Is there a way to determine which transmission my 2006 Dakota ST has? Its the 4.7 V8 with an auto tranny. I need to replace the tranny filter, and fluid but i could not find an identifier on the truck or the transmission. There is a white sticker on the drivers side of the transmission but its covered in a dried up oil/mud layer of dirt and i cant read it. I tried cleaning it off but it just made it even harder to read. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

Since you have the V8 you have the 545rfe transmission. Which is a 5 speed. IF you had the V6 you would have the 42

 

+1. The 545RFE is behind the Hemi and the 4.7L V8 engines in the Rams and Dakotas, as well as the Durangos and, I believe, the Jeeps. Pretty much almost anything that uses the "truck" version of the Hemi, or the 4.7.

Be happy. I am. These transmissions are known to be much more reliable than the old 46RE and 42RE (not to be confused with the newer 42LE), which could last 150,000+ miles or may blow up at less than 50,000 miles. They were very unpredictable. The 2001 Ram I traded in for my current Dakota had a large, gas guzzling 5.9L V8 that had a 46RE behind it, and its transmission was starting to act a little funny at less than 80,000 miles.

 

There are 2 filters in the transmission, 1 screw in, like a small oil filter and the flat screen filter. The flat filter comes with a replacement seal and if you decide to change this, it's much like any other "rip out the old & tap in the new" seal. When you put this filter on, don't push the neck into the seal all the way, it goes in at a slight angle and if you push it all the way in, it won't sit flat against the transmission & the hold-down screw won't line up with the hole - if you pull it over, you're likely to bend the filter or break the neck. Most filter kits come with a rubber gasket that you can use if you don't want to use ATV. Using the rubber gasket is more work because you need to clean off all the old ATV which really sticks to the pan, but the up-side of this is that you can use the truck right away whereas with ATV, you may get a better "stick", but you need to let it set properly before adding the fluid and using the truck. If you use the rubber gasket, don't forget to retorque the bolts after a period of use.

The gasket kit I got indicated that there were 2 styles of filters for this transmission, so it will be important to let the distributor know whether you have a 2 or 4 wheel drive - the transmission pan is different.

 

Wow, thanks guys! Thats some good information that will help me when i order and replace my filter in the next week or two. I appreciate it!

 

It aint that hard of a job to do. The hardest part is the bolts under the cross member, the rear ones if i remember right. If you have any way of lifting the truck, it might be a good idea. Be sure to have a big pan to catch the oil in. ITs a bit messy. If you can, try and install a drain plug. I wished that the torque convertor had a drain plug for it.

 

Where are you guys buying the transmission maintenance kits?

 

I got mine at O'Reilly's.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...3230&ppt=C0023
and
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...3230&ppt=C0023

 

Thanks!

 

Here is a helpful picture of the two filters for reference.

IMAG0305.jpg