So I've been having an issue with the truck, 1996 Ram 1500, 2 door 4x4 5.9L 360 I believe its a 46RE transmission. So the issue is when I'm driving and the truck hits OD I get a real bad shake 45-50mph(only between those speeds). If I turn OD off on the button there is no shake at all. At first I thought is was my tires we chopped up but now I believe it is my converter when it locks. Anybody have/had the same experience? Any ideas what it could be or what it is? And any tests that I could do to help narrow down what it could be without shelling out a bunch of money. Thank You.

 

Cap rotor plugs and wires in good shape? Plenum gasket relapsed? Any codes?

 

That's an engine misfire. Way to familiar with that. Just one or two cylinders misfiring can feel like the truck is trying to shake itself apart.

 

Tune up has been done on it

 

I have done a fresh tune up, I have a bad O2 sensor code and haven't looked at the plenum gasket. Would that really cause the truck to act like the wheels falling off, and only do that when OD is on? To me it feels like when the converter locks is when it shakes and once I'm above 50 its smooth sailing.

 

What brand plugs? If they are anything but copper that's your issue

 

I'm assuming you have a '96 truck. Autozone and other parts stores will check your computer for codes. You can even check it yourself with the key dance. Just because the CEL isn't lit doesn't mean there isn't a code The dance is when you don't try to start the engine. Turn the key on, off, on, off and leave it on the third time. If you don't go to the start position, just the run position, the computer goes into self test mode. On 1996 and later Chrysler Corp. vehicle, any codes will read out on the odometer. Like others have said, a misfire can cause all sorts of havoc.

 

I think up to 98, they still had the mechanical odometer, so, need to count the flashes of the check engine lite.

 

Severe misfires normally set a CEL or even a blinking CEL, and the problem only happens in 4th/overdrive and not in other gears so I'm not convinced that's the root cause. The torque converter clutch is not only used in overdrive but also in 3rd/direct drive if "overdrive off" is selected so that seems a long shot too. I've avoided working on auto transmissions all my life but from what I know overdrive is activated with a hydraulic clutch. If the problem occurs just when shifting into OD that clutch and solenoid might be suspect.

 

I am going from direct experience. I had two plug wires on wrong, and as soon as the truck shifted into O/D, it thought I was driving thru california when the san andreas finally let go again. It was BAD.