46RE Transmission

[ARBXJ]

I have a 1998 5.9 l with a tranny problem. I will be able to give you some details in the next week once diagnosed. In the mean time I want to do some leg work and thought I should ask the forum, who do you recommend and trust in the Calgary area to service,  overhaul or rebuild a 46re and, if required, will honour their warranty? Said another way, who do you stay away from when getting work done? Any other thoughts along this line are appreciated. Thx in advance, ARBXJ

[cLAY]

I got your pm but I will reply here.

The 5.9 ZJ uses the 46re tranny the 5.2 uses the 42re. I wonder if someone swapped in a 42re? The ZJ 46re is similar to  dodge pickups 46re with one important difference, the case is different as the starter is on the opposite side. This makes finding a 46re for a ZJ pretty difficult as only the 5.9ers used them.

My tranny is still stock and holding up well. I've got some mods into the motor but am not running a lot of extra HP. Nor do I tow with it or run big tires.

Unless you want to run big HP I would have yours rebuilt  by a reputable shop. Tell them you want it beefed up and see what they recommend. My sister had the 46re rebuilt in her truck and she asked for a shift kit to be put it as she tows heavy with it. The shop said they could do the same thing just by adjusting the bands and pressure. It shifts much firmer now, tows better and all round feels better.

Sorry but I don't have any personal experience with any transmission shops in Calgary.

[ARBXJ]

Thx for your comments Clay, I am learning as I go, maybe a benefit to others as well.

[cLAY]

Have you visited
Www.thespeedfreaks.net?

[ARBXJ]

Yes Clay,  I have visited that site, very informative. That's where I got Martin Saines name and found that you may have run across him but wasn't sure. Seems like a a couple of things stand out. One is that in OD under load the transmission does not get enuf fluid and can do some damage. Some of the guys use a Transgo kit for heavy use but that isn't me. Others use Borg Warner replacement parts for solenoid, valve block and governor sensors et al which are bigger than OEM. I am not sure if that shifts the bottleneck to another part of the tranny. They also replace plastic with metal where possible since over a dozen components are plastic and they test under load as opposed to throwing back in the jeep to see what happens. I just want a good solid tranny that I don't worry about once it is back in the jeep. Still to confirm but I believe he threw a 46re replacement in that was miled out so expect it is a rebuild and hope to have some idea next week on damage. There are a few places in town with good reputations and I want to rebuild as opposed to part out as the engine runs fine and body good except for the cracked bumpers, no accidents just wasn't being used. will keep u posted. As I say, using the forum as a learning tool for me.  thx

[ARBXJ]

The other thing I normally do is look up the recalls and tsms for particular vehicles or parts thereof, I think there is only one for the 5.9er 46re but if u go out to 2003 in the Dodges there are several on the 46re which tells me that they have worked most of the bugs out and the rebuilds have the updates replaced and therefore a better tranny than the original. Of course everything is relative and money is always an issue when making choices on what to do to your ride.

[ARBXJ]

www.levelten.com has an interesting article referencing the 46re and a rebuild, scroll down (3 pages) for any hard core guys and newbies like me in the forum.

[ARBXJ]

Anyone use a B&M (or other brand) deep tranny pan for the 5.9 46re? What has been your experience if u r running one?

[cLAY]

I ran a Magtec-Hytech pan on my diesel truck for extra cooling.  Worked fine, greatly increased the fluid capacity.

I wouldn't bother on a Jeep unless you plan to tow heavy and often with it. It would reduce ground clearance, something to consider if wheeling it.

5.9s didn't come with an external tranny cooler so I would add one if I were you.

My mom has a bone stock 5.9 that has 320,00kms on it, she bought it with just under 200,000kms. In the time she has had it she's never done anything to the tranny, not even changed the oil and its still drives like when she got it.

My 5.9 I bought with a bad motor almost 4 years ago. I replaced the motor and added an aftermarket cam, intake manifold and CAI. The tranny is still stock and hasn't ever made even a hiccup.  My suggestion is to get yours rebuilt buy a reputable shop and ask them about a shift kit or something equivalent and add a good cooler.

Unless you plan to add BIG HP you don't need to go nuts on the tranny. Save that money for something else.

[ARBXJ]

Travelled north today and grabbed some stuff off a cracked up 5.9 including a 46re tranny. Plan to have that one rebuilt and will take your advise on the cooler. Not any plans to go big or go home. Thx for sharing your 5.9er experiences, Clay. Am very happy having one in the family.

[cLAY]

What's your plan? Build it up or just a DD?

[ARBXJ]

Funny u asked Clay because I been giving it some thought.  My uncle and I went to Leduc yesterday and brought back a 46re tranny and a bunch more parts that have seen very limited use on the 5.9er  that was cracked up. I want to use it primarily as a DD and a small lift is likely in the works. Have OME lifts on an xj and a zj and like them a lot. When I was younger, would have really enjoyed the offroading.  Now I am at that age where I want a good ride and not be tired after riding in the jeep for several hours means a lot. I have three 5.9ers and want each of them to be a little different but don't see the need to really add extra power to a beast.  Am interested in your expedition idea because I have thought about that, when I lived in Houston 5 years (as my youngest son says back in the 19 hundreds).  I had the good fortune to see a lot of country. I would like to see a lot more country still and cant think of a better way than an expedition trek with a jeep. Will be thinking it over the coming winter and may get with you sometime to discuss further if you have a mind to. ARBXJ