I heard this whinning noise coming from under the hood , then I started to loose my gears. I took it to the local dodge dealer and the said I need a new tranny.

Description of the problem:

I can drive the truck for about 10 mins and its ok, then the noise (whinning) starts and the truck looses the gears (shifting).

Any ideas ?

SPEC: 2001 Dodge ram 1500 3.9 v6

 

I would like to replace with a high performance tranny , any recommendations ?

 

Hello,

The symptom you have sounds like the filter is getting stopped up and that's makes the pump whine because it's starved for fluid and you loose gears. As far as a high perfoermance trans, There are companies out there that do sell them. They are pretty pricey and then you have to put it in or pay someone to install it. If a builder at a tranny shop knows what he is doing he can beef it up for you all that you need. They are really good transmissions if they are rebuilt right. You have a 42RE trans. Hope this helps.

 

Not a whole lot as far as performance for a 42re but there are many great upgrades for them. More than likely your pump will be no good, at the very least.

 

Thanks for your suggestions.

I would like to find a good performance upgrade to give it a little kick. Any thing you can recommend that I look at for upgrading.

 

Hello,

Basically this is a 727 with an OD section on the back, so there are several thing to choose from to beef this unit up. Sonnax makes three valves to go into the VB that are really nice. Also Superior make a new TCC boost plate to replace the horse shoe clip that breaks. The part # is K065. You can also get a super servo for the front band to beef 1-2 shift and they also make different ratios for the front band arm for stronger apply. You can take the spring out of the 1-2 accumulator and there are also holes you can drill in the seperator plate for the VB. There is a pretty good bit you can do to beef up. Hope this helps.

 

904 not 727. The 46re is like a 727. The 42re that the OP has is like a 904.

But like i said, there isnt much performance (read: racing/off road) wise you can do to this unit. Just great upgrades. I would start with a sonnax sure cure, then on top of that use a Transgo junior shift kit or superior shift kit.

Changing the apply struts just brings the band on faster, it doesnt really give it a stronger apply, and if the apply is stronger than the gain is insignificant.

 

Hello,

Sorry missed the 3.9L. But yes you can beef them up.

 

The mechanic for some metal shavings in the tranny, but he could not find where they came from.
So I am now looking to get a rebuilt tranny or a performance tranny .
I still want to keep it automatic.
But I dont know where to start.

Any ideas ?

 

More than likely they came out of the torque converter.