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Re: What year did dodge truck trans get better
[Re: Chilort]
#907139
01/17/11 11:07 PM
01/17/11 11:07 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,158
Park Forest, IL
slantzilla
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,158
Park Forest, IL
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My '00 Dakota R/T has almost 175,000 on it on the original drivetrain. (Even U-joints too) Only trouble I ever had with the trans was the little clip that holds the boost valve in broke and it started throwing a code. (140,000 miles) I took it to a local dealer and was told that "it needs a complete overhaul". I pulled the VB myself, took the VB out of a trans I bought off the Internet, and swapped them. Trans has worked fine ever since. I have raced the truck, hauled more crap than you can imagine, and pulled my race car trailer with it. I still get people telling me I better not pull the trailer in OD or it will kill the trans.  I change fluid/filter every 30,000. 
"Everybody funny, now you funny too."
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Re: What year did dodge truck trans get better
[Re: slantzilla]
#907140
01/18/11 01:12 AM
01/18/11 01:12 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 92
PA
68_CONV_300
member
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member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 92
PA
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I'm with the believers ... my 2005 3500 CTD auto with a Reading service body (truck and tools weigh 8500) has over 150,000 on the original trans ... change the fluid and adjust the bands every 50,000 and no trouble what so ever ... oh yea I regularly (twice a week ) pull a 7500 lb trailer to and from job sites ... if you service them they last longtime
Last edited by accmec; 01/18/11 01:12 AM.
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Re: What year did dodge truck trans get better
[Re: 68_CONV_300]
#907141
01/18/11 02:57 PM
01/18/11 02:57 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,648
GA
Boosted
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,648
GA
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I would remind everyone that those who have the diesel trucks and the auto that has lasted is not bombed....
Put any real hp/tq to it and it will die quickly.
2011 RAM3500
1967 Fastback Barracuda with some go fast goodies.
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Re: What year did dodge truck trans get better
[Re: Boosted]
#907143
01/18/11 04:30 PM
01/18/11 04:30 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,067
Irving, TX
feets
Senior Management
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Senior Management
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,067
Irving, TX
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Quote:
I would remind everyone that those who have the diesel trucks and the auto that has lasted is not bombed....
Put any real hp/tq to it and it will die quickly.
I deleted my muffler and tweaked the pump on my 92 Cummins when the truck had 127,000 miles. The transmission started slipping in OD at 273,000 miles. When I tore it down there was nothing wrong inside. All the friction materials were in great shape and the steels had no signs of heat. There was no debris in the pan.
The seals were bad.
Not bad for a truck that has been raced, off roaded, jumped, used for hauling, and thoroughly abused.
We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon
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Re: What year did dodge truck trans get better
[Re: Boosted]
#907144
01/18/11 04:37 PM
01/18/11 04:37 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 92
PA
68_CONV_300
member
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member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 92
PA
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Quote:
I would remind everyone that those who have the diesel trucks and the auto that has lasted is not bombed....
Put any real hp/tq to it and it will die quickly.
So you mean if I make 50% more HP and torque than the factory designed it for it will not last 
Thanks for the input there Captain obvious 
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Re: What year did dodge truck trans get better
[Re: 68_CONV_300]
#907145
01/18/11 04:55 PM
01/18/11 04:55 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,648
GA
Boosted
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,648
GA
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Thanks Private Ryan...
What I am saying is that if you leave the older autos stock they will last..
As I said earlier the newer 6spd autos will last with the additional hp of say 150hp. The old one like you have and older will not..
So the newer trans are stronger... That is when they got better as per the question of the original poster.. I did not see him ask anyone how to maintain one...
As far as pre 2000.. I like the 47rh better than the re...
2011 RAM3500
1967 Fastback Barracuda with some go fast goodies.
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Re: What year did dodge truck trans get better
[Re: feets]
#907146
01/18/11 06:32 PM
01/18/11 06:32 PM
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,813
MI, usa
dvw
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,813
MI, usa
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Quote:
Pulling hard with the lock up converters would lead to converter clutch failure. That sent debris through the system and OD would fail.
I'm not sure if the problem would go away with regular servicing or if the converter clutches were simply too weak for heavy duty use.
I agree. I've overhauled a few that check valve in the trans line near the regulator became clogged. I believe it was with debris from the torque converter clutch. This blocks the return from the cooler which doubles as the lube feed for the overdrive. No lube spells disaster.
Doug
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Re: What year did dodge truck trans get better
[Re: generallee6901]
#907148
01/19/11 01:46 AM
01/19/11 01:46 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,419
Kalispell Mt.
HotRodDave
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,419
Kalispell Mt.
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The problem with the lock up converters was not the fact it was lock up. The problem is they try to make all the shifts real smooth so customers don't notice the shifts, %99 of customers want a silky smooth shift. To get a smooth shift you engage clutches and bands more slowly, this allows them to heat up and burn then fall apart. The old fluids that chrysler used allowed the clutches to grab each other faster and burn less but shift harder. The ATF+5 is very low friction for smooth shifts and is bad in the trannys that were originally desighned for the higher friction fluid, the low friction fluid was a cheesy way to soften the shift. I worked at a dodge dealer in 01 and 02 and we replaced TONS of trannys. It was NOT an issue of service or not as 1/2 of them were not even due for their first service. They had new TSBs almost every year for all sorts of little things in those trannys, I like most people figured I was just seeing the worst in a manufacturer because I was a dealer tech, then I went to Toyota and replaced 2 a year instead of 2 a week. The newer mopar trannys are much better at dealing with the crappy new fluids unlike the a-500 and 518s that were desighned to work with the old high friction fluid. I always use Type-F when I build a tourqueflite based trans and have not had a single comeback on one (knock on wood).
I am not causing global warming, I am just trying to hold off a impending Ice Age!
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Re: What year did dodge truck trans get better
[Re: 6T6Cuda]
#907149
01/19/11 05:00 AM
01/19/11 05:00 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,313
Great White North
Wheeler
Master
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Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,313
Great White North
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Quote:
I know they had a lot of trouble with the dodge truck trans (overdrive). I am looking to buy a truck what year did they get better - if ever?
I am mostly looking at stuff before 2000
The 4 speed automatics on the 1989-2001 Ram trucks are a crapshoot. It really depends how the transmission was maintained, how the truck was driven, etc. I don't know if there was a "good year" for these transmissions. Some transmissions can last a long time and other will fail within a short period of time.
If you are concerned about transmission reliability, I would look at a 2002 & newer Ram truck with the 4.7L or 5.7 Hemi V8. The 545RFE automatic transmissions in these trucks are more reliable and tend to have a better service record than the old 4 speed automatics.
Just my 
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Re: What year did dodge truck trans get better
[Re: 6T6Cuda]
#907151
01/19/11 10:53 AM
01/19/11 10:53 AM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 12,008
Finally a HUSKER again
Moparnut426
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 12,008
Finally a HUSKER again
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Quote:
I know they had a lot of trouble with the dodge truck trans (overdrive). I am looking to buy a truck what year did they get better - if ever?
I am mostly looking at stuff before 2000
From a dodge/GM service tech.
There never was really anything wrong with the 518 through the 48RFE. The customers just didnt want to pop them out of OD. Yes the earlie trannies had less fluid flow to the overdrive unit, but not starving it. My dads 97 Dodge 1 ton van had 285000 miles on it, he is in the floor covering business, he bought the Van with 14000 on it and when the tranny did chuck out he got it burried in a snow drift, and rocked it to sleep. So I rebuilt that tranny and the van has well over 350000 on it now and still rockin.
My 91 Dodge Cimmins has the non lock up 618 overdrive in it, and its te origional tranny at 198000 miles. It still shifting GREAT, and when I serviced it it was blood red with minimal debris in the pan. It is going to need a Kit when I get done wakeing up the Cummins, but its still fine in stock form.
I really think the whole Dodge = Crappo overdrive trannies is an overblown myth.
Kasey
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Re: What year did dodge truck trans get better
[Re: Moparnut426]
#907152
01/19/11 06:15 PM
01/19/11 06:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,840
The Swamp
Sixpak
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,840
The Swamp
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Quote:
Quote:
I know they had a lot of trouble with the dodge truck trans (overdrive). I am looking to buy a truck what year did they get better - if ever?
I am mostly looking at stuff before 2000
From a dodge/GM service tech.
There never was really anything wrong with the 518 through the 48RFE. The customers just didnt want to pop them out of OD. Yes the earlie trannies had less fluid flow to the overdrive unit, but not starving it. My dads 97 Dodge 1 ton van had 285000 miles on it, he is in the floor covering business, he bought the Van with 14000 on it and when the tranny did chuck out he got it burried in a snow drift, and rocked it to sleep. So I rebuilt that tranny and the van has well over 350000 on it now and still rockin.
My 91 Dodge Cimmins has the non lock up 618 overdrive in it, and its te origional tranny at 198000 miles. It still shifting GREAT, and when I serviced it it was blood red with minimal debris in the pan. It is going to need a Kit when I get done wakeing up the Cummins, but its still fine in stock form.
I really think the whole Dodge = Crappo overdrive trannies is an overblown myth.
Kasey
My 94 Cummins used to kick itself out of O/D at 70 mph in cruise whenever it felt like it, scared the crap outta me a few times, like being slammed from behind, then the torque converter used to lock and uplock and essentially 'hunt' between 1800 and 2000 rpm while driving at 70. I unloaded it for an 01 6 speed HO stick and never looked back.
Any truck, IMO, that will see some real work, should have a stick, period...flame on... 
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Re: What year did dodge truck trans get better
[Re: 360view]
#907154
01/20/11 09:39 AM
01/20/11 09:39 AM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,162
USA
360view
Moparts resident spammer
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Moparts resident spammer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,162
USA
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