A 46RE in a half-ton Ram, Durango or Dakota commonly lasts 150,000 miles or more with regular fluid and filter changes and correct band adjustment. It is the lighter-duty member of Chrysler’s TorqueFlite four-speed family, built for gas V8 trucks and SUVs, and it is generally considered a durable transmission in that role. Heavy towing, overheating and neglected service are what shorten its life.
Is the 46RE a good transmission?
Yes, for the vehicles it was designed for. It is a proven, simple design with readily available parts. Its limits show when it is asked to do heavy-duty work, such as towing near the truck’s maximum often or handling large power increases; that is the job of the heavier-duty 47RE. See 46RE vs 47RE.
Weak points that decide its life
- Overheating when towing without an auxiliary cooler.
- Band adjustment neglected over time.
- Overdrive clutch wear from heat and load.
- Solenoid and governor pressure faults that upset shifting.
How to make a 46RE last
- Change the fluid and filter on schedule with the specified ATF.
- Adjust the bands as the service manual specifies.
- Add a cooler if you tow; see transmission coolers.
Signs it is wearing out
- Slipping or flaring between gears; see transmission slipping.
- Delayed engagement into drive or reverse; see delayed engagement.
- Shudder at steady speeds from the converter clutch; see torque converter shudder.
- Dark, burnt fluid or debris in the pan.
- A check engine light with transmission codes; use a scan tool that reads the transmission module.
Checking a used truck with a 46RE
Look at the fluid color and smell, ask about towing, and check for leaks at the pan and cooler lines. On a test drive the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts should be firm but smooth, overdrive should engage at cruising speed, and reverse should engage without a long delay. A slip into overdrive or a flare under throttle points to worn clutches or bands that need adjustment.
How much power can a 46RE handle?
A stock 46RE is matched to the gas engines it came with. Large power gains call for a built unit with stronger clutches and a matched converter; a stock unit pushed hard will slip and overheat.
Replacement units we list
- RoadReady Dodge 46RE: $2,599.00
Each includes a torque converter. See 46RE transmissions and how long a rebuilt transmission lasts. Send us your VIN and we will confirm the right unit before you order.
More guides: how long a 47RE lasts.
Shipping is a flat $80.00 per order to US addresses, with 15-day free returns. Questions? Ask a parts specialist.