No matter what tranny you use its not going to put up with 400hp its going to need rebuilt you might be able to fit in a 47re which was used behind the v10 but I dont know if it will bolt to the 5.9. It prob wont withstand 400hp either The 42re is a light duty tranny meant for v6's where the 46re is way more heavy duty and meant to take some abuse. I am by no means of a tranny expert but I would expect the 46re to have a much stronger case than the 42 so even though you would spend money on the 42 it might not hold out as well as its built to be.

 

I have found out all about tranny probs behind the 5.9. Plainly put its a tranny killer bc of its torque. The 46RE is your best bet, but i suggest your cheapest route without rebuilding one is to find a good one with acceptable low miles, and install the transgo shift kit. Its gonna help save the tranny from wearing the clutches out bc of the shorter shifts, which will help you in the offroad field too. You can usually find the kits around $100 and can install it yourself, just take your time, it has instructions that arent too complicated. FYI a rebuild of a 46RE usually seems to run $1000-$1500 depending on what needs replacing....also i would say the 46RE is going to push your entire drivetrain back a couple inches, i would just take the drive shaft you have and have it cut down, a lot easier than trying to find a driveshaft that magical length that your prolly gonna need.

 

Also idk much about the V6 TC but id say you might be able to get by so long as you dont try stomping it on the roads too much lol. Same goes for the rearend/frontend they wont be used to that kind of torque, be gentle with them too. Also your gonna have to beef up your front springs as well so it will sit properly. since ur a pull a part guy, just nab the stuff from a 5.2 dak.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I had always assumed that I might have to rebuild the tranny since I was upgrading so much with the 5.9. I have found a place called www.levelten.com that claims to have kits that make the 42-47re's bulletproof. That's what I want and for the price of their complete kit, it better be, literally. About $2000 for everything. Maybe it seems like a lot, but I know I'm spending at least that much on the engine, so it doesnt seem too unreasonable to do it for the tranny. Now before you all assume that with all the talk of thousands of dollars that I have it all to spend, let me assure you that I am working overtime weekend nights at the hospital for the money, plus, I dont have to have the truck for a daily driver...yet. I have just begun to consider the front and rear ends. seems like 9.25's are the least I need to last. Thanks again for your interest and replies.

 

You should throw in a manual while you are doing all this work. That would be BADASS!!

 

Oh yeah! I'm up for that. I had considered it and still might. I have the time and as long as the hospital wants to let me do overtime, shouldn't I take advantage of it? The local pick-a-part doesnt have any daks with a manual and I'm actually not sure if they are even smoggable in California but I'ld be willing to try it. I have always preferred manual transmissions to automatics anyway, esp in 4x4's. Anyone with any ideas as to where I might find one, plus all the other parts needed for the swap? On another note, I'm almost ready to send the 5.9 block in for machining and I think I'm supposed to take out all the freeze plugs and extraneous nuts and bolts attached to it. Does that include the "fitting" for the oil filter? What about the plate that aligns and secures the rear end of the cam? I can't get the oil dip stick tube out of the block yet. I'm afraid I will break it off if it doesnt come loose for me. And oh yeah, the distributor fitting inside the block. Does that come out also? thanks, you guys for the ideas and feedback. It's helping a lot.

 

I've been checking out the NV4500 and wow, that is what I want. The thing is, will it fit into the dakota without totally customizing the tunnel, etc. I got an email from NV4500.com that said that the set up I want (5.9L to NV4500 to 9.25 rear end) is a factory setup. Woohoo!! Now I need to find out what trucks this was in and what pick-a-part yard to find one in. I hear I might need a mild body lift (which I have never liked, no offense to anyone) to fit it inside the tunnel. Has anyone done this swap or know of anyone who has? I need some direction before I go out and buy the parts. Thanks.

 

How do I remove the injector thing from the kegger on my 5.9? When I get it out, should I get bigger injectors for the built engine> I'm going .040 over on the pistons and using this intake systemThanks for any info or feedback you can offer.