hey guys whats up. im new to this forum. hope this is the right place to post this.


well anyways, i have a '97 ram 1500 4x4 5.9l and the second tranny is going out. its a 46re if im not mistaken. im def not going to rebiuld this tranny again, so what are some beefier trannys i can get for my truck. i know 2nd gen ram's trannys are garbage so i need one that i know will last me at least another year or two. the last time i replaced the tranny was just three years ago.

im from the bay area (CA) so maybe some of you guys know of some good cheap shops around here.

 

 

Dr. Evil and APS Precision make good trannies.

http://www.apsprecision.com/Transmission.html
http://www.dreviltransmissions.com/home.html

 

Jason, I don't know if you know the answer to this but, if the stock trannys are so bad, what changes do places like Dr Evil and others make to the trannys they sell to make them better? Also, the non stock trannys, do they still use ATF+4 or do they use any other fluids? Mine is fine, but if it gives me trouble down the road, I am already muling over the idea of whether to do a stock rebuild or replace with a better tranny.

 

where are those shops located. im not trying to send my tranny off somewhere.


what are some beefier aftermarket trannys i can put in my truck

 

:bump_icon:

 

i'm not a transmission expert, but here's some general info.

due to the mechanical fit on all years, and the computer controls in the 96+ models, you don't really have any choices on what transmission you can use. you have to re-use the same thing that came out of it. its too bad but, you can't simply replace a dodge transmission with a GM or Ford or Toyota or ACME univeral replacement.

why are the oem's so crappy ? repeating what i've heard - its a combination of some design flaws, crappy parts, too little user maintenance, etc. all of that is due Dodge making them as cheap cheap cheap as they can, and betting they will just barely outlast the warrranty period. in general, most transmissions would last 10 times longer if you changed the oil and filter on a regular basis the same way you change the engine oil. but for some reason that i'll never understand, auto manufacturers tell us the transmissions don't need servicing, and they don't make them serviceable with drain plugs, remote filters, and methods to drain the valve body and torque converter.

so what do you do ? find a dodge transmission expert that will install the upgraded parts that are available. it includes better seals, better (more expensive) clutches and bands, redesigned valve body parts, better lubrication valves, better (more expensive) torque converters, elimination of coolant blocking check valves, big *** coolers, bigger pans, etc. clearly identify the specific parts and brands that are going into the transmission. don't just accept - "we'll rebuild it". that can mean anything from replacing $100 - $1500 worth of parts. get a written warranty. try to evaluate whether they honor the warranty, or just blow you off.

or, you just shut your eyes and buy a rebuilt one from rockauto or autozone.

 

thanks man. thas what i wanted to hear. but ive heard stories of people putting an NV4500 tranny in their 2nd gen dodge. is that possible for mine.

 

Very good explanation dhvaughan, thanks for those great details. I would never have thought to ask about all that. Hopefully by keeping up the maintenance, I won't need to ask that.