Hello all, I'm new to the forum and have been looking around a bit but can't find an answer to this specific question.

I have a 2001 Ram 1500 4x4 with a 5.9 and 46RE Trans and 167,000 miles.
My trans is needing a rebuild and every shop I call wants $1500 to $1800. I found a guy who has a 2003 Ram 3500 2 wheel drive truck he is parting out due to extensive body damage from a storm. He is willing to sell me the motor and trans for less than the cost of a trans rebuild. The motor and trans both have 100,000 miles. He said they come with all wiring, hoses, and even the computer. My concern is being that the drive train is (1) out of an 03 and (2) a 2 wheel vs. a 4 wheel drive. Would it work in my truck? or would I be better off paying for the trans rebuild? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I just don't know enough to comfortably dive into something like this without some outside help.

 

It would still probably end up being cheaper to get your trans rebuilt......

The trans won't work for your 4x4. No provision for the transfer case. You would still need to do something about that. (and converting that one would require..... rebuilding the trans, and swapping parts...... that you would have to buy.....)

 

Thanks for the info, that's something I wasn't aware of. I figured the computer would cause issues but I didn't even think about the transfer case, I was only thinking I'd have to swap the tail piece.

 

Not so lucky as all that. Output shaft, and tailshaft housing are different between two, and four wheel drive.

Are we having fun yet?

 

I'm swapping an 03 into my 97. It's in it starts but the work to get it there is more than just dropping it in and going. You need to really want it. I picked up the entire 03 rolled for a grand, not a bad deal, If he will sell you the whole truck you will be better off. You can make some money back by parting out stuff you won't be using off either truck. My build has taken me over a year, cash flow and hot weather new baby and work are my main set backs. You have to switch out frame mounts for the motor, modify the transmission mounts, brake lines, radiators, ac condenser it's all different you also have to decide how you are going to run your dash board controls( meaning sticking with old dash or swapping to the new style) I swapped in the new style dash. you have to do some cutting on the fire wall. I would look into finding a 4x4 transmission the difference in price is not significant. It is do able but it takes work time and some money. If you decide to go for it I will try helping you as much as I can.

 

It will cost you about 3000 to do the swap. It is not just shoehorning in a new engine and tranny.

This is something that would take an OVERHAULIN CREW two weeks to complete.

 

Did you re~build the transmission or get the Hemi ?

 

That would have made a great episode of OverHaulin'

 

Haven't done anything yet, got hurt at work and went out on work comp, had knee surgery, then got fired. So needless to say, I have had a poorly timed lack of funds to do anything with the truck. Matter of fact I just had to replace the Ignition Lock Cylinder and Neutral Safety Switch in my Buick Lesabre, and the parts for that ran me close to $200. Just ****ty timing.