Last year I had to take my 96 Ram (72,000 miles) in for transmission work. It would not shift, and still showed 3000 rpms at 50 mph. The mechanic said it was a wonder the truck made it to the shop. Had to be completely rebuilt for a sum of 1,700 bucks. He saidDodge has been using the same transmission in trucks for thepast 40 years, only they added the overdrive. He told me that transmission failure is common in Rams. Anyone else knowif this is true?

 

Yep.

 

Yep....

Actually the 46re is based on a bulletproof transmission. Dodge just messed it up by putting in a locking torque convertor that had flaws. The other problem is that the check valve feeding the overdrive gets stuck closed and then the tranny melts.

 

yep if built correctly the 46re tranny is a very strong unit!(I guess it depends on who builds it) I built mine and its incredible!

 

change fluid on time, and adjust bands correctly and on time.
178,6xx miles on this one.

also with a (IMO)defect in the front clutch piston hub leaking fluid past a seal in the tranny. - premature failure - replace with aftermarket, and your fine.
little problems here and there... :/

They are honestly not THAT BAD.
they were based off of the TF-727
same case, just an overdrive unit attached... and lock-up TC pretty much

 

Mine went 386,000 it's 46rh though.

 

mine started to hold 3 grand at 50mph and it was a bad trans relay . i swapped it with the horn relay and the trans would shift normal. it shifts in 2nd at 2500and does get up to 3100 before it shifts to 3rd then shifts to 4th at 2500. is the o/d switch on the dash supposed to have a light to tell when o/d is off? if it does mine was out when i bought it. i just go by the sound of the motor revving and tach. if it is at 3000 at 55 i push the o/d button and the rpms will drop to 2200

 

yea there is a light for the o/d but urs is probably just burnt out, simple to change really

 

does the bulb cover pop off orcan i get to it from under the dash or do i have to pull some of the dash covers off