I've got a 97 Ram and I am looking for a "core" tranny to build and swap with my current one when I do the motor swap this winter. After going to a few of the local salvage yards they are all telling me I have to get a 46RE from a 97 4x4 only. They claim the other 46RE's will not interchange. However, no one can tell me what is specific to the 97 tranny that is different than the other years.

Does anyone know if this is true? My thought is if there really is a difference it must be with the harness? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Don't know about years prior to 97 but in 98 they went to the RWSS for PCM speed/distance calculation. The 97 back used a gear in the tailshaft (old school style). Don't see why a 94-96 wouldn't work.

 

Is it possible to remove the electronic part and replace with a gear? What I think of is what GM did to the 700R4's in the Camaros in the late 80's. Instead of changing the tranny when they went from cable speedo to electronic they designed a sensor that fit in place of the cable sensor on the tail shaft. This allows you to swap the 700R4's from an electronic or cable driven speedo car by only swapping the sensor.

Any thoughts if Dodge did the same thing?

 

Call Dr Steve's Transmissions in Manchester NH. He will have the answers. I just had him rebuild my 97 Ram transmission. He is reliable, quick, reasonably priced. I see you are from NH as I am. I know a number people who have had work done by him. Always the same high quality great price. He really knows his stuff.

 

Is this him:

Dr Steves Transmission Clinic
20 Willow Street
Manchester, NH
(603) 645-1033

What did you have done to yours and what did it run you? I would like to be able to just bring the tranny to someone. There is another guy that works in Manchester in a shop that does them also. He told me if I bring the tranny to him he would do it. There was a list of upgrades that I can not find but he wanted $1000 to do it all.

 

Sorry for slow reply. That is the guy. It was complete tranny rebuild with new torque converter and a new pump for $1600. The parts were over $900. That was drive it in and pick it up.