Dodge Ram transmission reliability

[Likes_to_tow]

I have an 05 Cummins 5.9 with the 48RE automatic transmission. It has 107K miles and so far absolutely no transmission issues. However I have changed the fluid every 35K miles. How long will this thing last.

I would just be interested in how many miles you have on your 3rd Gen truck with the 48RE and if you had transmission problems at what mileage???

[rhagfo]

FishOnOne wrote:

bucky wrote:
After every pull over 500 miles or a combination of pulls exceeding 500 miles I drain the pan and add fresh fluid to the proper level.

Why???

X2!
Waste of good fluid!

[FishOnOne]

bucky wrote:
After every pull over 500 miles or a combination of pulls exceeding 500 miles I drain the pan and add fresh fluid to the proper level.

Why???

[garyp4951]

That is correct, the plastic threads are stripped by over tightening. $1000 for Mr. Brockman

[Grit_dog]

bucky wrote:
Another 05 here at 215K with no trans problems.
The truck is totally stock and has been a workhorse it's entire life. I pulled the pan about a year ago to check for debris and installed a drain plug at that time. Don't try to install a plug without dropping the pan as there is a lot of "stuff" in there that a drill could eat. After every pull over 500 miles or a combination of pulls exceeding 500 miles I drain the pan and add fresh fluid to the proper level. Longest pull was just over 6,000 miles. I was a little nervous on that one.

I'm assuming I'm somehow mis-interpreting your post.
Surely you don't change out half the fluid in your trans every 500 miles....

[gsbrockman]

ifd22 wrote:

mowingman wrote:
So far, not too impressed with the transmission in the diesels. I have a 2016, 2WD, 3500 pickup. It is currently in the shop with transmission problems, at 65,000 miles. The book says to change trans. oil and trans. filter at around 60,000, so being a by-the-rules kind of guy, I took it in for service. About 10 minutes after I picked it up at the dealership, a check engine light came on and the trans. did not downshift properly. Dealership says some valve in the trans. is bad, and they are dropping the trans. and repairing it under warranty.It is not the Asin trans., just the normal trans. they commonly use in those trucks.
So, I am not real happy about this. On the other hand, it could have gone out while pulling the 5er about 1000 miles from home. Oh Well, it is warranty.

I think they are pulling your leg, it’s a little coincidental that you had issues within minutes of picking it up. My bet is they didn’t properly seat your filter which is common with the 68rfe. It sounds better on their part to blame the transmission then to blame themselves.

I’ll take “What is over-tightening of the spin-on transmission cooler filter?” For $1,000 Alex.......

[Likes_to_tow]

bucky wrote:
Another 05 here at 215K with no trans problems.
The truck is totally stock and has been a workhorse it's entire life. I pulled the pan about a year ago to check for debris and installed a drain plug at that time. Don't try to install a plug without dropping the pan as there is a lot of "stuff" in there that a drill could eat. After every pull over 500 miles or a combination of pulls exceeding 500 miles I drain the pan and add fresh fluid to the proper level. Longest pull was just over 6,000 miles. I was a little nervous on that one.

Thanks for your reply. I have never had a transmission problem in any vehicle I've owned. I drive properly and allow smooth shifts when possible, change fluid often and have a temperature gauge on the output line to the cooler so I know in advance when temperature is building. I'm going to have the bands adjusted on this one and continue using it like always. If I do have a major breakdown while on the road with the 5th wheel I will contact Jasper to send me a re manufactured replacement.

[bucky]

Another 05 here at 215K with no trans problems.
The truck is totally stock and has been a workhorse it's entire life. I pulled the pan about a year ago to check for debris and installed a drain plug at that time. Don't try to install a plug without dropping the pan as there is a lot of "stuff" in there that a drill could eat. After every pull over 500 miles or a combination of pulls exceeding 500 miles I drain the pan and add fresh fluid to the proper level. Longest pull was just over 6,000 miles. I was a little nervous on that one.

[dodge_guy]

Properly maintained the 48RE will last for a long time.

[Cummins12V98]

Keep the bands adjusted along with complete fluid change.

I have about 130k on my 2001 Sport.

[mowingman]

Yes, it seems like a funny coincidence to me also. Well, they WILL work on it under warranty until it is fixed right. You can be sure of that.

[Super_Dave]

When I bought my heavy 5er the transmission was my biggest fear. I upgraded my torque converter and no problem so far.

[ifd22]

mowingman wrote:
So far, not too impressed with the transmission in the diesels. I have a 2016, 2WD, 3500 pickup. It is currently in the shop with transmission problems, at 65,000 miles. The book says to change trans. oil and trans. filter at around 60,000, so being a by-the-rules kind of guy, I took it in for service. About 10 minutes after I picked it up at the dealership, a check engine light came on and the trans. did not downshift properly. Dealership says some valve in the trans. is bad, and they are dropping the trans. and repairing it under warranty.It is not the Asin trans., just the normal trans. they commonly use in those trucks.
So, I am not real happy about this. On the other hand, it could have gone out while pulling the 5er about 1000 miles from home. Oh Well, it is warranty.

I think they are pulling your leg, it’s a little coincidental that you had issues within minutes of picking it up. My bet is they didn’t properly seat your filter which is common with the 68rfe. It sounds better on their part to blame the transmission then to blame themselves.

[transamz9]

I also have a 2005 and it's no secret what it has pulled it's entire life. It is now retired to a garage queen( 3500 miles since 2013). It has 96,000 miles on it with 75% being overloaded and 50% of those miles have been on the highest setting on a Bully Dog programmer with their factory box tune. Still factory untouched powertrain front to rear.

[SidecarFlip]

Likes to tow wrote:
I have an 05 Cummins 5.9 with the 48RE automatic transmission. It has 107K miles and so far absolutely no transmission issues. However I have changed the fluid every 35K miles. How long will this thing last.

I would just be interested in how many miles you have on your 3rd Gen truck with the 48RE and if you had transmission problems at what mileage???

It will last until it pukes which, could be anytime, today included.

[JesLookin]

My 03 Cummins 5.9 with the 48RE automatic transmission gave us no problems. Traded it at about 165,000 miles. New '14 still going strong at about 65,000.