My 99 Ram 46re trans is acting up again. It started with a light slip around 40mph. Check fluid and it was at minimum so I brought it up It's started to slip worse so once again it will be parked till I can maybe drop the pan and see if there is anything in there. More out of curiosity. In the past it was clean with no metal flakes or parts. The fluid was clean and no burnt smell. I'm looking at around $2,200 for a rebuild so this means saving up some cash for this. I found some great videos for rebuilding step by step but after looking up parts and some tolls I would have to get doesn't really save enough to make it worth the time and labor to do it yourself. I'm curious if anyone has done their own rebuild? Thanks

 

Several members have rebuilt their own trans, some of them having never been inside a trans before. There is a series of videos on youtube that walks you thru the entire process. Most folks didn't have/need the special tools, their biggest hurdle was the massive spring in the O/D unit. Need a press and the right fixture for that.

 

I actually saved a step by step video on rebuilding the 46re. The O/D spring is under I believe 800lbs of pressure and calls for a press. Harbor freight has a press that should work fine for under $200. Just sucks to be a one man job for me. I may speak with my daughter if maybe her boyfriend would be interested in helping. He is mechanically inclined since he does a lot of his own work to his car. ( This is rare these day's lol) I would need to know everything I will need as well should the torq convertor be replaced? I have a book on rebuilding this transmission as well. I really need to do enough research on this if I am going to do this. Thanks for responding.

 

If you rebuild the trans, replace the torque converter as well. Don't cheap out, and get one of the 80 dollar parts store fellers either. Get a GOOD one. (at least 200.) You can get complete rebuild kits that come with all gaskets/clutches/steels/bearings(?), but, if there are any other parts you need.... you won't know till you have it scattered across your bench.

 

I agree. I would like this to be one time thing. I'm no sure what a transmission shop terms as a rebuild in terms of what's replaced during this process? I'm going to do as much research possible before doing this. My goal is to do this during the summer. I have removed transmissions in my younger day's so I don't see removing and installing it as a problem. I'm thinking of a heavy duty type rebuild so it can pull my boat as well. It's not a real have boat. We're talking a 20ft Mako that weights 1,250 lbs + trailer and motor. I will be asking a lot of questions on this in here and welcome advice and thoughts on what I need to get. Thank you ahead of time for your patience during this time.

 

Typical rebuild is clutches/steels, seals and gaskets. Everything else is only replaced if it has a problem.

 

I did some looking around and there are some decent looking kits. I'm just trying to learn on what would be in my best interest. I don't do a lot of towing but would like it to be able to do it. I went ahead and bought a 6 ton press. I figure by this summer I should have everything I need.
. This video is really good with the step by step

 

I purchased my torque converter from these folks after calling them and expressing my needs for towing/hauling with my newly rebuilt transmission - https://gopnh.com/

I've been very happy with it and it's given me no issues at all. MonteC had high praises for these folk's converters in his transmission sticky thread.

They will want a core torque converter from you, which helps to keep the costs down.

 

I looked and didn't see anything for the 46RE. I typed it in and nothing. Maybe I am doing something wrong?

 

Still looking around for the kit it's self. I know every time the pan was dropped. It was pretty clean and not broken parts were found. I would tend to believe that's a good sign. Being this my first time.
I'm just trying to make the right decisions on parts. My goal is to by next weekend getting my boat moved out and getting the truck back there and prepping it. Since I don't have a slab to work on. I will have to lay down sheets of plywood My plan is to seal them so if not damaged, I can use them somewhere else. My small shop has a my table saw and a big enough table that was built around it to do my rebuild on and line my parts out as they are removed. My goal is to start this build in maybe 3 to 4 weeks from now. If you gentlemen have and suggestions on some good kits. I am welcome to hear. It a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 5.2L motor with the 5.2. It's the 2 wheel drive single cab Laramie SLT. 46RE transmission. 165,000 miles. Thanks so much for your time and advice.