The Low down on Dodge HD Trannys.

[DRH1175]

Someone who knows their Dodge Trannys in the 2500 and 3500 cummins trucks. What years are best and which ones to stay away from? I have heard about a lot of trannys going out. And from some they say that is all old news and dodge has had great trannys for several years now. What is the case? I am looking for a used HD truck. I believe the cummins is the best out there. But with a weak tranny. I would rather buy a Ford or Chev for the tranny.

[Valv]

The 48RE transmission on the 2003 to 2007 trucks is a decent unit UNLESS you add any chip and abuse it, which is probably the common issue for all the transmission failures. Ford is no exception. The GM Allison is the only that stands out as tougher built, but when stressed over the limit for a long time it will give up too.

I would not hesitate buying the truck, I have mine (2006) with 125,000 miles and I have no issue whatsoever, I do have a small chip (Edge EZ) but don't abuse the extra power at all.

If you purchase a 2007.5 and up trucks with the 6.7l they have the new 6 speed 68RE which is also a bulletproof unit, then if you go with the Cab and Chassis model they use the Aisin 6 speed which is much better than Allison.

Look at it this way, the real abuser of any brand are the commercial RV haulers which put 150,000 miles/year or more towing very heavy all the time 14hrs/day or more. The 70% has Dodges, then a good 25% has GMs, the rest has...you know what. They will not use truck that cannot be reliable, or they won't be hauling anything.

[DRH1175]

Good points I guess most who have had trannys fail more than likely have them maxed out with chips and abuse them. I would think all 3 trucks if treated well and taken care of more than likely will last many years.

[Valv]

One point to remember also is that a new transmission is around $ 5000, a new motor is around $ 10,000.

Any of the 3 brands puts out around 320hp, with less than a thousand bucks and 15 minutes of your time anybody can get almost twice the power just by adding some electronics. The torque of the diesel motor is hard on any transmission, there is no comparison with a gasser, that explains why many trannys go up in smoke. If you have a stick, your clutch will slip and blow up in no hurry too.