I decided to post this new thread after going through alot of reading. I found some great info but mostly on old threads so I hope this is not only going to help me but other people with similar issues.

I have a 2000 dodge dakota 5.2 V8 with a 46RE stock, close to 59,000miles. Got the truck 2 years ago because just loved a previous 3.9 manual tranny same year I had for 4 years and always wanted to have a V8. This truck was looking real good I could not resist.

When I test drove it I could feel the 1-2 shift was not really smooth, felt kind of funny like a slip followed by a bump but nothing too noticeable and not always, it was shifting at right times and speed and I thoght it could be fluid and filter + band adjustments.

Drove only about 4,00 miles since I bought it with no issues, just that funny 1-2 shifting.

After reading alot of posts I suspect of bad governor pressure solenoid / transducer and decided to drop the pan and look at the bands.

You can find some pics at my gallery:

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/members...nts-21582.html

I plan on posting more info I will discover and pictures that might help other DIYers, and at the end, make a list of all common issues I found about these transmissions.

The bands were real loose and I am almost positive no one has ever touched this transmission (it is a 2000 with 59kmiles), fluis still red but darker, no burnt smell.

The front band was about 2 turns behind and the rear band I am not sure but more then 1 turn.

I have dropped the pan and took the valve body out to inspect the bands and drums in order to decide if this would be someting worth to fix myself or a rebuild case.

I found some very little coarse grit size metal shavings in the bottom of the pan (collected all with solvent and filtered to get to the solid particles).

The governor pressure solenoid and the OD and Lockup solenoid screens were real clean and I could pull the front flex band to check the thickness of the lining material ( around 0.03" or 0.875 mm) so I guess this is half...?

I just bought quite a few parts and decided to try a shift improvement kit but not sure which kit would be the best.

I bought the Superior correction kit but now I am thinking about using the fairbanks transaction kit that looks almost the same, just more complete perhaps?

My concerns are, which kit will improve bands and clutches durability better and still give me comfortable shifting (close to not perceptible)? I don't want a harsh shifting and I shift at WOT seldom just when needed.

I already bought the parts and need to decide quick between the transaction kit and the correction kit. I know lots of people go transgo but I think these are good options too that are less invasive and easier to be done.

Must tell the seller what I want in order to ship to me.

Any advice from transmission gurus will be highly appreciated.

Thanks DJ

 

Master Tech is the forum's trans guru. IMO i dont think you really need a kit, the slushboxes work well as designed.

 

Thanks, the idea of using a shift kit would be to make bands and clutches last longer and delay an overhaul...