Hello guys,

Well I finally got the dodge truck I been wanting. The truck is a 2001 dodge ram 4x4 quad cab. Now the truck is needing some work but with the price that I am giving for it I am okay with that. What I need to find out is I seem to keep coming across some conflicting information and some horror storys about the 46RE transmission. The truck currently drives and the 5.9 that is in it has no problem making it scoot down the road however, when the truck is placed in reverse it hesitates really bad thus the reason I am getting it for so cheap because it will probably need a transmission rebuild or another transmission. So that's where you guys come in. What is the deal with the 46RE? Is it best to rebuild it and if so what rebuild kit or upgrades should I ask the local transmission guy to do when he rebuilds it? Thanks in advance for the help.
Before you guys say try the search feature I do what to say I have spent the better part of a week reading threads, jumping to different forums reading as much as I can so that I may try to make an intelligent decision . I have been unable to find a universal answers for what are the weak parts in this transmission what upgrades offer a bulliet proof transmission.

 

Properly taken care of, it's really not all that bad.... no worse than GM's 700R4....

That said, first thing to do would be to drop the pan, change fluid and filter, and adjust the bands. That may solve the reverse problem right there.

If that doesn't work.... or, you find stuff in the pan that you really don't like.... PATC makes the Mega Viper. It's 2500 bucks, but, it will be the last trans you put in your truck. You can get just the parts kit for just under 1000, I think... and then have your rebuilder do the work.

 

My transmission did similar things but when I changed the fluid/filter and adjusted the bands it fixed all my problems. You will hear a lot of horror stories about the dodge trannies but it depends who you ask. My last ram had 350,000km on the original transmission and I wasn't easy on it.

If it needs a rebuild or will down the roads, like HeyYou said, the megaViper is practically bulletproof.

 

Thanks you guys! I have always loved this body style of dodge and I am excited to finally have one.
I got my work cut out for me though. The dash board is busted up, somebody wired in a trailer brake in a very unsafe way so I got to fix that. I am going to need to do a inventory of things that need replaced immediately and what I can replace as I can.
Here is some pictures!

 

This doesn't really answer anything as to what you posted about but I like that rich blue color it has!

 

The Transmission fluid has a burnt smell to it so I was just assuming that with the smell and the fact it doesn't want to pull in reverse I would be needing the transmission to be rebuilt or replaced. I can't drop the pan and take a closer look until 2 weeks from now when I get paid again. I am going to buy new transmission fluid and filter as was suggested and have my uncle come over and do the band adjustment. Sorry about not being more direct about the questions I was asked. I was so excited about it I had to post some pictures of it.

 

No, you're fine. I was saying that my post had nothing to do with your question lol. I had to get my tranny rebuilt. Cost me $775. I had melted stuff in my tranny and it basically welded itself in spots. I got a v10 dodge 2500 so my tranny got all new high torque parts.

 

Wow, that's CHEAP for a rebuild. Did you just bring them the trans? Where did you have it done??

 

Congrats man. I have 141k on my stock transmission with no issues and I regularly tow 6,000lbs in the summer.

 

Funny you should say that I got a local transmission guy who will rebuild the transmission in it and gurantee it for 2 years unlimited mileage for $800. I am really thinking about going this route. BTW my truck is a very different blue than what the dodge trucks came with from the factory. Turns out this truck was professionaly repainted (the truck was originally white) however, the only spot you see the white color is on the fire wall.