Dodge makes the best transmissions

"M.T. Blake" (autohabit) 04/13/2020 at 19:12 • Filed to: Dodge transmissions, Rants, cummins, transmissions, ram, diesel, truck yeah

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I believe the internet, and all popular sentiment is wrong - Dodge makes the best transmissions. They are stout and last many, many years.

Let’s take my 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins for instance. This truck has 89k miles on it and is ONLY on its second transmission.

That’s a lot of miles to put on two transmissions. I mean isn’t that about 5 years worth of average commuting miles? Five years is a long time! Do you remember five years ago?! I don’t. I’m a goldfish.

This truck looooves transmission so much, it has shown me it is asking for a THIRD. That’s three transmissions in less than ninety thousand miles. It is impressive. I know you’re jealous.

I am so lucky. I get to go shopping for a NEW transmission soon. Who needs money anyway? I’m sure I’ll find someone who will happily take $3,000 of my hard-earned greenbacks and give me a transmission that will last another couple years.

_______\\\

Okay, in all seriousness. What. The. Fuck. The transmission was ‘rebuilt’ at 81,000 miles. Eight thousand miles?! Did they rebuilt it with clutches made out of cork?!

I was hopeful a simple filter service could help out my issue with it not wanting to move in DRIVE when cold - an occasional and infrequent problem. After having the issue and finding the metal in the pan, I think the transmission is giving up the ghost.

At least I found the problem? Who has a dumpster big enough to fit a 518/727/47re or whatever they want to call it...

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > M.T. Blake 04/13/2020 at 19:15

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Did you buy a rebuilt unit or have yours removed and rebuilt? And only 3 grand?

dogisbadob > M.T. Blake 04/13/2020 at 19:20

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You should get an aftermarket transmission pan that has a drain plug. It will make future fluid changes much easier. You can do it more often, and if you’re lucky, even make it to 100k on a single transmission :p

Redline C+ is the best fluid to use where ATF+4 is required.

Nom De Plume > M.T. Blake 04/13/2020 at 19:20

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Knew what was coming and I clicked anyways.

No warranty on the previous one?  

M.T. Blake > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 04/13/2020 at 19:20

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I haven’t done anything yet. I’ll need to decide where to get one. 

M.T. Blake > Nom De Plume 04/13/2020 at 19:21

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Nah it was done in 2011. 

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > M.T. Blake 04/13/2020 at 19:25

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I meant, the one made of cork. We’ve got a first rate transmission shop around the corner from here, Bay Area, probably not convenient for you.

3 Jeeps and a Mazda wants a Fiata > M.T. Blake 04/13/2020 at 19:26

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Ive had 42TE, two 42 RE's, 44RE, and a 545RFE with mo problems out of any of them. Band adjustment is a big deal in the 42/44/46/48 series but 8,000 miles on a rebuild? WTF?

Just Jeepin' > Nom De Plume 04/13/2020 at 19:30

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After two mostly unsuccessful rebuilds on my Jeep’s I’m disinclined t o give the company another shot at it. Warranties are meaningless if they can’t get it right.

UserNotFound > M.T. Blake 04/13/2020 at 19:30

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I agree completely. Mopar transmission are the bomb. I love them so much that my Jeep has had THREE of them. Just can’t get enough!

M.T. Blake > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 04/13/2020 at 19:31

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Lol. It was rebuilt at a shop close to me by the previous owner. My buddy went through 3 transmissions at the same shop under warranty. They suck.

I’m going to price a higher end custom transmission rebuild vs a used Allison swap and see where I go...

M.T. Blake > 3 Jeeps and a Mazda wants a Fiata 04/13/2020 at 19:32

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It doesn’t even tow  anything!!! The shop that did the rebuild is terrible. Grandpa had it done so I can’t take any of the credit lol. 

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > M.T. Blake 04/13/2020 at 19:32

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Seems like maybe the issue isn’t MOPAR, but that shop...

PyramidHat > M.T. Blake 04/13/2020 at 19:32

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Parents Córdoba had the 727 I think.   Went through 4 in under 60k

M.T. Blake > UserNotFound 04/13/2020 at 19:33

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Once you buy one, you just can’t stop buying them! It’s an addiction. 

M.T. Blake > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 04/13/2020 at 19:33

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First one did fail at 81,000 with no towing. This time it’s the shop, but the Dodge transmission isn’t anything to brag about. 

M.T. Blake > PyramidHat 04/13/2020 at 19:34

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Impressive!

UserNotFound > M.T. Blake 04/13/2020 at 19:39

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It’s really heartwarming to get Christmas cards from my trans mission shop ^_^

M.T. Blake > UserNotFound 04/13/2020 at 19:42

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Mine better put my kids through college.

speedy964 > M.T. Blake 04/13/2020 at 20:13

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Mopars hate transmissions, Toyota’s hate alignments. My Corolla went out of alignment twice in 4 months, the second time because it still tracks straight I didn’t have it redone. When I have it aligned next time, I am welding the tie rods in place(the tie rods go out of adjustment if I hit a bump even slightly too hard). I can get a welder and the things needed to use it for under $250 at Harbor Freight.

P lease warn me if this is a accident waiting to happen. I am new to working on cars.

66P1800inpieces > M.T. Blake 04/13/2020 at 20:13

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Like Ferrari, you need to buy a couple lesser transmissions for the privilege of buying more transmissions.     

Gone > M.T. Blake 04/13/2020 at 20:23

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So many people have issues with Mopar autos but I have never had a bad experience and it’s really strange . The 904, 727, 518, and 47RE models   in cars/ trucks I have mercilessly   beat on and never hurt . All lasted as long as I owned the vehicle ( 50-150k mi ) with fluid changes and never even a band adjustment. The NV3500 (2nd gear cluster grenade @ 12 k, total meltdown @ 60k) and NV4500 (good ol ’ 5th gear nut) I’ve had in a couple Dodge trucks were complete trash however. Understand the bad reputation,  but it ’s like I’m in an a lternate universe over here.

speedy964 > dogisbadob 04/13/2020 at 20:36

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Or he can add one. All you do is drill a hole and weld a nut onto the pan. Usually, on the inside so it doesn’t get removed if something hits it.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > M.T. Blake 04/13/2020 at 20:50

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Manual swap or GTFO.

M.T. Blake > speedy964 04/13/2020 at 21:28

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Lol. I wouldn’t do that...

M.T. Blake > 66P1800inpieces 04/13/2020 at 21:29

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But unlike the Ferrari, I won’t be surrounded by Instagram models when I drive my Dodge.

The Dodge attracts catfish...

M.T. Blake > Gone 04/13/2020 at 21:30

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You better have spun around three times, yelled BEETLEJUICE, and knocked on wood after you said that. 

M.T. Blake > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 04/13/2020 at 21:32

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And then I’ll have to do a wife swap because mine won’t drive a manual.

The truck belonged to her grandfather sooooo I’ll be dammed to make it into something she can’t drive. Morally I won’t do it either. I am sentimental too... sometimes. 

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > M.T. Blake 04/13/2020 at 21:44

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Built 47REs are incredibly strong. People swap out garbage Allisons for them when they want to go fast in a diesel. 

David Baker > M.T. Blake 04/13/2020 at 21:55

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I was so lucky my 97 2500 360 was only on its 4 trans @ 150k. At 155k the person I sold it to was happy to replace it again.

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > M.T. Blake 04/13/2020 at 23:09

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My dad has a ‘99 Ram Quad Cab with the 5.9 and auto trans. Can confirm. Dodge makes the “Best” transmissions. Ever.

M.T. Blake > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 04/14/2020 at 00:19

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Don’t say that too loud. People might throw stones.

I’ll end up going with another Dodge trans. The Allison swap is too expensive and complicated.

M.T. Blake > David Baker 04/14/2020 at 00:21

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LOL. 

M.T. Blake > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus 04/14/2020 at 00:21

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I come here because I enjoy being around people who think just like me. It is a comfortable feeling.

jimz > M.T. Blake 04/14/2020 at 01:01

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the 47RE was pretty much at its input torque limit when paired with the Cummins. sucks, but they didn’t have anything else at the time. it was basically a 727 Torqueflite with the 4th (OD) gear added on.

that said, what a 25 year old transmission of an obsolete design has to do with anything available today is beyond me. 

M.T. Blake > jimz 04/14/2020 at 01:11

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Sucks it can’t handle the 400ft lbs of ultra stock 1996 Cummins either. 

Tristan > M.T. Blake 04/14/2020 at 01:36

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There’s a 62TE sitting on my garage floor right now waiting to go into my wife's 2013 Dodgewagen Routavan. I think the one that's in it is original, and it made it 115k. It even still works! It just feels like you're doing over a railroad crossing every time it shifts and it has hideous torque converter shudder. At least the surging under load in reverse stopped...

Hemi426 > M.T. Blake 04/14/2020 at 07:08

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You are driving a truck that’s 24 years old. With uber 100k. If it was drive like it should. It would be higher mileage before replacing the transmission. My friends dad had this truck but with the 5.9 it lasted to 232k before the trans blew up. It was raised has no power at all. Compaired to cars today. Towed all his stuff on a trailer from Michigan to Arizona. Including a 9.4 crate engine. In the bed. And he finally drove it back here and it finally died like 7 years ago. It had alot of suspension issues. Still kept running. He also tried doing a tune up himself and put the plugs in wrong place and it had a terrible misfire. After seeing all that I got a dodge with a hemi. The nag1 and the 8 speeds seem to be the best to me. My rt has 108k miles now and it still gets up to 100 mph. Like a champ. For a 2008. And my 2019 ram Laramie. Shifts fast and so silky smooth. Almost shifts as fast as my srt. All cars have issues. Just dodge cost more to fix than a chevy of ford. U should rebuild the trans with parts able to handle 1500 ft lbs so u can turn up that boost. Make the truck 800 hp 1300 ft lbs. Praise the glorious Cummings. They can make more power than that I’m only saying these numbers friends of mine with the right axles trans drive shafts. Made them  very reliable daily trucks. For the power and torque. Any higher your going to need new axles every 5000 miles. Glwb. Mopar no car.

Joe1978c > M.T. Blake 04/14/2020 at 07:15

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I know I’ve had big issues, and/or total failure, w the 727 in my 68 GTX w 440 AND the one in my 70 Cuda w 340. I rarely see issues w built 727s though. Had zero issues from the 6spds in my 12 R/T, 11 SRT, or 15 Hellcat......O f course, all 3 of those WERE made by Tremec. Lol. ABSOLUTE WORST trans ive ever seen was in my wifes Acura TL S-Type. It was the 1st year for that bodystyle, i believe 03. Apparently it was a design flaw fixed the next year, but never buy an auto 03 S-type (6spds fine). Instead of recalling, they have everyone a 100k warranty on trans that had 1. She babied the car, and still went through 3 the 1st 100k miles. We paid for a 4th one, and ~ year or so after i sold it to a guy, he quickly traded it in slipping on its way to having its 5th one!

Mopar4wd > Gone 04/14/2020 at 07:41

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S ame here no issues. Got a durango with a 190k on its original transmission in the driveway right now.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > speedy964 04/14/2020 at 07:58

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DO NOT DO THAT

SBB55 > M.T. Blake 04/14/2020 at 08:26

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Bam!

BigR > jimz 04/14/2020 at 09:05

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The real problem lies in the torque converter. A Cummings Turbo will munch one to death around 60K if you use it like a truck. Most transmission shops do not replace it either, just to get the metal filings and particles out. Install a B&M truck converter and be done with it. Flush the fluid lines and cooler as well.   Then get 120K out of it is a snap.

Pickup_man > M.T. Blake 04/14/2020 at 09:13

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Every time I start lusting after second gen Rams someone has to come and remind me how terrible they can be. I’m not sure whether to be angry or thankful.

Dominic B > M.T. Blake 04/14/2020 at 09:39

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Just sell the truck. You can prob still get $ 25,000 for it because “you know what you have” and “iTs a CumMinS BrO”

M.T. Blake > Tristan 04/14/2020 at 09:58

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Oh god!

M.T. Blake > Pickup_man 04/14/2020 at 10:01

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You just need to have a transmission shop in your pocket. 

M.T. Blake > Dominic B 04/14/2020 at 10:01

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Probably. This one has more sentimental value still than monetary. 

BigBlock440 > M.T. Blake 04/14/2020 at 10:02

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Did they not change the converter and just put the old one back in still full of crap   or what the hell? Or maybe the check valve seized up (or was removed and that’s what caused the cold failure to shifts)?

Future next gen S2000 owner > M.T. Blake 04/14/2020 at 10:34

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It’s not that Dodge makes bad transmissions, its that there is so much manly cummins bro power that the trucks can’t handle it. There is so much it spills over into other vehicles and they can’t handle all the excess bro power.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Dominic B 04/14/2020 at 10:35

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Seems a little low to me.

Future next gen S2000 owner > M.T. Blake 04/14/2020 at 10:35

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Better yet, own one.

M.T. Blake > BigBlock440 04/14/2020 at 11:02

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I have no idea and the paperwork for the rebuild is too vague.

M.T. Blake > Future next gen S2000 owner 04/14/2020 at 11:02

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Lol. Yup. Apparently they can’t handle the super stock power of the 6BT at 400 torques. 

M.T. Blake > Future next gen S2000 owner 04/14/2020 at 11:03

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Or OWN DODGE!

Buddybilt > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 04/14/2020 at 11:57

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Really...? Prove it. I know a couple guys that build sled pulling trucks every year for the county fair and they’re all Allison. All the time. Doesn’t matter if it’s a Dodge or a Chevy. It gets an Allison...

Im not saying you can't make a Dodge transmission good and strong. I mean there are guys running 1,000hp in front of a 700R4. So given enough time and money anything can be made to work. But I think the point is from the factory... NO Dodge has ever had a good transmission...

ohdeargawd > M.T. Blake 04/14/2020 at 12:52

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Had an 87 Dakota and had to rebuild the transmission once and then finally replace it completely. It was a gutless 4 cylinder, so power has nothing to do with it. Got rid of it when it started having engine problems all under 200k KMS.

speedy964 > speedy964 04/14/2020 at 16:22

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I get this a bad idea. A small part of me was thinking about welding the tie rods in place because I am fed up with this piece of crap, not holding alignment.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > M.T. Blake 04/14/2020 at 16:58

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This is why i never bought a dodge. Cummins is an amazing motor but the trucks they go in are trash.

https://suncoastdiesel.com/i-30498407-47re-guardian-hd-series-1-towing-transmission-w-converter.html

Get this and never worry again

Danny Korecki > M.T. Blake 04/14/2020 at 20:26

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Oh dude, just noticed this was you!

M.T. Blake > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 04/14/2020 at 20:53

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Ouch. That’s about my entire budget. 

M.T. Blake > Danny Korecki 04/14/2020 at 20:55

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Drecu4x4 > M.T. Blake 04/14/2020 at 21:11

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The problem with the truck not moving when cold or sitting for a while is not the transmission, it is the anti drain back valve in the transmission line for the torque converter is bad, and allowing fluid to drain back. To test this, since dodge transmissions don’t circulate fluid in park, if you start the truck and put it in neutral for about 10 seconds, it will go right into gear every time. You can either do this from now on, or replace the line with the check valve in it. I have a 99 cummins with 386k and the original transmission.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > M.T. Blake 04/14/2020 at 21:29

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I mean you could always sell it and buy a Powerstroke. 

GBM1968 > M.T. Blake 04/14/2020 at 23:04

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My 1999 Dodge Ram2500 Cummins diesel has 375883 miles and still with the original transmission. Since landing a job with the Sheriff’s Department I only drive her pulling a trailer for quad and dirtbike riding trips now . I did change the VP pump to big dog and had the air conditioning serviced though.

M.T. Blake > Drecu4x4 04/15/2020 at 00:25

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This is better advice than I got from a transmission shop. I’ll do it and see what happens! Thanks.

M.T. Blake > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 04/15/2020 at 00:26

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I had a 2006 F250 6.0l. My dad owns it now and it’s leaking like a sieve.

Personal preference with me and Dodge. I’ve always been a fan. 

M.T. Blake > GBM1968 04/15/2020 at 00:29

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You’re the second person to chime in with a 99 Cummins with over 375k miles. Makes me think 1999 is a sweet spot or you two are the luckiest Dodge owners I’ve heard of?!

My formerly owned a 1999 QCSB. I loved that truck. If we hadn’t had a second kid I would have kept it. There is no comfortable way to fit two car seats into a quad cab...

UserNotFound > speedy964 04/15/2020 at 09:21

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Yeah you won’t want to weld it. It’s best to drill & pin it.

(I’m kidding, don’t do that either)

Have you replaced the tie rods?

BigBlock440 > speedy964 04/15/2020 at 09:58

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If it’s not holding an alignment, welding the tie rods won’t fix it, there’s something else there. When one of my cars kept losing alignment, like within weeks, the tire shop told me “no, nothing’s loose, some cars just don’t hold an alignment”, even though the first 130k it did and they wanted to sell me an unlimited alignment package.  No, I’m not sitting in your waiting room for an hour and a half every 3 weeks.  It was a lower ball joint, not really bad, but I had a hunch and went with it, alignment issues went away.  On the bright side, I discovered just how easy it is to do an alignment, and I’m never paying for one again.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > M.T. Blake 04/15/2020 at 12:54

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Yea typical powerstroke. My 7.3 leaked but my 6.0 hasnt yet. Ive just gotten used to it lol. I call it rust prevention

Dominic B > Future next gen S2000 owner 04/15/2020 at 14:53

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You’re probably right. What was I thinking. It's worth 50k

speedy964 > BigBlock440 04/15/2020 at 15:50

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Thanks for the tip.I’ll check the ball joints and the tie rods ends for play. It only had an issue holding an alignment after I ran over a pothole because I didn’t see it, and it was a big enough hit for something to get messed up. I looked it up last night, and it turns out 10th gen corolla’s and newer have terrible suspension geometry.  

Snuze: Needs another Swede > M.T. Blake 04/15/2020 at 17:30

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518/727/47re or whatever they want to call it...

Well there’s your problem. Shoulda got an NV5600.

M.T. Blake > Snuze: Needs another Swede 04/15/2020 at 19:45

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The truck was a great deal - not a perfect deal. 

19JRC99 > M.T. Blake 04/15/2020 at 20:13

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The 727s are stout units, but after that, yeah, I’ve heard mucho bad.

The AX-15 manual (which is technically an Aisin trans) in my ‘96 Dakota had been rebuilt before I got it, but the truck had 267,000 on it when I got it and I beat the piss out of it without issue.

So not every trans put into a 90s Dodge sucked I guess. 

Snuze: Needs another Swede > M.T. Blake 04/16/2020 at 06:25

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I know, Im just giving you a hard time.

Are there any reasonable options? Seems like some shops like Suncoast, ATS, Georods (sp?) do 47RE builds but you’re looking at like $4k. Does a 48RE work, and is it much of an upgrade? I saw someone makes a 68RFE swap kit, so that might be an option.

Is it possible to get away from a Chrysler trans and use something like a GM 4L85? Its rated for up to 690 ft-lbs and 18,000 lbs GVWR. 

M.T. Blake > Snuze: Needs another Swede 04/16/2020 at 22:57

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I’ll end up going with the same transmission but built by people who are literate and don’t drag their knuckles when they walk. 

Snuze: Needs another Swede > M.T. Blake 04/17/2020 at 05:41

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That seems like a good option to me!

Automagic transmissions are just that - magic. I’m an engineer, I learned all about planetary gearing, hydraulics, etc. in school and I am still not entirely sure how they work. That’s why it’s probably best to leave it up to a professional. That or maybe one day I’ll get brave enough to tear one open myself and attempt to rebuild it! But until that day, I’m going to continue to believe in  magic.

M.T. Blake > Snuze: Needs another Swede 04/17/2020 at 17:52

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My buddy swears that the Turbo 350 transmission is the easiest thing to rebuilt for anyone and he highly recommends doing one. He can rebuild one in about an hour on a bench. 

Snuze: Needs another Swede > M.T. Blake 04/17/2020 at 21:25

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I would have guessed Power Glide, but I suppose  you don’t see those around anymore. That’s cool though. I’d love to, one day when I have some spare time and cash, tear one apart and rebuild it just to see how it works.