Alright. I have a 03 ram 1500 shortbed. Automatic. with the 5.7 hemi. It has 167k miles on it and the trans has been slipping lately. Ive been looking at a few at a junkyard from 02+ rams and I honestly dont know what will swap in etc.

I know my chevy's and mopar engines. But i know nothing about the mopar transmissions other then the 727.

What will swap into my 03 with no modifications plug n play? What models and ways to tell apart? I'm going to have this one rebuilt,but moneys tight until November so a junkyard one will have to do.


Will the trans from a 3.7 or 4.7 fit? There is a 04 ram right now that still has the trans, thats wrecked at the junkyard that has either the 3.7 or 4.7. Engines gone but i know its not the 5.7 due to the noticing steering pump left over is totally different. Front ends gone so i cant read labels etc. thanks guys! please put me in the right direction. I love this truck.

 

I do believe you have the 545rfe. 2003 and up RAM gassers used this transmission in all of the automatic models. reference

 

Ahh according to that a trans from a 2001+ grand Cherokee will work? and anything 03+ in dodge rams and durangos will work except for diesels due to the bolt pattern?
All the connectors linkages etc the same?
Any extra clutches in the jeep compared to the trucks etc vice versa?? I know like on the gm 700r4's has more clutches in the truck models then in the car models etc.
On the label on the side of the trans housing,will it say what i have exactly? il look at it tomorrow.

Im just trying to learn everything i can before the swap. I need to get into these things more often.

 

As far as just bolting up, a 45rfe or 545rfe will both work. They're essentially the same, and in some cases, a 45rfe TCM/PCM can be flashed to make it a 545rfe. If you want a replacement that you know will work with your PCM, then you will want any transmission that was a 545rfe from the factory.

 

Dont forget to check Craigslist local to you for maybe a good deal also

 

How can i tell which one is which? Will there be a rpo code on the housing etc or?

 

The model# is on the sticker and is stamped into the casing right below the connector from the tcm.

Either the 45rfe or 545rfe should work as the difference is not in the tranny, rather the tcm which is on the firewall (5th gear is not programmed in the 45rfe). At one point the solenoid pack was modified and the connector changed from black to white. Either should work with your truck.

 

I'm pretty sure It's a 5-45-RFE, But if you want to be sure count the times it shifts . A 45-rfe is a 4 speed. The 5- in front of the 5-45-rfe-means 5 speed...

 

The units are identical, the difference is in the programming.
The 5th gear IS in the 45rfe, it is just not active. A flash of the tcm can turn a 45rfe into a 5 speed (545rfe).