Transmission VIN Challenge
#31
Hey guys, Im resurrecting this thread because Im trying to determine the year-built of this transmission I have. I already know its a 46RE. This transmission is in a '99 model Dodge 2500 2WD truck with the 5.9 Magnum engine.
The reason for this post is that upon taking down the trans-pan, the valve body transducer is the black/square type that is typically seen on 2000-and-up 46RE transmission. The '96-thru-'99 transducer is round and has a different connector on it. So Im trying to figure out how it is that this '99 model truck came to have a >=2000 transducer in it.
I sent the VIN to that online Dodge Support site and they replied with the Build Sheet listing and confirmed that truck indeed was built with the 46RE from the factory. But what Im trying to determine now, is if the transmission that is in the truck now was a newer replacement, or is it only a newer valve body.
Thank you for any info you guys can share.
The reason for this post is that upon taking down the trans-pan, the valve body transducer is the black/square type that is typically seen on 2000-and-up 46RE transmission. The '96-thru-'99 transducer is round and has a different connector on it. So Im trying to figure out how it is that this '99 model truck came to have a >=2000 transducer in it.
I sent the VIN to that online Dodge Support site and they replied with the Build Sheet listing and confirmed that truck indeed was built with the 46RE from the factory. But what Im trying to determine now, is if the transmission that is in the truck now was a newer replacement, or is it only a newer valve body.
Thank you for any info you guys can share.
#32
Oh, BTW I called my local dealer and they said that casting number is a "package" or part number and has no bearing on when the trans was built. So much for getting an answer from a dealership, and when I tried to explain the "10,000 Day" thing they acted like I was crazy and "Ive been a Parts Manager for 16 years and never heard of such a thing."
First, the Germans discontinued the Chrysler 10000-day date system soon after the merger in 1998. This manager therefore NEVER worked for Chrysler when Chrysler was using this system (2016 - 16 = 2000), so it is completely reasonable that he is ignorant about it. Of course, just because one is ignorant does not change the facts. Witness the Flat Earth beliefs centuries ago.
Second, that is not a casting number. Casting numbers are cast into the casting when the part is made and usually are used for years, often decades, unchanged. Numbers added AFTER the casting was cast are never casting numbers. Casting numbers on Chrysler cases are typically 3 digits long before the merger and 3 digits and 2 letters long after the merger, although the old numbers often overlapped for years.
#33
Casting numbers are cast into the casting when the part is made and usually are used for years, often decades, unchanged.
#34
trying to research when I posted this I have owned a 96 and 2000 model truck. (EDIT) My original post was referring to a transmission I owned after selling my 1996 2wd Ram. It would have been the original transmission for that 96 truck. Before selling it I purchased a year 2000 2wd Ram truck which eventually also had transmission problems similar to what is described by another member in this thread where the OD doesn't work and the temperature was off. My problem was related to putting a 1999 transmission into a 2000 year truck. Swapping the electronics fixed that issue and I still own and drive that 2000 truck.
Last edited by pure adrenaline; 06-11-2016 at 12:22 PM.
#35
That is the case if nothing changed in the casting. The transmission castings changed almost yearly due to the speed sensor locations etc. Texasboy posted this same question on another forum i'm on. Look for the year casting on the transmission housing(may be on the valve body also) It's a the last two digits of the year with a circle around it. Small pic but you can see it is from 2002(02).
Here is a list of known variations in cases with the 238/238AB casting number,
1) 1992-1995 A618/47RH
0.940" bore for electrical plug
Threads for neutral safety switch
No bosses above shift levers
Always 238 casting number
Currently worth about $150 used
#2 & #3 below will fit by using rubber adapter supplied by Chrysler in plug bore
2) 1996-1998 47RE
1.100" bore for electrical plug
Threads for neutral safety switch
No bosses above shift levers
Usually but not always a 238 casting number
Currently worth about $150 used
#3 below fits
3) 1998-2002 47RE
1.100" bore for electrical plug
Threads for neutral safety switch
No bosses above shift levers
Usually but not always a 238AB casting number
Currently worth about $150 used
#2 above fits
4) 2003 only 48RE
1.100" bore for electrical plug
NO threads for neutral safety switch
No bosses above shift levers
Believed to always be a 238AB casting number - Have not seen enough to be sure yet
Currently worth about $500 used
#5 below will fit by not using cannister bosses
5) 2004-2007 48RE
1.100" bore for electrical plug
No threads for neutral safety switch
2 threaded bosses above shift levers
Believed to always be a 238AB casting number - Have not seen enough to be sure yet
Currently worth about $800 used
Nothing else fits
In addition to the above variations, there is a boss on the side of the bell that is sometimes threaded and sometimes not threaded. No clue why the difference there. I just sell the cases with threaded bosses unless the I know that the customer does not need it. If the customer does need it and gets an unthreaded case, he can always thread it himself.
Except for #5, all of the cases appear to be identical, just machined differently. #5 has 2 added bosses, but for some unknown reason the casting number remained the same, which is really odd.
List of known case varieties for this series of transmissions:
http://mmerlinn.com/catalog/gbeezy1/...10.htm#default
Undoubtedly, this list is incomplete.
Last edited by mmerlinn; 06-11-2016 at 02:56 PM.
#36
trying to research when I posted this I have owned a 96 and 2000 model truck. (EDIT) My original post was referring to a transmission I owned after selling my 1996 2wd Ram. It would have been the original transmission for that 96 truck. Before selling it I purchased a year 2000 2wd Ram truck which eventually also had transmission problems similar to what is described by another member in this thread where the OD doesn't work and the temperature was off. My problem was related to putting a 1999 transmission into a 2000 year truck. Swapping the electronics fixed that issue and I still own and drive that 2000 truck.
#37
#38