Looking around the inter webs and there seems to be a lot of confusion as to what transmissions will swap to and from what year trucks. If anyone has any more info to add, correct or questions to ask, by all means do so. I'm hoping to create a good reference thread for others.

This info pertains to 2nd gen ram trucks:

- Transmissions are interchangeable between the 5.2 and 5.9 gasoline engines.

- 94 and 95 transmissions were hydraulicly controlled and cannot be swapped into 96+ without modifications.

- 96 was a changeover year from hydraulic to electronic. I have seen some early 96 trucks with the hydraulic and later 96 trucks with the electronic. If swapping transmissions verify yours before you buy another one.

- 96 and 97 electronically controlled transmissions are directly interchangeable with each other. They use the paper type filter that is held on with 3 bolts but have the same electronics as the 98-99. The speed sensor for the speedometer is located in the transmission on 2wd and in the transfer case on 4wd. 2wd transmisions can only be swapped between these 2 years. 4wd should be able to be swapped from 96-99 as long as the correct transfer case is used.

-98 and 99 are directly interchangeable with each other. These use the plastic-housed filter held on by 2 bolts.
- These transmissions can be swapped into a 2000-2001 but the torque converter lockup solenoid and governor pressure sensor must be changed. The pressure sensor has a different ohm reading and the pcm will not be happy with the wrong sensor.

-00 and 01 are directly interchangeable with each other and also use the plastic-housed filter. The torque converter lockup solenoid and governor pressure sensor are different than the 96-99 sensors.
- these transmissions can be swapped into 98-99 trucks if the lockup solenoid and governor sensor are changed to the older style.


- The speed sensor location for the speedometer changed in 98. 94-97 4wd trucks have the speed sensor located in the transfer case. 2wd transmissions are in the tail housing. 98-01 trucks get the speedometer signal from the abs sensor located on top of the rear differential.


I'm sure there is information missed here, Please add it if it is. Hopefully this can help somebody down the line.

 

You didn't mention the speed sensor, They changed location from year to year.

 

Thank you, information added.

 

Great info. I'd like to add what I learned.
Although the trannys from the 5.2 & 5.9 motors are the same the 5.9 is an externally balanced motor,the 5.2 is internally balanced. The balance points used on the 5.9 are the harmonic balancer and the torque converter or flex plate depending on the year. You don't want to use a balanced torque converter or flex plate from a 5.9 on a 5.2, or an un-balanced one from 5.2 on a 5.9 for obvious reasons.
I also learned, thanks to club member Hey You that up to 95 the torque converter is what got balanced. 96 up the flex plate got balanced.
So for instance, I'm swapping an 01 from a 5.9 into my 01 with 5.2 so I can use the TC but have to use the flex plate from my truck.
Also the trannys from 15s,25s and 35s as long as there 5.2s or 5.9s are interchangeable.
Angelo.

 

Thank you. Maybe we can make this a sticky?

 

Your very welcome and thanks again for your help.
A sticky would be very helpful to any one in the same boat as I and many have been.
It took a few days to finally get all the answers I needed so i could move forward.
After you clarified things for me I did a web search and found images of a balanced 5.9 and an un-balanced 5.2 flex plate, also saw pics of the balanced/un-balanced TCs for the earlier years.
I got a good deal (I hope) on a used low mileage unit out of an 01 and have got a local shop to put it in for me Monday. By the way those things ain't light. I can't wait to finally drive the truck normally.