I have been looking for a 12 valve 1st or 2nd gen for a while. I know the 1st gen a727 is a strong trans, but what about the 47rh/re? Is it equally strong? I was staying away from autos due to the issues with the lighter duty transes, but should I? I really prefer a stick, but if an auto is going to hold up with normal maintenance why exclude 3/4 of the trucks I find?

Thanks guys.

 

47re holds up alright to stock engines. but as soon as you modify a stock engine, it wont be long before the trans fails...

most people plan on spending several thousand on a built auto...

 

ok, what about the 47rh, or did they go straight from 727 to re? what trans do late 1st gens with overdrive have?

 

A727 in heavy duty versions got an overdrive unit bolted to the back and they called it the a618. Then they changed the name to 47rh. Then it went from a hydrolic governor to electronic controlled one and it became the 47re.

A good torque converter, upgraded clutches, and some valve body work go a long way toward making them reliable, but it really depends on how much power you're going to try throwing at them.