Might want to rething that. Transmission flushes are a horrible idea. At least from all I've ever heard. I used to work at a shop that did them and I had one done on my old transmission but I don't think I would ever again. If you do them I'd start when near new but honestly, I wouldn't do it. You would be much better off having the fluid drained and the filter changed. Half the time with the flushes the filter doesn't get changed then it backflushes everything and what was in the filter now comes into the transmission and cloggs everything up.

Also are you sure the dealership will warranty it if you put your deep transmission pan and cooler? Are you also sure that the other shop isn't taking those back?

I know when my transmission went some places along with guys online told me I had to flush the cooler but some local places refused to do it unless I put a new cooler on. The reason being of both is that when transmissions are bad sometimes something will get in the cooler and then come out later and ruin your new transmission quickly. This has happend to quite a few people. Since your's is bad and acting up they may not want you to use that. However, they may not care either. This is why I went with the B&M.


You should probably go for a transmission temperature gauge also. I didn't think I needed one at first as I don't do a ton of towing or anything but I just recently started wanting one so I went ahead and ordered one. It seems to be a good thing to have so you can monitor the temperature of it.

 

count me as one of those that think the transmission and differential should outlast the engine

that almost never seems to happen on Dodge pickups

i have watched industrial Falk gearboxes run for 40+ years in terrible conditions

 

I'm not sure what is going to happen in regards to the transmission pan and cooler. If Dodge won't warranty their product with my pan and cooler, I'll just buy the products through them. I called the dealership today and asked if they offered any kind of a beefed up 46re transmission. I told him I tow often and that I know that these transmissions can be susceptible to overheating. I also heard guys that our transmissions do not self cool when ideling in Park, is that true? Anyways, I'm waiting on him to call me back to see what they offer or if there is anything they will add that won't void my warranty. I still have no idea how this is going to play out though, they've yet to respond. Hopefully I can get my money back and have the oppurunity to try this again.

And yes, differentials and transmissions SHOULD atlast an engine. I've already had to have my transmission replaced, and my rear end overhauled, I don't know of any other people I know that have had to do either with trucks that are much older than mine. My truck is just 7 years old, that's very very sad. Fortunately Dodge is one of the best looking and fun to drive though, sure makes up for it's flaws.

 

Yup I agree. Both my rear differential has had work and my transmission has been replaced. That's crazy. We have a 96 Honda Accord that has been treated worse than the truck and not all maintence has been done on time with it and it has 235k or so miles give or take. Guess what is original? The motor, the transmission, and most other parts on the car. It's been through a few exhausts, a few axles, and quite a few brake rotors and pads. It's had A/C work I think once or twice, a starter, a heater hose, a radiator, and few sensors here and there but all in all it's had way less work than my truck has with less than half the miles.


BTW as for the park thing. The stock transmissions doesn't flow fluid when in park only when in neutral. That's why you check the fluid with the truck in neutral. There are kits out there that fix this however.

 

I have to say that I've noticed a trend, in that most problems with the 2nd gen Rams , are 2001's! When 01dodgeram360 said he knows people with much older Rams that are still fine , a bell went off in my head! Mine has 150k and the trans for instance is fine! It's like they(Dodge) threw a bunch of old parts laying on the shelves for years together, and when they ran out they got cheap parts made, to throw together the last of the 2nd gen.

 

the trend I have noticed is that
1987 to 1993 518 auto transmissions
and 1994-1995 46RH auto transmissions
have tended to have better life
than 1996+ 46RE autos
which have the OBD-II PCM computer controlling ATF line psi through vfs

 

I was using the tranny as one example for the 2001. Seems they are more prone for most of the other probs too. Like my 98 evap core I just did this summer,I still have the original TPS and only replaced the IAC last summer. Seems like the only common denominator is the 4x4 front end probs.

 

I've read more tranny problems on the forum with people that have 96 to 99 Rams than 2000 and 2001s. But maybe thats just me.

 

In regards to an update about the dealership offering a beefed up 46RE, the answer is no. Then again, the guy I talked to sounded more on the feminine side, and didn't look very interested in looking into my questions. I called orginally and told him how I was searching for a new transmission. I mentioned that I knew the 46RE was susceptible to overheating and early failure. I asked if they offered a beefier version, or if they offered any kinds of services that could prolong the life of the transmission without voiding the warranty. He gave me typical answer and said a transmission cooler, and a deeper pan would be just about the best insurance I could do. He told me that they are good about their warranty. If anything fails, it will be covered as long as it's under the warranty. The guy just more so irritated me though. So I think I'm going to go over there and try to talk to one of the technicians because I just don't feel fulfilled at all with the homo I talked to.

 

Oh no. Isn't this exactly how the last transmission shop story started? I see it happening all over again. Hope I'm wrong but I can just picture it all happening again. As for the answer of it would be covered under warranty don't you think everywhere would give you that answer?