Hello dodge forum,

So im new here and have been reading posts to help me me with different things on my 94 1500 that i recently purchased.

Truck specs
1994 - 1500 - 4x4 - 5.2 - Auto trans 46RH - std cab long box
276000miles
Im not sure what trim level she is but, she is very basic with vinyl floors and seats also no power options.

Here is where my problems start. When i first got her she had a slight delay when shifting from 2nd to 3rd didnt think much of it. A week later she started shifting erratically and somtimes hard. I started reading and thought it might be the tv cable but today, started slipping and now doesnt move forward or reverse.

So does any one have any input?

 

Welcome to the board


At 276000 miles, the transmission is probably shot and needs to be rebuilt, that's my guess. Maybe someone else here can offer some ideas to fix your problem, that might get you back on the road.

 

You got hosed. The seller knew when that 2-3 shift got sloppy that it was time to find a sucker. That or he is really very ignorant, almost too stupid to live, and just got amazingly lucky to sell it when he did. Ain't too many that stupid who can pass a driver's license exam.

Since these transmissions, in stock trim, tend to puke at 140,000 to 180,000 miles that's likely the first replacement and it's just plain worn out.

Check out the ATF on the dipstick. If it's burnt or polluted with fines (grey gunk) or metal flakes the transmission is done for and any attempts to squeeze a few more miles out of it are just wasted money. If it's not burnt you might snag the factory service manual and rented pressure gauges and do some diagnostics, but chances are pretty good that the end result will be a diagnosis of throw it away and start over. If you take it to a shop they're almost certainly going to tell you that it's rebuild time whether it is or not. But it probably is anyway so a diagnosis of rebuild required doesn't necessarily mean they're next in line to throw you a hosing.

With vinyl floors you've got what's known as a Base model. A man's truck.

 

Figures, so any recommendations as far rebuild kits, my father is a master mechanic and said this transmision is rather easy to rebuild, i should have had him look it over before buying it......

 

Oooo. Now THAT sounds like an opportunity. Now, the question becomes: How long do you want to keep this truck? Given the mileage on it....... the trans probably isn't the only 'tired' part on it.... you are rapidly approaching end of life for just about everything in the drivetrain...... You can easily spend a grand on just parts to rebuild the trans.... but, next item up for bids is going to be the motor......

Unless the body on this truck is in REALLY good shape, and things have been very well maintained, it might be time to cut your losses, and just sell it. Buy something in better condition, with FAR fewer miles.

 

i want to turn this into a my off road project but still be road legal and nothing really extreme
as far as the engine goes that was already getting planned and researched. the plenum isnt blown but i want to change the plate out.

 

Then beefing the trans is definitely in order. Either that, or doing an NV4500 Swap. (manual trans.....)

On page 6 of MonteC's trans corner, there is a list of parts he recommended for a member that regularly towed a 7 thousand pound trailer. Using that list would give you good, reliable trans. Some of the parts won't apply to you, namely, the electronics.... but, upgrading the suggested hard parts would go a long way toward giving you a bulletproof trans. (a fair few 47RH parts will fit right into the case, and they are MUCH stronger than the stock pieces.)

 

I know where a nv4500 is but i dont think my father would appreciate me taking it out of his 2500 v10

 

Don't tell him where you got it from.

Of course, the bellhousing wouldn't work for the V-8.....

 

would a 47rh fit a 5.2