Doing some research, watching youtube videos has me thinking about attempting to rebuild a 46 RE transmission. If one can disassemble and assemble sb and bb mopar engines, a transmission should be within reach, right ?

I bought a 98 Dodge Ram 4x4 that only has first gear.....no reverse, will not shift out of first, and has no engine braking in first.

Can/should a novice attempt this ??

Sure..I have done it...couple 46RE ...46RH..

they are a 727 with an over drive...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta1Wunn2cdc

This video shows the rebuilding of the overdrive section...ignore that it says 904-999 . The overdrive is the same on all of them.

Are you sure it's mechanical issues and not the solenoids?

When doing a 727, for comparison, you need a dial indicator and stand to check the end play on the output shaft, some feeler gauges to check the clutch packs, and some sort of tool to compress the springs in the clutch pack to remove the friction material. I've used vise grip welding clamps, c clamps, and even my hydraulic press. Most tranny builders have a unique tool for the job. Other than that it's standard hand tools.

Could always have a trans shop do just the o/d section for you. The rest is basically old school torqueflite.

You'll need more than that to do the OD unit.

There is one heck of a spring in there that needs compressed to removed the snap rings / reaction plate. Plus you NEED the alignment tool to keep the frictions in place for reassembly.

The tools can be bough reasonably.( bought mine off ebay) Or have a local shop do the OD unit by itself.

The Overdrive requires a special compressor tool, and an alignment shaft in addition to the tools normally needed for a 727.

You have to leave the tool in the overdrive until you are ready to install it, one little oops and it can misalign the components and you have to go back to the press and disassemble and start over. If I can do it anyone can

Guess I got lucky when I did mine I just aligned everything by eye, didn't know you were supposed to have special tools..Did two of them that way due to hitting the transfercase on rocks and breaking the mounting flange off the OD housing..

not to HJ the post but how about a 48RE ive done plenty of 904-999,s and 727,s.but none of them had any selenoids or overdrive.ive got a 04 CTD and would like to freshen up a spare for the inevatable failure everyone keeps talkin about.

I've done the overdrives with a press, feeler gauges and a dial indicator if you want to get fancy. I use the original shaft as a line up tool.
Doug

The factory manual warned me to leave the tool in. I did find that with my specific handling of that said part they were correct during an OD install. I just bumped it too.

One thing I found out over the years is that many and I mean even techs can watch and learn how to disassemble and reassemble transmissions and do it pretty good. But many never did learn just how they work and how to diagnose a problem as in my eyes thats the harder part and what makes a good trans person and thats understanding just how they actually work and it makes it so you can diagnose trans problems without having to follow a book.
But what you want to do I have seen alot of guys do as the 727 is not to hard to learn how to mechanically take apart and put back together. Its nice help if you have a friend or someone with you thats done one before just in case you need a little help. Its always nice to have someone around who has done one at least once before. I agree with some on here that you may want to just have a trans shop go through the O/D unit. I had access to the special tools like the alignment shaft which I did not take out until I was ready to install the O/D unit and the tool and press to compress the large spring for the direct clutches. There is also a few special tools for measuring what size shims go in the overdrive unit as many just use over whats in it and get away with it but if you change any hard parts in the O/D it can change what size shims it needs. Good luck with it and remember there is plenty of people on here who will help you if you have any problems. Thats the nice thing about Moparts and that is that most on here are always willing to help a fellow car person. Ron

right off the bat I would (1) clean the outside case surgically clean and (2) what sixpac said, with it horizontle, measure the input shaft end play with a dial indicator & write that dimention on the inside of the bell with a sharpie for future reference when going back together

You can buy a press for cheap at harbor freight (I got mine for $150) the press tool you can make with some scrap steel (that's what I did) or buy for $80. I used my shaft to line it up. I already have a dial indicator but you can get them for really cheap as well.the money saved getting the tools you need will make up for paying someone else to do it, and then some on the first job. and will help figuring out the mystery of how they work. I bought a good manual and spent a good amount of time rebuilding my 48re but when done it worked perfectly, so if you have successfully rebuilt engines you should have no problems with a transmission.

Are you getting any transmission codes? Are there speed sensors? On my 4L80E, 1993 model, when the rear speed sensor failed, the truck would start out in First, shift into Second and stay there. It did have reverse.

R.

I search ebay for a couple of weeks and was lucky to find someone selling the tools. I have used them a quite a few times so they have paid for themselves given what a trans shop wants to rebuild the 46RE or 46rh.

where did you get your manual?

Could anyone post pics of the most desireable versions of the 46/518 overdrive specialty tools needed?

I found it on ebay, alot of trans parts places sell them also.