With out turning this into another mines better than your post.opcorn: Could some one tell me what's wrong with the '05 Dodge automatic tranny behind the CTD? My wife refuses to drive a stick so I'm going to consider getting an automatic.
Well, I'm no expert, but I'll repeat what I've heard. Others can correct/discount if they know more. There are a few components that literally break, but that's not the real problem for stock(ish) Cummins trucks. Mostly it's just line pressure is too low at key points where the Cummins provides such high torque (basically low rpms) that it literally overpowers the clutches due to insufficient pressures. From what I recall talking to Cliff at ATS, the main mod is the pressure, and upgraded seals/pistons/transfers etc to handle it. You can get some of the gain simply with a "shift kit" from Transgo or the like, but that does not get you the seal/piston/transfer changes so it's not as good as the ATS setup. Of course that also goes along with the improved clutches/steels, modified drums, and even an upgraded planetary assembly I believe in the full boat version. However, that discussion was over a year ago with the guy behind ATS (so of course he feels his package is better than the shift kit), and was also just an offshoot of the Allison discussion which was our primary focus, so take it for what it's worth…
Exactly. You should be fine. I highly doubt you will have much problems, if any, for a very long time. If the autos were as bad as some like to say they would have discontinued them and redesigned them a long time ago. Just keep it out of OD at slower speeds where you are turning really low RPM's and easy on towing heavy loads and you should be fine. My '01 has 108K and I haven't had any issues with the 47RE. Like BadDog said, the main problem is line pressure. Bump up the line pressure with an ATS valve body and torque converter and they are stout transmissions at this point, even with stock internals. An auto with the VB and TC can handle more power than the stock clutch in the 6spds IIRC. It's around 1,600-1,700$ for the TC and VB, a good aftermarket clutch is 1000$+ last time I checked.
Well, actually, that is a matter of some debate. I would be afraid that it would almost certainly fail if you "turn up the wick" at all without doing something for the transmission. And lots of guys do have years of trouble free service even doing moderate towing, but there is a fairly high incidence of failure even in stock trucks because the engine makes so much torque WAY down low, before the pressures come up enough. On this, all I can say is personal opinion, but I would think about a diesel specific shift kit from someone like Transgo (they make one for the Allison that is supposed to be REALLY good) for piece of mind if I was going to be doing much towing with the Dodge auto. There are quite a few out there with 100k+ miles and going strong, but a relatively inexpensive "kit" would improve my piece of mind. Edit: Looks like I crossed with Bobby. The setup Bobby mentions would even allow you to "turn 'er up" a bit if you so desire. What I mentioned was just to help get line pressure up a bit to add more margine of safety for stock Cummins and towing, but as I said, you may never have a problem with a stock Cummins. And also like Bobby said, and it can't be said enough, you can NOT tow or haul in OD at ALL with that Cummins.
I went to the Dodge website and did the "Build Your Truck" links. I think you could choose between 4.10 and 3.73's. I was thinking the 4.10's would help the tranny.
I have 4.10's and prefer 3.73's. I redline at about 85 mph and get about 4mpg less than everyone with 3.73's :doah: . But I'm going to go up a size or two in tires to help make up for it a bit.
Like Jason said, you want 3.73's. The engine likes it a lot more than the lower 4.10's. Plus, it's nice with the higher gears because when you are in OD out on the open road you can really open it up to 70-75mph and still maintain lower RPM's and fuel mileage. I personally was dissapointed to see the 3.54's go when the 3rd gens were released, my 3.54's are plenty low, but I do still have the stock tire size.
