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Pickups Dodge Ram Dodge Ram: Problems & Solutions 
3275 messages, Last post on Oct 18, 2006 at 8:20 PM
You are in the Dodge Ram Forum. Your Host is kcram
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Replying to: schmedly (Mar 22, 2006 6:46 am) Thanks for the reply. Appreciate your comments. First, we need to clarify the subject. The TorqueShift transmission I believe your referring to is the five-speed 5R110. That transmission was introduced in the Super Duty line in 2004. Like the 545RFE was for Chrysler, this model is a new transmission design and I believe only available on the F350, or it might be an option on the F250. I'm not sure. Today and since '97, the F250 gets the four-speed 4R100 as standard equipment. Before 1997 the F250 & F350 transmission was the E4OD. Until the introduction two years ago of the 5R110, the 4R100 was also the transmission found in the F350. So, if we are talking about the 5R110, this transmission is too new to have established anything but a good record, so far. I have not heard of one incident of complaint regarding this new model. I believe there was at least one TSB issued for 2-3 flare, but I also think that was computer related and not a problem with the hardware. From what little I know it is a heavy duty transmission that bears respect. Time will tell. The 4R100 is a different story. While I agree it's a very heavy design, there is a one problem that is not uncommon and extremely debilitating. The torque converter clutches on this model are prone to over heating. When they get hot enough they come apart and flood the front pump with debris. The front pump shuts down and within a minute the clutches are destroyed. Of course, without a front pump there is not enough line pressure to operate forward motion. While the basic archetecture of the transmission is solid, this one weakness in the 4R100 design makes for catastophic failures that are common enough. For this reason I see a number of failures and rebuilds of 4R100s. Comparatively the 545RFE, which is used on RAM 2500/3500s, have seen hardly any failures or even problems for that matter. Is the 545RFE as beefy as the 4R100? Probably not quite, but used behind their current gas engines in the RAM series they have proven to be far more than adequate and far more reliable. (The 545RFE is 70% overrated behind the 4.7 motor.) The maximum torque handling capability transmission in Dodge trucks is currently the 48RE, which is only used behind the Cummins motor. Chrysler halted work on a high torque 545RFE variant a while ago, their plan was to use that behind the Cummins which today does not have a five-speed automatic in a Dodge LD pickup. However, I have reason to believe they shifted gears (pun intended) to design a six-speed heavy duty series based on the 545RFE that could be used across the entire RAM line, gas or diesel, as well as their new line of medium trucks that will be introduced in the near future. Best regards, Dusty |
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Replying to: dustyk (Mar 22, 2006 4:30 pm) The 545RFE HAS a dependable track record. I simple feel that it hasn't the beef to handle serious towing loads in the heavy duty lineup. The G56 manual with an aluminum housing is 50# heavier than the 545RFE. Normally the manual in any powertrain configuration is lighter than the automatic. Like I said, I'm not knockin' the 545RFE reliability at all
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Replying to: schmedly (Mar 22, 2006 6:07 pm) I think you'll find the 4R100 four-speed is still available in the F250. Just saw one in a 2006 yesterday. Bests, Dusty |
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Hi, My truck shifts into second and then goes right into 3rd. I does not want to stay in Second. It downshifts into first way too easy and also if you put the truck manualy into second gear whether upshifting or downshifting, It stays in first gear with the exception being that it coasts. it doesn't downshift. it coasts untill you step on the gas and the revs come up to where you would be in first gear. So manualy there is no second gear. Letting it shift by itself there is second gear, but it won't stay there long before it goes into third. It shifts into third like its sliding into third, but it does not slip if I floor it. Anyone run into this weird problem. Just bought the truck last year. and it just started doing this. I could not get any error code, but I may not be doing it right. If someone can tell me the correct way, that may help also. Thanks Paul |
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Replying to: pcarter2 (Mar 23, 2006 10:03 am) Thanks, Paul
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Replying to: pcarter2 (Mar 23, 2006 10:03 am)
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Replying to: laswamprat (Mar 23, 2006 5:27 pm) |
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Replying to: angels3 (Mar 18, 2003 12:11 pm) I also have a 2003 2500quad cab 4x4 CTD long bed, I am also having this problem usualy between 50 mph and 80 mph but only happens once in a while the shaking from side to side is so violent the only way to stop it is to pull over and stop. I also am looking for a solution. |
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Replying to: bubbalanie (Mar 16, 2006 9:00 am) |
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 I have a RAM-3500 (2003) 34000 miles and the clutch is gone. Has anyone else had a problem???
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