I have owned Ford and Chevy conversion van in the past, But never had a Dodge. But yesterday I found a 99 Dodge Ram (low top) conversion van for sale for $6,900.

It's 1999 Ram 1500 109" WB Conversion Van with a 5.2L (318) MPI V8 "MAGNUM" ENGINE, Automatic - 4-SPEED ELECTRONICALLY-CONTROLLED, and 3.55 axle ratio. It has 85k miles on it.

My question is many related to the transmission. How long do these trany last in a van? I've only owned Dodge trucks and cars with the ole 727 Automatic in them. When did they start using this 4 speed Automatic trany? Is there any year of a conversion van I should stay from? Any info or input would be great.

Thanks
Jim

 

The tranny is the 46RE. If the van is setup for towing, inspect the fluid. Do check for an tranny oil cooler too.

This tranny ONLY uses ATF+3 OR ATF+4 fluid. Use no other!

For my use. 2001 Ram B2500 5.2L, 318cid with 3.92 rear and auto 46RE Tranny, I use ATF+3 and Lube-Guard. The Lube Guard is great for towing and is compatiable with only the ATF+3. ATF+4 is synthetic and should work very much the same as the ATF+3 with the Lube Guard.

These engines run hot in the van setup vs. the Ram trucks. Using a 180 termastat is ideal vs the standard 195 stat. Many of the Ram truck guys in the engine fourm rave about it. I tend to poke in that forum often as well.

The 5.2L, 318cid is a very well proven engine. Going to the Magnum version made it even better over the carberated days.

As for the best of the Dodge Ram Vans, anything from 1998 to the present is best! It seems that you have a good find.