So what kind of things should I look for when looking for a shop to do the work? I've talked to several friends as most of them have had horrible luck with local shops. That's why I went with APS in the past, but it didn't last either. Now the first one a friend recommends was the cheapest, but he only offers a 12 month/ 12k mile warranty which isn't very impressive and it wasn't much cheaper. He didn't seem to be aware of many upgrades to do to these transmissions as he said there wasn't too much you could do to make them more reliable.

The second shop said that they offer a 24 month /24k mile warranty. I know my friend that recommended them had the first transmission they built for him die. However, they did fix it and said they should have used heavier duty bands than they did. This made me weary, but he has dealt with several shops in this area and this is the only one he likes. So I started asking them more questions. He told me it's a bunch of upgrades he does to these transmissions to make them last better. He didn't go into detail about them though. Then when I asked what kind of fluid they use he said a Multi Vehicle Fluid that they have been using for a while and have had no issues with. Now this is one of the things that made me really iffy. I've always been told to only use ATF+4 and never deal with a shop that doesn't. So should I avoid this shop? It's just hard to find a halfway decent shop as so many have treated my friends like crap and built transmissions for them that didn't last any time at all if they even worked right from the get go. So I'm avoiding all of those and it doesn't leave many more. Then these two that they do like don't really seem to know wtf they are doing.

Do you guys have any advice on how to find a decent local shop?

 

Word of mouth is about the best you are going to be able to do. When you have a couple candidates, look 'em up on the better business bureau website, and see if there are any complaints.

The multi-vehicle fluid just might a +4 type of fluid....

Find out specifically what upgrades he does, whether he uses stock, or aftermarket torque converters, and if he doesn't list an upgrade you want specifically, ask if he will do it, and if it changes price. (aside from the cost of additional parts... see if you can provide those...)

From what I have seen for upgrades, and bear in mind that I am in NO WAY an expert.... Things you want:

extra clutch packs.
Sure Cure kit.
Maybe the GM conversion kit for the governor?

 

Nothing in a 46RE requires +4 (especially one rebuilt with aftermarket parts). Any experienced transmission builder can tell you that.

 

So why do so many people say to only run ATF +4, and why is it that Dodge calls for it?

 

You can always supply the fluid I have done that in the past.

 

Home,
Where do you live?

 

^ Some where down in VA I think.

 

Because ATF +4 is all that Chrysler sells, of course they are going to tell you only to run it. ATF +4 didn't exist when your truck was built, factory fill for 2nd gen rams was nothing more than plain old Dexron.

+4 IS a superior fluid than Dex III or Mercon, mostly just in fluid life though. Dexron VI is better than +4 in every way though.

I always recommend using what the manufacturer suggests. I just get tired of the continuous "OMG you topped off with a quart of Dexron, your transmission is going to self destruct" kind of posts.

 

Your right. When his truck was built, it was factory filled with ATF +3

 

good luck with finding a good shop. For some reason this seems to be one of the hardest things to find anymore (honest shop). I wasn't happy with the shop I had mine done at although I can't complain as it has held up for the past three years. To be honest I always told myself I would buy a trans from APS after your review but now you kind of changed my mind lol. Best thing to do though is pick up the phone book and start scouting like you have been doing. Talk with the techs and get a feel. If your not comfortable, find another shop. Wish you luck with everything and keep us posted.