Hey. I have a 1998 dodge dakota automatic v-6 and the tranny needs to be rebuilt....now everyone is telling me 1700-2100 to fix it...so im thinking about putting 1 in myself..so i called around and i was told that i could get a used tranny with low miles on it with a 1 year warrenty for 650 that fits year and everything...now is their another year or anything that i could go with to make my truck any faster? Im not really sure what will bolt on and what will not..Thankyou

 

I believe they offered two automatics in 1998, the 42RE (A-500) and the 46RE (A-518). They offered these transmission for a while. The 42RE come behind the V-6 stock, and the 46RE (which, is built better) came behind the V-8s. I think the two are interchangeable.
As far as installing a used transmission, I would be leary of it unless the transmission was rebuilt by a reputible shop. That way you know the insides are good and everything (as in, no need to swap electronics or anything).
Personally, I would go with uninstalling/reinstalling by yourself (if, and only if, you feel comfortable doing it), and have yours rebuilt. They have parts they can put in to beef it up. Another thing you might want to look into/ask about is having them convert the transmission fluid pump so that it pumps fluid while the transmission is in park (as the stock setup does not for some reason [:'(]) I don't know what all is involved for them to do this, however. It's something I would have done if I had my transmission out, but, isn't necessary.

 

Well the tranny they said is basically out of a wrecked dodge dakota ...so i dont belive they rebuilt it..they just pulled it out since it was working and are parting the truck out...

 

i've bought 2 used trannies before and luckily they both lasted longer than the cars.

 

the 42-RE is not interchangeable with the 46-RE. You are thinking of the 44-RE and the 46-RE. I would just have the old one rebuilt buy a reputable shop. Not everyone knows how to do good auto trany work.

As for the statement on the fluid not moving while in park:

The pump is mounted right behind the Torque converter directly on the splines. When the engine runs the pump turns. There is no way that the pump cannot turn with the engine running. Anyone that doesn’t believe that should disconnect the cooling line and have someone start there ride.
WATCH OUT![sm=icon_rtfm.gif]

 

hmmm...what if i bought a working tranny with about 80,000 miles on it and out that in versus having mine rebuilt...it cost soo much to have it rebuilt

 

I wouldn't reccomend doing that. I know the cost is alot to have one rebuilt but the rebuilder (atleast a good one) will add a shift kit and do somethings to help this one last longer than your original one did. My biggest fear with replacing Dodge trannys is if you use a used one that you run the risk of doing the swap over again and its questionable just how long it may actually last. I guess that goes with any used part. I am biased though because customers often act like it is your fault if the used part they wanted doesn't last. Its a game of chance. If it was me I'd get the one in your truck rebuilt. Just my 2 cents.

 

This is the best way I can say it, DON'T BUY SOMEONE ELSE'S PROBLEM! Dodge transmissions are not very good and if you are going to do a swap you might as well get a manual tranny and I would have that rebuilt too. At least with a manual you have much less that can go wrong. The auto will go out on you before you know it. Hell mine went at 35k about 4 months after I bought the D.

 

The 42re is definitely not interchangeable with the 46re. This is especially true becuase the engine the uses the 46re is externally balanced meaning torque converter is different than that of a 42re

 

Darnit! [:@]. If my tranny ever went out, I wanted to replace it with a 46RE. There goes that plan. Guess if my tranny ever goes it, its a rebuilt/strengthened 42RE.