I have a question about transmission compatibility on a project I am working on. I have a 96 1500 with a v6 auto. The poor v6 finally gave out after 200,000+. It just could not handle the load I was putting it under anymore. I decided to swap the old v6 for a 318 for the added power. The question is can the transmission that was behind the v6 bolt up to the 318 and handle the added power of the 318? I know very little about transmissions and have no idea what transmission I have or how to even tell.

 

do you have a build sheet. it should bolt up to a 318. i think all 3 engines got the same 46rh or 46re.

 

First of all thank you for replying so quick. I am about to go get the vin number to order the build sheet. I thought the same thing but I had found another thread that said there were 4 transmissions for the 1500 2nd gen. See link below, 2nd post.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...ification.html

 

Ok according to the the build sheet I have a 42re transmission.

 

i don't think it will last long under the power of the 318 but you never know. usually dodge trucks need a transmission rebuild in the 200,000 mile area.

 

If everything on the Ram is the same as my 98 Dakota was, then I could tell you yes. I bolted a 318 to my 5 speed V6 tranny.

 

I do plan on doing some work to the tranny while its out. I know the pump was going out so I was going to replace it. I changed the fluids and filter in not to long ago and there was no sign of metal shavings in the pan or on the magnet. Should I have it rebuilt with new gears and all or have new clutches and bands installed? Again I am clueless on trannys. I can work on the motors with no problem but a tranny is brain surgery to me!

 

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

If your trans is currently on it's way out..... instead of rebuilding the 42 in there now, find a 46RE, rebuild that, and drop it in with the 318.

You will need the PCM, and wiring harness for the V-8 as well. ONLY 96 or 97 will work as far as wiring and PCM.

 

I would go with nothing less than a hardened 46RE. No way I would leave a 42RE in there as I would think it will not hold up.

 

I have done some research and the 42re and 46re are not all that different as far as gear ratios go. (1st and 2nd are slightly different and 3rd and 4th are exactly the same) They also both use the electronics to help it shift. From what I have gathered from internet research it appears that the 42re will work fine. I am going to rebuild the tranny before i put it back in. It has about 200,000 miles on it so its time to put new clutches and bands in it as well as new seals, pump, torque converter, etc. The tranny was slipping on take off before the truck was parked. There are no metal shavings in the pan so that tells me the gears are good.