Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives Ram trans question

I've seen a couple of early 2000s ram 2500s with the 5.7. What transmission do they come with ?

48re if its an automatic

I think from 03-11 it was the 545rfe in both the 1500 and 2500 (and grand Cherokee etc).

Yes, 545rfe

Sounds a little weak for a 3/4 ton.

I tend to agree with you that a transmission that goes in everything from a jeep to a 1500 to a HD2500 is either wildly overbuilt for the jeep or is undersized for a 2500. Full disclosure, I was accused by a few folks in another recent thread for knocking ram transmissions without owning one. My only experience with a 545rfe is the 2011 ram 2500 with 5.7 hemi my father drives. He had to replace the transmission and torque converter at 47,000 miles. He is retired and tows infrequently and tows nothing larger than a lawnmower or ATV on a single axle trailer. The dealer that replaced it claimed they have done over 1,000 545rfe's. Somehow I doubt that but they said it to him more than once, as if it were a point of pride. I looked into the 545rfe for him when his went out and it seemed kind of problematic to me. Google "545rfe problems" an read up if you wish. But again, I don't own one so that makes me unqualified to offer an opinion according to some. Of course, you don't need to hit your finger with a hammer to know that it hurts.

That's my thoughts as well. I was driving a Dakota but I just bought a Camry for commuting. I'm looking at getting a heavier pickup. I don't want a Triton engine so if I go with Ford I'd have to go older and get a 460 or 351. With dodge I have to get a V10 to get a transmission appropriate for a 3/4 ton. Most of what I've heard about the 4l80 seems neutral to positive but the chevys and Ford's seem to bring more money around here.