Hello, I would really appreciate any advice I can get. I've begun this journey of DIY mechanics after buying my first vehicle, a 2001 dodge ram 1500 4x2. The truck model I got is the 5.9 equipped with 46re transmission. Essentially I need advice on whether or not I should rebuild it myself or simply buy a remanufactured from somewhere like autozone? My truck still drives, but I feel a jolt when I go from 2nd to 3rd gear, and it also popped up with the p1740 code, so i dropped the tranny pan and found metal slush, what i presume is a snap ring, and couple other parts found in the photo. I'm very new to working on vehicles on my own, so I have no experience with rebuilding transmission or engines. I've learned from youtube how to do the brakes, heater core, oil change, etc. My concern is on how difficult it would be for a novice to rebuild the transmission, I have limited money currently and don't want to take it apart and put it back together and find out I did it wrong. Any advice would really be appreciated, thank you.

 

Also I bought this truck from a guy who had previously had the transmission rebuilt I think around 130k miles, I bought the truck and 200k miles and currently it's at 210k.

 

If you have the tools, time, patience and a place to do the job, by all means, do the job yourself, unless you know a good transmission rebuilder/shop that can do the job for you and stand behind the rebuild. By building it yourself, you get to beef up the transmission with better parts to make it last (see MonteC's Transmission Corner on this site for helpful rebuild information). There are also plenty of YouTube resources and books on how to properly rebuild the 46RE.

 

I’m a self taught mechanic and I rebuild engines and such myself, I run a garage and I do anything from lawn mowers, to motorcycles to cars and trucks, if it has an engine I’ll do it…..the way I learned is by just doing it……I’ve never rebuilt a Diesel engine but today (go figure) I have an 03 Cummins that broke a piston ring and I’m redoing it all as that’s what the customer wants. The way I see it it’s all just nuts and bolts and fasteners.

I will say to rebuild the 46re you will need a press, so keep that in mind. But anything is achievable if you just pay attention and do it.

 

Examine the case and see if you have any damage to it. If so you will need a new case. From the pic it looks like a spring band anchor and cant make out the other parts. You will need a press to get the clip out of the OD unit. It's under a lot of spring pressure.

 

Here is the first video on doing a rebuild on the 46RE. Its a few videos but he explains from beginning to the end and is very clear and helpful. Yes, you need a press to do the overdrive unit and something else I believe but he shows you how to build a stand for assembly as well. Let us know how it was if you choose to. Good Luck Sir'

 

Thank you for your input, very much appreciate. One question I have is when you say examine the case, what are the kinds of things I'm looking for to know if the case is no good? Is it something you'd typically just recognize when you open it up and look? Thanks

 

Just want to say thank you to everyone for the replies I really appreciate it!