I have a 97 318 with 46RE transmission I'd like to put in place of a 95 318 with a 46RH transmission. Will I run into any issues if I bring over the wiring harness and computer from the 97 to the 95? Both trucks are 4 wheel drive, Laramie slt, basically carbon copy trucks, save for being 2 years apart. The only difference I know of is that the transmissions are different in how they're shifted. Thank you in advance for advice.

 

You will need some of the dash wiring as well, for the OBD port. 95 is OBDI, 97 is OBDII. Aside from that, should be pretty straightforward.

Welcome to DF.

 

Thank you, not only for the welcome, but the info. I want to make sure I get this done right, so I can tinker with the 95 for rebuild.

 

Just replace the heads. Don't bother even having them checked. Waste of money. The stock castings were thin from the factory. There are better castings available online, for around 600 for a pair.

 

I would also appreciate some advice on rebuild kits. I'm sure there are many out there, would like a decent one that doesn't break the bank.

 

Depends on what ya want. Are you looking to do 'improvements' for the build? Or, do you just wanna stick with stock?

If you are just going to go stock, you should price out all of your parts, and then compare that to the cost of a long block. (already rebuilt motor.....) see which way is cheaper.

 

On the trans,motor or both?

 

I wouldn't mind upgrading some issues that they had. My main focus is on rebuilding the transmission first. The only reason I parked it was because the transmission went. Lost all motion forward and backward, 4 wheel drive. The engine was still running decent. I don't remember knocks or other noise. My thought was the engine is out, its high mileage, maybe rebuild it then.

 

I might be tempted to use the original transmission and engine accessories from your truck with the new engine. You're very likely going to run into significant additional incompatibilities in the electrical connnections and set ups with what you're trying to do. I have several vehicles with 5.9, 5.2, 46rh, 46re, 44re around and there are even differences in the sensors between 97 and 98 / 99 sensors on the transmission... I can't speak for the engine electronics compatibility, but in my experience the differences in shifting, sensors on and in the transmission and transfer cases, etc... for even a few years difference... I'm sure you could figure it out, but at some point time is worth something and the nickel and diming of little parts and time to dig around at salvage yards adds up (I have much personal experience... ;-)


The RH isn't a difficult transmission to rebuild and if done right, run with a good oil cooler and fluid changed / flushed (NOT back-flushed) regularly, can last a long time... I burned the one in my 95 ram 1500 4wd 5.9 out of ignorance around 80k miles, rebuilt it and added a shift kit, removed the check valve in the line to the cooler, bypassed the factory cooler in the radiator, went with a large plate and shell cooler instead. it's got another 175k miles on it since then without any issues. I regularly tow a boat, pull a car hauler, drive off road in the mountains and run up and down the soft sand nc beaches all on 33-34 inch tires with 3.55 gears...

 

Right now I'm not exactly hurting for a vehicle, my jeep is starting to cost more that it's worth though. Do you think it's better to rebuild my 95 318 and 46RH engine and put it back in vs swapping in the 97 combo? I was going to take the wiring harness and computer and such with the 97 set up and drop it in to give me time to rebuild. I'm not exactly sure what is wrong with my transmission, besides I have no motion in any gear. It may turn out to be a simple problem, but I'm doubting considering the 230k miles on the dash. Thanks for the insight.