What's the difference between automatic transmissions used in a 1998 RAM 1500 4X4? Apparently the 5.2 and 5.9 Gas engines used different transmissions. Can they be changed to be interchangeable?

 

All 5.2 and 5.9 gas burning motors were equipped with either a 46RH or a 46RE transmission. Being a 1998, I assume you have a 46RE.
Where you are hearing the differences is more than likely someone not knowing that there are two 5.9s. One is a 360CI gas burner, and the other is a 361CI diesel burner.
The only two trucks that got different automatic transmissions were the 8.0 V10, and the 5.9 Cummins turbo diesel. Those were equipped with a 47RE transmission.

Another misconception is the common thought that 2500 5.9s with the towing or camper package got an upgraded tranny, but this isn't the case. The 47RE trans will not mount to a 5.2 or a 5.9.

 

Yup, Laramie is right.

1994-1995: 46RH
1996-2001: 46RE

There were some wiring differences throughout the years of the RH and then the RE, so two different model years won't be "plug and play", so to speak. However, same model year, 5.2L or 5.9L V8, doesn't matter.

You will also find a 46RH/46RE on the 4x4 V6 Dodge Ram 1500s, but not the 4x2 V6s.

 

359ci to be exact.

Fixed.

What are you talking about? (To the OP) Manual or Automatic? The 1/2 ton 318 and 360 both used the 46RH and 46RE transmissions. As well, the 3/4 and 1 ton 360s had the 46RE. The only manual transmission that came with the 1/2 tons was the NV3500. And you could only get a Manual 1/2 ton with the 318 engine. But you could get the 360 with the same NV4500 used by the 488 V10 and 359 Cummins I6 in the 3/4 and 1 ton.

 

Depends on which year and which manual you read, young grass hoppah. God I miss that actor.

 

I believe the Flexplates are different.

 

I always thought the 5.2 came with the 44re, and the 5.9 came with the 46re. I know my 98 dakota with the 5.2 had the 44re, but maybe the 44re was only used with the dakota. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

No, actually, you screwed it up.

Trust me. My dad has a 1994 Dakota with the 5.2L V8, and he has the 46RH.

1994 used the 42RH, 46RH, and 47RH, just like the 1995s. At least, the Rams and Dakotas did.

 

I know 44re's were used in Durangos.

 

I'm not trying to start trouble here, but I know that my dakota had the 44re transmission, but the 46re was an option that it didn't have. My truck didn't have the towing package. I had the damned thing into the dealership more times than I care to remember because of the transmission