I have seen some conflicting information here in other threads. I have a V6, 2wd 2001 auto with what I am told has a 42re transmission. My forward clutch packs & 1st gear band are crapping out on me. I had 3 area tranny shops tell me the same thing with no coaching from me, so I suspect they are correct. I went to a 4th tranny shop that said something very confusing to me. He said he has a used 518 that he can swap it out with & those are a better transmission. I know the 3.9 is the same as a 5.2 only with 2 cylinders lopped off, so I imagine any tranny made for the 318 from the gen2's will work? Are the 42 re & the 518 trannies swappable like this? If it is done, are there special parts I would need to get or other modification required? Would it confuse the computer or make my speedo incorrect? I really hope you guys can answer this for me, because I cant afford the rebuild but I think I can afford a junker tranny and I would love for it to be something stronger than the one I have that started crapping out at 42k miles.

 

Isn't the 46RE also referred to ask a 518?

 

That's what I thought too, but now I am getting some conflicting information.

 

IF the 46RE is also the 518 it's an OK transmission, they break and need repair but, what transmission doesn't? sometimes a full out rebuild, sometimes not.

I don't know if it's a better transmission then the 42re, I have the 46RE in my truck, it was rebuilt about 4k before I bought it, problem free so far. I did do a fluid/filter change after I bottomed out and bent the transmission fluid pan a little.

 

I noticed that ALL the guys who work at area tranny shops drive ram trucks. I also hear from various sources that dodge makes crap for transmissions. I also heard that from local tranny shops. I understand what you mean about anything can break. If it has moving parts, it will need work eventually. I just think there is some credence to what I hear about dodge trannies since mine is crapping out at 42k miles. I have also been looking onto finding an adapter for a 700r4 gm tranny also, but not for the dodges. Those are known to be very stout trannies and with a small amount of upgrading, can handle tons of abuse & power. I hope someone out here can tell me for sure if they are the same or different.

 

Just give it a little bit of time, someone with more transmission knowledge will come along and fill us in.

 

I found this : http://dodgeram.org/tech/transmission/4xre.htm

Automatic, 4-Speed Overdrive Gear RatiosTransmission42RE46RE47REOrder CodeDGKDGTDGP1st Gear2.742.452.452nd Gear1.541.451.453rd Gear1.001.001.004th Gear0.690.690.69R Gear2.212.212.21Torque Converter
Diameter273 mm
(10.75 in.)273 mm
(10.75 in.)310 mm
(12.2 in.)Input Torque
Rating (ft-lb)NANA450GCVW (lb)7,80014,00019,000ApplicationV6 2WDV6 4WD, V8
V10, Diesel

Looks like 46re will work on a 6 cyl, but I do not know the difference between 518 and 46re labeling....

 

And there lies the question foremost on my mind gdstock, what is really what. That is an interesting link.

 

Two different names for the same thing. Like 700R4, and 4L60. The only real difference between the 42RE, and 46RE is some of the internal parts. first number designates number of gears, second number is 'relative torque capacity'.... R means rear drive, E means electronic.

 

Looks like a 46 will replace a 42 physically, but how will PCM respond?