Bulletproof 46RE Transmission? (Must Know It)

When it comes to the performance and soundness of automobiles, the vehicle’s transmission system plays a role.

For this reason, we’ve got numerous transmission systems, of which the bulletproof 46RE is among the most prominent.

Knowing everything about a car’s transmission system goes a long way to note the capabilities of such a vehicle.

This article contains all you need to know about the bulletproof 46RE transmission.

The bulletproof 46RE is a four-gear electronic controlled governor pressure transmission model that comes in off-road vehicles. This 46RE transmission has undergone several transition stages to become as reliable and durable as it is today. And over the years, the 46RE has proven to be very efficient with various engines.

Is The 46RE a Good Transmission?

The 46RE transmission has proven to be reliable and durable hence good.

Moreover, compared to other transmission models, the 46RE is much more sound and cost-efficient.

It is for this reason that the 46RE transmission is still used in vehicles today since its advent in the late 90s.

With all the internal changes and upgrades made in the 46RE transmission model, you can bank on increased reliability and durability.

The soundness and performance of this 46RE transmission are something to consider as it comes in different duty versions.

You certainly can be well assured that the 46RE transmission can serve the vehicle’s manufacturer’s intended purpose.

One amazing fact about the 46RE transmission is the allowance for rebuilding or remanufacturing.

You can decide to rebuild or remanufacture an already used 46RE rather than thinking of a complete replacement.

You can do all of this in a bead to minimize the cost of repair as transmission-related problems are a big deal in automobiles.

However, it is needless to say that the 46RE is not exactly perfect and still comes with its cons.

Over the years of use, a good number of complaints have come thus far regarding the performance of the 46RE.

Buzzing noise, Gas slippage, delayed engagements, and gear-related problems are the major complaints from vehicle users.

It is common to hear grating, scraping, or growling noises from the transmission after some time of use.

You may also experience some drags, lock-ups, delays in engagement, and much more.

But for some of these reasons, higher versions with better upgrades, which are the 47RE and 48RE.

How Does a 46RE Transmission Work?

The 46RE runs on an electronic control transmission over the hydraulic control in rear-wheel drive.

It has a four-gear automatic transmission that works by an electronic governor pressure line.

They are available and well designed for different engine types, especially for 2WD and 4WD. 

Since it is an electronic control transmission, several adjustments have been made to accommodate its configuration.

For example, the actuator replaces the throttle valve (TV) cable connected to the throttle body.

Also, you will find a push-in range sensor that replaced the park-in/neutral switch in the bead to enhance performance.

Now, it won’t be very clear to describe exactly how vehicle transmission works due to their complexity in design.

However, as you drive, I will only enlighten you on what happens with the 46RE. All the transmission system parts combine to provide the required gear for the rear wheels.

The electronic governor solenoid is put to work below the valve body assembly whenever the first through the third gear is engaged.

This valve body assembly is mounted on the lower side of the 46RE transmission and helps to provide all the necessary pressure regulation.

So, as you engage the first gear through the third gear, all power transferred to the engine comes from the valve body assembly.

But, for the fourth gear shift, the torque converter clutch with separate solenoid handles that shift.

This torque converter clutch is on the valve body assembly close to the oil pump.

Therefore, for every gear shift, work is done by the different parts of the valve body assembly.

What Vehicles Have a 46RE Transmission?

A long list of vehicle models ranging from trucks, vans, and even Jeeps have the 46RE transmission system.

As mentioned earlier, the 46RE transmission is quite reliable and durable, hence its use in various automobiles.

Chrysler Group survey shows that the 46RE can withstand a little toughness compared to its series used in the Jeep model. 

Ever since the advent of the 46RE transmission in the late 90s, it has been upgraded and used in several other vehicles to date.

Below is a list of automobiles that have a 46RE transmission.

• Dodge vans
• Grand Cherokee 
• Dodge Dakota
• Dodge RAM pick-up trucks over the years.
• Dodge Ramcharger SUV
• Dodge Durango

Now, the above list can go on continually. However, if you want to know if your vehicle has the 46RE transmission, here are some things to look out for.

The car instruction manual is the first place to confirm the vehicle’s transmission.

All cars come with an instruction manual containing everything about that particular vehicle.

Ensure to browse through the manual to get enough knowledge of your ride in case of service information.

Also, you can look for a white card with small black letterings usually placed inside the driver’s side door.

It contains the vehicle’s transmission type, engine specifications, and the like.

In addition, some vehicle models come with stickers that tell the engine type, transmission type, and all that.

How Much Does It Cost to Rebuild a 46RE Transmission?

The cost of rebuilding a 46RE transmission should be around $2000 or more when considering the warranty.

Yes, it can be that expensive, although less expensive from another standpoint.

A 46RE rebuild is even more cost-efficient than a 46RE transmission remanufactured.

You should note that the two repair cases are different, although a remanufacture is the best option.

However, a rebuild isn’t bad as it is the most common repair for faulty transmissions.

Hence, to save cost, you can opt for a rebuild of which a good job, careful use, and maintenance will ensure longevity.

Although, the main cost of rebuilding a 46RE transmission will depend on the degree of repair.

Therefore, a professional will only bill you at the repair shop after scanning the 46RE. Hence, the cost will vary from one case to another.

One good reason why it looks expensive to rebuild the 46RE transmission is primarily due to its complexity.

The 46RE has too many complementary components for its smooth working but certainly increases labor and repair time.

Have you begun to see the reasons for the price range to rebuild the 46RE transmission?

Finally, as a delicate car component, it is only wise to repair it under a professional warranty.

Doing so can return if you discover any fault after repairs.

Therefore, by doing all these balances and checks, it is only fair that the cost of a 46RE rebuild should be that expensive.

Bulletproof 46RE Transmission Kit?

There are several 46RE transmission kits available at most aftermarket stores.

The Monster-In-A-Box transmission rebuild kit is a commonly purchased rebuild kit, particularly for Dodge models.

Within this package comes everything needed to rebuild any 46RE transmission completely.

Another 46RE transmission rebuild kit is the level 4/5 Ramzilla transmission kit, especially for performance upgrades.

So you are likely to find the following:

• A four-set of Alto Red Eagle clutches.
• Kolene steel plus a 7-clutch direct power pack.
• Gear shell
• A good accumulator spring (usually for a firmer shift into the overdrive).

And the list continues. The performance rebuild transmission kit comes with about 20 upgrades.

However, only repair/maintenance shops need such kits for their job description. 

Conclusion

The transmission system of an automobile is one of the most delicate components that ensure proper functionality.

On this note, gathering all the knowledge about your vehicle’s transmission is necessary. Knowing about your car transmission can come in handy one day.