My 97 1500 4x4/360 has 180000 on it with no tranny issues yet.

 

i got a 99 ram sport, i do use it as a truck, but i've always maintained my truck, i change fluid, and keep my tranny cool, with that done i've had no problems as of yet *knocks on wood*

 

Dodge trannies are not better or worse than any other tranny out there. They all have their pro's and cons'. Just make sure it shifts properly, they should be crisp and firm but not harsh. Also, after you take it for a test drive check the tranny fluid. It should be a clean-looking red. What usually happens with our trucks is the tranny's fail due to lack of maintance, such as band adjustments every so often as well as fluid exchanges. See if you can find information if any of this has been performed in the past. As long as its been kept up the tranny in that dodge should be no different than any other truck out there. Mines been good, i had a torque converter fail on me, but it was partially my fault. My dad had a 1997 dodge ram and the tranny didnt fail until 145,000 miles or so. Its all on how you drive and maintain.

 

Well i bought my truck 1997 ram 1500 4x4 5.2L, it came with a 5.5' lift with 35's it only had 52K miles on it. What i didnt know was that it had been bought and the lift and tiers had been put on it since it had 300 miles and had been keept at the dudes ranch used for toeing, mudding, clumbing and it dosent have overhaul. SOOO my tranny went out at 60k Miles, and had a rebuilt one put in. at 73K right now and if i dont keep a eye on the trans fluid i meen like check it every 2 weeks or so it will start slipin b/c it gets low. The truck has stock gears so it makes it eat tranfy fluid and oiler faster, not at like OMG rates but i newed to check it liek very 4-6 weeks and it will be at the add more and i only fill it 1/2 the way over ok.

 

My 2 cents on the subject:

By the end of the 1970s the 727 auto was a reliable transmission that could handle high torque loads.

The 518 redesign of the 727 was ok except for the very first year.

The 46RH was unfortunately fitted with inferior seals from 1993-1995, but improved D-ring seals became available in late 1996 and should be used in rebuilds.

The 727/518/46RH used an 'all hydraulic controls' valvebody, with the 518/46RH getting a single action electric solenoid for engaging overdrive top gear.

The model year 1996 46RE electronic redesign of the valvebody control circuits was flawed. In the 46RE the PCM computer can partially control the pressure of the ATF inside the transmission through the VFS solenoid added to the valvebody. Dodge engineers set this line pressure too low during certain types of driving for good long term reliability. This was mostly corrected by the model year 1999.

Chrysler should have issued 'customer satisfaction recalls' voluntarily for the seals inside the 1992-1995 46RH and for the software controlling the VFS in the 1996-1999 46RE. Chrysler should also have extended the warranty period for these flaws. While this would have cost money up front, it would have paid for itself in increased Ram pickup sales and at least partially avoided the wide spread (and true) belief that Dodge pickup transmissions are the least dependable part of the truck.