48RE Clutch Module 2003, new and ready to install. Fits the 48RE. Ships fast from the USA.
A 2003 Ram 2500 or 3500 with the 5.9L Cummins that slips coming into overdrive, flares on the 2-3 shift when towing, or smells burnt every time you pull the dipstick usually has clutch plates that have lost their lining. This new 48RE clutch plate pack for 2003 gives you fresh frictions and steels to restack the worn clutch during a rebuild instead of reusing glazed plates that will slip again within a few thousand miles.
2003 is the first year of the 48RE. Sonnax dates its introduction to that model year, and Transmission Digest describes it as the heavy-duty RE built for the Cummins trucks with more clutch drum torque capacity than the 47RE it replaced. Like every RE unit it has four multi-plate clutches. In the main box the rear clutch drives the input in every forward gear and the front clutch applies in third and reverse. Behind them sits the overdrive unit, where the direct clutch is held on by a large spring for third gear and below, and a single piston compresses that spring to release the direct clutch and apply the overdrive clutch for fourth. Each clutch is a stack of lined frictions splined to one member and steel plates lugged to another. When the lining wears thin, the stack cannot hold Cummins torque and the gear slips.
TransGo links reverse slip, weak coast braking and burned direct clutch plates to a tired overdrive direct clutch spring, so that spring should be checked whenever direct plates come out burnt.
Note which ranges slip. A 4th-only slip points to the overdrive clutch, reverse plus coast problems point to the direct clutch, and slip in all forward gears points to the rear clutch. Check line pressure before the teardown so you know whether a pump or valve body problem cooked the plates. Our 48RE 3-4 clutch failure guide covers the overdrive unit in detail, and the Ram 2500 Cummins problems guide covers the rest.
The listing places this pack at the 2003 model year 48RE. The photo shows two styles of plate, one with internal teeth and one with external lugs, plus a single thinner plate. Plate count and thickness vary from one clutch to the next and were changed by upgrade kits on many trucks, so lay the new plates beside the ones you remove and match tooth count, diameter and quantity before you assemble anything. If you are not sure which clutch you need, send us the year and VIN and we will help. Every 48RE part we carry is on the 48RE collection page.
| Fits | 48RE 2003 |
| Part type | Clutch Module |
| Condition | New |
| Brand | OEM |
| Ships | From the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
The listing does not name a single clutch. The photo shows internally toothed plates, externally lugged plates and one thinner plate. Match tooth count, diameter and quantity against the plates you remove, or send us your year and VIN before ordering.
This pack is listed for the 2003 model year. Many 48RE clutch parts carry across those years, but plate counts were changed on some units and by upgrade kits, so compare it to your old plates first.
Yes. Soak new frictions in ATF+4 for at least 30 minutes before assembly so the lining is saturated and does not glaze on first apply.
Piston seals for every clutch you open, and the overdrive direct clutch spring if the direct plates were burnt. Flush or replace the cooler so old debris does not come back.
Common causes are low line pressure from a worn valve body or pump, a faded direct clutch spring, overheating while towing and the wrong fluid. Find the cause before the new plates go in, or they will fail the same way.
