't do it all the time. If it were normal, shouldn't it be consistant? I guess I need to start looking into a better transmission for peace of mind if nothing else. I don't want to cringe for the next few years wondering how much time the 48re has left after every jerky take off or wacky OD shift. Anyone know of a good place in my general area to get an ATS or DTT?

 

Lol, my transmission is consistently not normal Coolslice, the stuff you are experiencing is normal, and if you're not slipping or too tempted to use the higher levels on the TST, I'd suggest leaving your brand new trans you just paid for in the truck for a while.. I agree the trans takes some getting used to - it really doesn't seem to shift at logical points, or at least when I think it should. It also shifts very firmly, and at 50mph when my t/c locks (I wish it were higher) it makes a very pronounced vibration/resonance when it locks. My first impressions when I got the truck a year ago was that I made a huge mistake, and that the trans was a POS. Well 32k miles later, I am feeling a lot better about the choice. Yes the shift patterns are wacky and it's kinda rough, but I am feeling like it's actually a lot more solid than I originally thought. Eventually there will be an ATS or DTT unit, but from what I hear, I don't think they shift any softer/smoother. Also they don't change your shift pattern from what I have read, which is limited.. I know you can get a lockup controller and change those settings, but from what I hear, the performance transmisison shifts are as firm or firmer..

 

The firmer a transmission shifts the better for longevity purposes. It means there is less slipping which means less heat and longer life.

Firm shifts = good Smooth shifts = bad

This is just a guess but I assume the erratic shift points are a result of LOTS of torque in a very narrow RPM range.

The "clunk" on takeoff doesn't sound right though. Are you talking about normal/mild acceleration or hard acceleration or both?

 

Mine did some wierd stuff for the first 5,000 miles like rapid back and forth 3-4 shifting while under load, it seemed to get much better or go away after the last PCM flash.

I but no overspeed on shifting. I have started to notice some knocking when moving forward after backing up and some low speed "clunks" but with only 8,000 miles and the amount of loosness in the driveline I would guess it could likely have something to do with the transfer case.

I test drove a 2004.5 as a possible lemon trade but it shifted so irratically and has such a noticable whine while driving and at idle I declined the offer.

I know a person that experenced a 48re failure at 38,000 miles with only light towing. I would strongly consider some sort of extended warrenty as there is more then a few professionals taking shots at it:

http://www.portjeff.net/df5152/48%20...0TO%20FAIL.htm

 

I think I know what you mean about a low speed clunk--I have it too, it isn't right at take off, it's say 15 feet after you start after a stop sign, feels kind of like a shift but it isn't, also kind of like drive train slop but isn't. It also kind of gives you that whoopsy feeling in your stomach almost like being between gears on a 6 speed when you lose that forward momentum for just a second before resuming it. I have been wondering what it is but has done it since new so haven't worried too much about it, and you have to be paying attention to even notice it.

 

Wow mine has never done any clunking or anything taking off. Just the tq engagement at 50 is buzzy/rough.

Whether firm=good or bad I dont' really care, for passengers in my truck and daily driving, this thing shifts hard and at weird times. It's really annoying to be going 40 at 2000rpm and the thing won't shift until I go a bit faster or let off the pedal.

 

Its not the firmsness of the shifting that bothers me, it's the what the rpms do when it shifts and where it shifts at times. The clunk I speak of happens right at take off usually. If i'm sitting on a small hill getting ready to take off, sometimes I will let off the brake for a second and the hill will prevent the truck from rolling forward, that is until there is that "clunk" and the truck begins to move forward without me pressing the gas (fuel) pedal. The transmission is completly different with a small load, and I mean SMALL, like my 5x8 trailer with my atv on it. Some days it is fine and others it makes me wonder. At any rate I should have bought the 6 speed, for the mileage increase if nothing else.

 

I sometimes think I should have bought the 6sp but then I hit rush hour traffic and it's a toss up. The 6spd makes it so cheap for performance mods - just upgrade the clutch. Aside from that though, rowing through the gears on a big truck isn't that much fun.

I will say that when towing, my trans works awesome. The shifts are when expected and it seems more at home with a load behind.

 

The clunk sounds a little suspect to me. My 04 has the wierd shift points and does make a "clunk " when the TQ locks, however I thought the lock-up did not happen until around 45 miles per hour. I drive fairly conservative, but not like grandma either. I do not get any clunks leaving stop signs or in the first 15 feet of driving. The trans does shift is pretty firm, but I would rather have that than a lot of slippage to get a " soft shift" Just my exprence and .02 worth.

 

no clunk here whatsoever. , I do agree that she shifts so much better with my 10,000lbs trailer behind her

 

All I can say is when I get on it, it blows through the gears and that last shift really lunges me forward (empty). It's like WHOAH, there she is. When I am in a 40 zone, I do notice that @ about 40 she drops the RPM's and shifts with a nice firm feeling. I have no clanking, or any weird noises. I have no performance mods and am all stock. This is my first diesel so I really can't compare to anything else except for the test drives I had with the Fords, and GMC's. From that little experience, I can't say any was better in feeling the shifts. I am considering the Bully Dog Pup, but am stilling waiting on the code fixes and see what the new version will be like.

 

CLUNK=bad