not looking to upgrade my existing trans, but if it grenades is am asking if there is a 5 or 6 speed trans to retro fit my existing one.

So is it a 46RE that comes in the 2002 Ram 1500 4X4 w/5.9L. V-8?

 

Yeah the v8s get the 46RE, older V10 and diesels get the 47, and newer 5.9 diesels and v10s the 48.

There isn't anything that would be cheap or easy to swap in, but you could get a much more stout aftermarket rebuilt unit for a couple grand. The guys around here talk about the 'mega viper' all the time.