So I was at my favorite yard this am and found a 96 Dakota 4x4 with the v8. How do I tell what transmission is in it and how do I know if it's the rh or re model? I'm looking for something to rebuild to replace my 42rh 4x4 on my 92 dakota

 

easy. 95+ used the RE. And then 95 and 96 v8's got the 46re. And, 96 got obd2. So, I'm 99% sure that trans wont work in your truck.

Have you ever thought about doing a 5 speed swap? I see no reason to swap a junk transmission with another ones that's questionable..

 

Finding a 5 speed 4x4 might be possible but mostly I'm just looking for something to rebuild. I understand the 46rh is beefier than my 42rh. I would have no problem rebuilding my existing trans., but I'm trying avoid downtime on the truck

 

yes but, the cost to rebuild one with quality parts is going to be a lot more then a 5 speed. Plus it'll have the parasitic power and mpg loss. And I feel the 5 speed would still be more durable.

Anyways. Like I said, I'm 99% sure that transmission won't work for you. I'd find and older 46rh and do that if you're desd set on it. 94 and older v8 dodge trucks had them. Though, I'm not sure off the top of my head what the begin year was on them.

 

For sure in 1991, first year for a factory V8 in the Dakota.

44RH was available in 1988 as an option to standard by 1990 to the V6.

RwP

 

I think you meant 42rh. Only 44rh's I know of were on Jeeps.

 

Look at the plug on the drivers side of the trans, about halfway back. It goes down into the top of the valve body. 3 wires is RH, 8 wires is RE.

 

If he's rebuilding, doesn't really matter between 42RH/44RH; the 44RH is just a different arrangement of the clutch pack, according to the FSM and what my transmission guy says.

(Supposedly, if they had made such a critter, my 3 speed is now a 35RH or 36RH ... yay me. That's what happens when they figure out that it's factory at 350,000 and that I'm going to keep the truck running as long as I can.)

RwP

 

It wasn't a question of rebuilding...you stated the 44rh was an option for 88 and standard on 90. It wasn't. The 42rh was the option/standard. 44rh wasn't offered on dodge, AFAIK.

 

Going to further this some more. What vehicles were likely to have either a 46 or 42rh 4x4?