i have a 95 ram 4x4 1500 5.9 auto. The tranny i completely junk. (No reverse, OD, or 3rd and leaks everywhere.) Is it possible to swap an older tranny out of a first gen ram into my truck? I'm not afraid to have to hack some wires or and I don't care if the speedo wouldn't work or would be off. I want to know if it will bolt up to the motor and transfer case fine and work with my torque conv or if I need a different one. I'm low on money right now and I don't have the money to sink into a new trans if I don't have to. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

What year are you looking to get a transmission from? A few years used the same transmission that you have in your truck. (92 & 93 I believe)

I'm not sure that it would bolt up to the transfer case though. The first gen Rams used NP203/205 transfer cases, while the 2nd gens use NP231s. The input shaft on the transfer case would most likely be wrong as well, and is NOT easy to change. [:'(]

Couldn't you just find a 46RH out of a wrecked 94/95/96/97 Ram? Why would it have to be out of a 1st gen? [>:]

 

It doesn't have to be out of a first gen, they are just a lot cheaper. Everywhere around here wants around $1000 or more for a used tranny for 2nd gens w/ over 100k. I'm not too willing to pay that outrageous price for something that has no guarantees, if ya know what I mean. I do possibly have access to a 98 trans. Could i get it to work? how different is it from the 94-97s?

 

I think 98 and up used the RE's but may still bolt up, better change then the 1st gen atleast.

 

The following is my best guess, but check with a local Mopar transmission specialist if possible.

A Chrysler 518 automatic is essentially the same as a 46RH
so approximately 1989-1993 automatics labelled 518
and 1994-1995 automatics lablelled 46RH should be swappable into a 1995.

From 1990 to 1995 the D-ring hydraulic seals in the automatic are not durable.
Considering the time, $ and trouble with the repair I would not personally swap in a junkyard 518/46R? automatic into a truck without having it rebuilt with the better internal parts, including the better D-ring seals. Red Band clutches and bands are desireable too.

Years 1996+ automatics labelled 46RE won't work unless you are able to swap back to the earlier year valvebody. With the 46RE the computer began controlling the line pressures and the valve body guts are different.

 

Exactly. The 46RE was a computer controlled transmission. I'm not sure if the valve body would be the only change needed to make it work, but it's definitely one of them. [>:]

 

I found out some info from a mechanic who works on nothing but dodges. He said that 90-95 will work (possibly 89) in my truck. On the earlier 90s trannys, he said that the bellhousing needs to be notched out for the crank sensor. 96 and up, the OD is completely different according to him. Just thought I would post this for future reference for all.