I suspect they are both 46RE transmissions, just the 3 is older than the 8..... which could be a problem, 99 and older transmission electronics aren't compatible with 00 and newer trucks.

 

Thats what I was kinda wondering and worried about, but I wanted to see if there was a way to cross reference the punched numbers on the trannys to make definite decision on taking out the tranny that is in it now.

 

Is it causing a problem? If it is simply a year mis-match, you can change the electronics in the trans, and be done with it.

 

So the guy said he started having issues with the transmission before replacing it. The truck was running fine then had issues moving while in gear (torque converter I believe), until the truck just wouldn't move anymore. So he decided to improperly troubleshoot it (in my opinion) and decided to just do a swap. He placed the bad torque converter into the new doner and installed it thinking it was the transmission and pulled a rookie mistake. He then realized he went through all that hassle just to have the truck not running again, he then decided he wanted to just sell it out of the frustration I suppose. So I got it, towed it home and started to troubleshoot it. There is no codes pulling up with the scan tool, I was able to start it up and drive it 20feet in revers then 20ft back. Next day I decided to try and move it once more went all the way out of my drive way and got into drive and high revs and no go. Felt like nothing is engaging. Just trying to get a feel if it was the torque converter or something else. Did more digging to find if the installed transmission is even correct, so here is my dilemma.

 

also wouldn't the fist number indicate how strong the transmission is also The installed one is 4 and the one in the truck bed is 5

 

Nope. With the designation "46RE", that implies: 4 speed, 6 is the relative 'strength' of the trans, (though, on what scale, I haven't a clue.... for comparisons sake, the 47RE is rated for 450 lbs/ft of input torque..... probably info on this somewhere on the web.) R is rear wheel drive, (or 4x4), and E is electronically controlled.

If he put the torque converter from a smoked trans, into another trans, you get another smoked trans. Rebuild the one sitting in the bed, as you know that's correct for the truck. Install a NEW torque converter. Don't skimp on the converter either. Sure, you can get one for 80 bucks, but, how much do you enjoy rebuilding transmissions? Don't try flushing it and re-using it either. You will just be flushing money down the toilet.

 

 

So the transmission in the bed (orig. 46RE) I turned it over and water and mushy stuff came out, you think its still a possibility to overhaul?

 

Of course. All the parts that can be really damaged by water get replaced anyway. Might be some surface rust on some of the steel parts, but, that'll likely wipe right off.