I have a 2003 3500 crew cab dually with 5.9 ho motor with automatic trans.2 wheel drive..I pull a 44 ft gooseneck with race car and quad inside..had it weighed..little over 9500 pounds..I lost the trans other day..no signs..just quit..I'm in Tennessee and wonder if any you guys have same combo and what did you do to your trans..stock or after market mods..I'm told convertor came apart and I need to rebuild the trans..I keep hearing billet convertor and shafts and flywheel. .3 clutch billet convertor. .or just go back to stock? I run a smarty programmer that offer 100 hp and I think it was 150 torque. ..any idea how to build this is appreciated. ...

I have built many of these transmissions for CTD trucks at my shop. I recommend the triple disc torque converter for sure, especially since you have a Smarty. The TC is the weakest link of the trans. You can get by without the billet shafts and flexplate at your power level. Id install a shift kit or better yet a performance valve body if it is in the budget. Use a quality performance kickdown band in your rebuild. No Kevlar junk. In most 48REs I've had apart, the factory kickdown band was worn down to the rivets. One more thing, Install an upgraded GM style Governor pressure solenoid to help prevent future failures from the p.o.s. factory unit. FWIW, I use Suncoast converters and valvebodies.

I agree at your power and weight that the billet shafts are not needed, but it has been my experience that unless you go with an aftermarket valve body that has been calibrated for a triple disc converter you will get a very harsh lock-up.

Even doing the Trans-go shift kit will usually still have a some what harsh lock up engagement.

So unless I was going to get a built aftermarket valve body I would stick with a billet cover single disc converter.

I would also get a solid inter. band along with a billet band apply lever and anchor with a 4.2 apply lever and the GM style Gov sol.

I would also spring for a billet band servo with an o-ring cover and a billet accumulator.

As far as the rest of the unit just make sure they use a good clutch plate like Raybestos or Borg Warner and kolene steels and it will be good to go.

sure your engine is an HO? Early 03 CTD's had the same lowly 47RE my 01 had. If it is a HO and has the 48RE I'm kind of surprised you killed it at that weight..... Either way over 100K ago I called Dave Goerend after killing two stock converters, explained my needs, and he sold me a torque converter, valve body kit, and since I was doing the overhaul and only towing he recommended the factory OH kit as it has Borg Warner clutches and steels. I eliminated the check valve in the cooler line, verified the cooler and heat exchanger were clean and installed my upgraded unit. I don't even think about the trans when I leave town. http://www.goerend.com/

thanks guys for the info.....