Hey Guys,

I know I'm in the 2-Gen section, but I have a 2002 Ram 1500 5.9L with the 2WD 46RE. I know the trans is about to go out as the reverse has been out for sometime now. So I've been trying to look through all the 46re threads and haven't really found my answer. But will older 46re transmissions work in a '02? How about the Dakota transmissions? I know they have the 5.9 option like the ram, would theirs plug and play? A local rebuild quote from two shops here in Hawaii both have landed on a $3,000 tag. Any help would be appreciated. And I'm sorry if posting in this section is inappropriate.

 

The electronics would be different. On the Ram's, the electronics changed in 00. Not sure on others, but, think it would be reasonable to assume the same. If you can find a 00 or newer, should bolt right in, and hook right up. Anything older, and you will have the change the governor stuff, and the bracket that holds the pressure sensor in place.

 

Alright, cool. Thank you so much for your help. So after calling the dealership, they have a transmission in the system, but they're wanting $3800 not including labor! So, that's a tad ridiculous. I found a transmission part number of 5083387AA that I got from the Dakota forum. And after crossing that number with the one that is supposedly in my truck, they're different. So looking at the transmission number that's supposedly in my truck, 30850959AA, the compatibility includes 2002-03 Durangos Dakotas, and Ram 1500s with the 5.9L. I'm so lost. Haha. Would you have any advice?


My dad is also wondering if you could replace the broken snap ring from the bottom without dropping the whole trans.


Anyway, thank you again for your help HeyYou!

 

Snap ring? Which one??

3800 bucks for a trans? Seriously? What's it made of? Gold?????

3 grand for a REBUILD?????? It's half that around here. And that includes the R&R....

You could get a PATC mega-viper for 2500..... (shipping to Hawaii would be killer though I bet....)

As for compatibility... I am not sure. Did Chrysler change something (yet again) in 02?? I will grant, that is not outside the realm of possibility..... Can't be anything truly earth-shattering though.... most I could see would be changing the electronics.

 

Being that he's in Hawaii there isn't going to be a *cheap* option unless he wanted to try and rebuild it himself and just order parts...

The hassle of living on an island..... (jealous sarcasm...)

 

Sorry, I suppose either the Reverse or Overdrive snap ring. My dad wants to gather as much intel before we spend a few hours under the truck.

Yeah, no kidding. The guy I called at the dealership wasn't very subtle, just gave me the big number.

3 grand for a REBUILD?????? It's half that around here. And that includes the R&R....

You could get a PATC mega-viper for 2500..... (shipping to Hawaii would be killer though I bet....)

If an online fitment catalog says the durango, dakota, and the ram used the same trans in 2003, and the 2003 is a part of the 2001-03 run, I bet it shouldn't be too far off. I'll have to make a few more calls, just to be sure.

 

Yeah, that's the unfortunate part about this place. Either a seller on the mainland won't even bother with shipping an item or they'll charge an arm and a leg for it. Slightly ridiculous. I was looking at the rebuild kit for the trans, and was thinking it probably wouldn't all be that bad, since this truck isn't a daily driver.

I've already called around to the local junkyards, and all they have are transmissions for the 3.7, 4.7, and 5.7. Dealership and trans shops are out. So either a deal on ebay, or one of the mopar sites will be my best bet. All I need is concrete info on fitment.

 

You can separate the O/D unit from the rest of the trans, and rebuild it independent of the trans. It would be a stop-gap measure though..... No clue how long the rest of the trans would last.

You CAN rebuild it yourself. Several members here have done so, having never been inside an automatic trans before. There is a thread in the DIY section for just such an occasion, with links to some good walkthrus. I think PATC sells the 'mega viper' parts kit for just under a grand. Since the truck isn't your DD, you could take your time, and do it up right, and never have to worry about it again. The only really interesting part is compressing a spring for the O/D unit (800 pounds per inch......) If you don't have a press, could probably get a machine shop to do it up for you.