I need to rebuild my tranny. 2001 Ram 1500 5.9L engine automatic. First, I don't know what tranny I have, I can't find the data plate. Does anyone here know what it would be?
I'm looking to rebuild it so that it won't break again. I bought a full size truck, I expect it to be able to tow. I don't use a truck to cruise around town. What is out there that I can use to build a tranny that won't keep breaking on me? I can rebuild it myself so a kit form or I might just buy an already build tranny. What are my options?
I know about http://www.apsprecision.com/ already, anything else?

 

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/dodge.htm

There are so many options there that I can't figure out what to do.

 

Check shops local to you. Wayne at APS is a great source but you already know of it. I wouldn't suggest rebuilding your own unless you have some experience with it but that is entirely up to you. You can find rebuild kits for your tranny on ebay or use those as a reference point to find others by calling around. Your truck should have a 46re for that year. Do a search here or go to DTO site and search there and you will find a ton of information.

 

Thanks.

I've rebuilt trannies before. Never Dodge, just Ford, Chevy and some imports. I've also done a performance build on a Ford AOD for drag racing so unless the dodge has some peculiarities or takes many special tools, I should be able to do it.

I've done some searching but transmission issues in general here are so numerous I could spend a week straight searching through everything. What is the DTO site? I think I figured out the Dodge Truck part.

 

Don't let transmissions fool you. There are some excellent books on how to rebuild a transmission out there. The key to rebuilding a transmission is to have a clean workspace and oil EVERY moving part. Transmission shops have the general public absolutely scared ****less about transmissions. When I was going to rebuild in 1989 S10 Blazer, with the 700R4 transmission, I was quoted anywhere from $1500 - $2800 to have it rebuilt. That's just plain nuts. Plus, transmission shops are loathe to guarantee their work for more than 30 days. If you can afford to have your vehicle down for a few days and want to learn the ins-and-outs of your vehicle, I say "go for it". Hell, I used to be intimidated by fuel injection and now I swear by it. I've also dug into the FI system of my Dodge and am going to R&R the fuel pump assy and clean my injectors.

 

Don't get me wrong...I am not telling him not to do his own rebuild. Some people aren't big on doing their own work and can't be without there vehicle for the time it takes and if something goes wrong. I am one who would also rather do it myself before I have someone else do it but I have also done more harm than good in the past. Sucks to turn an easy fix into a really hard and expensive fix by screwing it up.

DTO is dodgetrucks.org and is another good reference site. I actually found that one prior to this site and it has a lot of good info on it.

I almost bought the book on ebay for rebuilding the dodge 46rh/re transmission. I am swapping out my TC in a couple of weeks and would do it myself if the tranny went south.

 

I can respect that and understand your caveats. I recommend that the experienced wrench monkey dig into a transmission.

 

I need to rebuild my 46re too. I was wondering about special tools. Does any one know what kind of tools are needed other than the norm?

 

I had PATC (link was above)build one with what I wanted in it, had all oil mods done, had them use billet servo's, Brass impregnated carbon fiber bands, different valve body,HD torque converter, shift kit,the list was kinda endless with what I wanted. The problem with APS and couple of others is that, converter is extra, shipping your core back is extra, this is extra that is extra. PATC didnt require a core back, which gave me a option of rebuilding it myself for future use, and the cheap shipping. I am very happy with what they built, really woke the truck up, you never know what kinda power you have until you get rid of the weak components.

All said and done, 2600.00 I believe, which is damn good IMO.

 

the fastman also offers a good deal on transmissions