2001 Dodge Ram Transmission Rebuild?

My nephew has a Dodge Ram 1500, 318 V8 with an Automatic transmission. He's the original owner and the truck has 113k miles on it.

He called today and said that his transmission has been slipping. His mechanic says that the transmission is "on it's way out".

I know nothing about these transmissions, though I do know that some automatics are relatively easy to rebuild. Is this one of them? Does it need to be removed or can it be rebuilt in place?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Rebuild? Easy? Sure, if you've got a few years of training and a couple thousand dollars worth of special equipment.

Have the bands ever been adjusted? They still have them. If its slipping bad enough to notice, its probably toast.

Streetwiseguy wrote: Rebuild? Easy? Sure, if you've got a few years of training and a couple thousand dollars worth of special equipment.

Whoa, sounds like somebody wandered into the wrong forum.

Woody wrote:

Streetwiseguy wrote: Rebuild? Easy? Sure, if you've got a few years of training and a couple thousand dollars worth of special equipment.

Whoa, sounds like somebody wandered into the wrong forum.

Well, then, let me expand. If your question had been, "Can I rebuild a turbo 350 in my challenge car that I need fixed, and I don't mind taking it out of the vehicle 6 or 8 times until I actually get it right."

How happy is your nephew going to be spending the next six months in a rental while the two of you figure out how to fix his DD?

First thing I'd do is a filter change, and make sure to use the correct trans fluid. No Dextron Mercon !! ATF+4 or 7176 will work. I can't tell you how many times I have stopped people from putting the wrong fluid in a Mopar trans.

And +1 on adjusting the bands.

Whoa, sounds like somebody wandered into the wrong forum.

Uhh... as an A.S.E. Master Certified tech who has worked as a transmission builder, it sounds to me like he wandered into REALITY.

It is NOT simple or easy to rebuild those transmissions. Compared to some OTHER transmissions, it may be, but that does NOT make it something that joe blow should attempt.

And here it is: If you have to ask, you ARE joe blow (when it comes to transmissions, at least).

Let me put it to you this way. My fiancee's younger brother has a 94 ram that the tranny took a dump on, and im semi-obligated to fix it because 'i can' and i happen to be his sister's fiancee. I am NOT looking forward to it, and i used to do it for a living. The thought of saving a buddy $500-$1000 dollars is not motivating me much.

Also, what has already been said is true: if an untrained driver can feel it slipping, its too far gone. Dont waste your time or money on patch jobs trying to eek out another 1000 miles living in fear of imminent failure.

Bad transmission in a Chrysler product. Whod-a-thunk-it?

How about the gas cap trick?

knock on wood i bought my '95 dodge 318ci w/ an automagic at 105k...1st thing we did to it was a new filter, tranny cooler, and amsoil...at a 129k it is still holding together.....

My favorite shop does not even think about rebuilding trannys. They go right for a shop rebuilt unit. Claim much faster and cheaper. I know you can find them on e-bay, but have heard horror stories about those. Anybody know of a reputable mail order source for these?

I had my RX300 trans rebuild by Trans Specialties ( autotransparts.com ). Their price and turn time was way better than anything local. I couldn't be happier. They were also the only place I found that would warranty a DIY install.

Not affiliated, etc...

If you think a 604 is hard, dont mess with a 518. a 604 is practically one self contained drum with a bunch of clutch packs in it, nice and easy.

But, if you dont know how to do a quick learn, dont know how to change the cooler valve in the case, dont find a clogged cooler in 3 or 4 comebacks, reuse the converter every time etc, yes, it will fail over and over.

I do agree that the DIY type of person should jump in and try it sometime... but NOT on someone's/anyone's DAILY DRIVER that they NEED, and NOT if you are doing it thinking it will save you time and money on the first try. If you want to get into DIY trans rebuilds, i suggest starting with a c4

Oh and tell whoever tries the ram by themselves, if they are having trouble getting the crossmember out, stop and think for a minute, because they're doing it wrong.

Vigo wrote: If you think a 604 is hard, dont mess with a 518. a 604 is practically one self contained drum with a bunch of clutch packs in it, nice and easy. But, if you dont know how to do a quick learn, dont know how to change the cooler valve in the case, dont find a clogged cooler in 3 or 4 comebacks, reuse the converter every time etc, yes, it will fail over and over. I do agree that the DIY type of person should jump in and try it sometime... but NOT on someone's/anyone's DAILY DRIVER that they NEED, and NOT if you are doing it thinking it will save you time and money on the first try. If you want to get into DIY trans rebuilds, i suggest starting with a c4 Oh and tell whoever tries the ram by themselves, if they are having trouble getting the crossmember out, stop and think for a minute, because they're doing it wrong.

Is the RAM the one where a porto-power comes in REAL handy?

racinginc215 wrote: And hey if your going to try it and someone else is up for letting you screw it up go for it

This how I learned most of what know about cars.

Is the RAM the one where a porto-power comes in REAL handy?

That's what a lot of guys do. I never needed one. Just some taps from a 3lb sledge going in the direction that actually makes sense, instead of straight down.