Hey guys! First of all let me say...I have done plenty of researching on this forum about the transmissions in our trucks. I was just wondering how many miles these transmissions will last if properly maintained and not subjected to heavy towing or snowplowing. Mine has just about 101,000 miles and the transmission shifts extremely smooth/well. The previous owners maintained the truck very well and according to the carfax, the transmission fluid was replaced at/before the required intervals. Previous owner only pulled a light 6x12 tool trailer a couple of times to work and back.

I have read that some have gotten 150,000 to 170,000 miles out of them before a rebuild was needed. I only plan on driving the truck about three to four months per year so it will be a very long time before I would even reach 150,000. And I understand that it could happen any given day at any given time...but do you think (knowing the truck's background) that the transmission will last me to 150,000 miles or beyond? Its a 2000 1500 (5.9) unsure of transmission but from reading on the forum it is probably a 46re.

Thanks Everybody!

 

Welcome to DF!

If you want to be sure of making 150,000 miles, get that anti-drainback check valve out of there and replace it with a remote filter. Then you've got a pretty good chance of making it -- the most common cause of failure in these 46R's is loss of coolant flow. Another thing that'll help to get you there is to always bring the engine up to at least 140F, with the transmission in Neutral (as opposed to Park) for at least the last minute, before heading out after a cold start if the ambient temperature is below freezing.

Yes, it's a 46RE in your rig.

 

I've had the official "rebuild the transmission" fund sitting aside long enough that I've raided it at least a dozen times... Knocking on wood, I haven't needed it yet..

I've got about 180k on it..

I deleted the check valve, I implemented an additional heat transfer (cooler).. I installed a remote filter and swap it every third oil change.. I installed a temp gauge and eagle eye it when towing or hauling.. I do regular maintenance.. the only thing I've had to do is swap electronics, but that was near 100k miles ago.. I check fluids and cut open the spent filter to look for chunks.. I have 4.56:1 axle ratios which make life easier on it..

I expect the trans has a good bit of life remaining,.but I still have the fund set aside just in case.. if you care for it, and take precautions such as additional cooler and check valve delete, you should see similar miles if you don't abuse it..

 

+1 on the temp gauge. https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...peratures.html

 

And if you installe a remote filter to help take better care of it, be sure to hook up correctly......

 

Great, this is all extremely good info! I was looking at the walkthrough https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...r-install.html

Is this the correct way of going about doing this? One member had a good point about the PSI after the filter install? Does his comment hold any credibility?

Also I see summitracing has various transmission coolers to choose from for our trucks...which one would be best to go with?
http://www.summitracing.com/search/Y...mission+cooler

Also is this still a good Idea to add these onto the tranny even though I will never tow/haul anything?

 

Looking at the hayden trans coolers on summitracing...which one should I get?
http://www.summitracing.com/search/M...n+fluid+cooler

Also I looked at the thread on removing the drain back check valve and one member had a good point about the PSI after installation...Does his comment hold true? Could it actually damage the transmission? In other words, I guess, what is the right way to rig up the external filter?
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...r-install.html

Also would it still be smart to install an additional cooler and external filter even though I will not be doing any towing/hauling with the truck?

 

i did all that stuff and the OD snap ring still broke out at about 150K.

 

I've got ~250K on my truck and the trans. seems OK other than a delayed 2-3 shift once it's warmed up. Pretty sure it must have been rebuilt or replaced previous to me getting it though considering it's general lack of maintenance (rode hard, put up wet).

 

I have 165000 on my truck and as far as I can tell it's the original trans. Shifts fine. A friend of mine had a 94 or 95 Ram and she had 330,000 miles on it with the original trans when she sold it.