Transmission Advice

[mbacfp]

Hello All,

I recently purchased a used 2003 Dodge Durango RT 4x4 (88,400 miles) for purposes of towing behind my motorhome. The transmission can be put into neutral to be towed on all 4 tires.

The transmission fluid was changed before I bought it (per the car fax)...is there anything special above and beyond maintenance wise on the transmission going forward since I am going to be towing it?

Does towing add extra wear and tear on transmission? Should I use synthetic along with changing it more often?

Thanks for the advice.

 

[jhellwig]

You do not want to tow it by putting the transmission in neutral. You have to put the transfer case in neutral and that only works if the pump is driven from the output shaft. Most transfer cases are that way but you need to be sure first. Towing with the transmission in neutral will disttoy the transmission unless you want to leave the motor running so that it is lubricated.

 

[UNC017]

Originally Posted By: mbacfp
Hello All,

I recently purchased a used 2003 Dodge Durango RT 4x4 (88,400 miles) for purposes of towing behind my motorhome. The transmission can be put into neutral to be towed on all 4 tires.

The transmission fluid was changed before I bought it (per the car fax)...is there anything special above and beyond maintenance wise on the transmission going forward since I am going to be towing it?

Does towing add extra wear and tear on transmission? Should I use synthetic along with changing it more often?

Thanks for the advice.


you want the TRANSFER CASE in neutral!! That prevents the transmission output shaft from spinning and dragging the disengaged clutch packs without any fluid flow.

As for other things to do to bulletproof that transmission, the #1 thing is to delete the anti-drainback valve in the oil cooler line at the cooler line feed going into the radiator. It tends to stick and/or restrict flow and overheat the transmission. Without it, the transmission will do the thing Chrysler 727 transmissions did with absolutely no harm for 30+ years: be lazy going into gear first thing in the morning unless you start the vehicle in neutral.

You will have to fabricate a short section of tubing and a fitting, but its well worth it. Google the Ram and Durango forums for "transmission cooler anti-drainback valve" for a bazillion threads on getting rid of it.

Picture of the offending check valve:

 

[mbacfp]

Thanks guys. Great stuff. Yes, I made a mistake. The transfer case can be put in neutral. The manual doesn't say anything about additional tips, etc. Will look into to removing that for sure. First Dodge I have owned. Thanks to all for your advise.

Best,

Tim

 

[mbacfp]

It looks like my transmission is a 46RE. Other than the anti-drainback valve being removed...anything else I should be concerned with? Truck drives great so far.

Thanks,

Tim

 

[UNC017]

46RE is the last of the truck transmissions based on an A727 (first three gears) with an overdrive in the tailshaft. The "E" instead of an "H" means that the hydraulic governor was replaced with an output speed sensor to the computer, which then performs the governor function by controlling a variable duty-cycle solenoid in the valve body. The rest of the shifting is hydraulic, so its really a hybrid hydraulic/electronic trans.

Its got a bit of a bad rep, but most of its issues really come from overheating and most of those come from that check valve. Don't ignore codes thrown by that output speed sensor either, as continuing to drive with a bad speed sensor can damage things by, for example, letting the governor pressure run low for the actual conditions which lets the clutches slip and burn up. While there are examples that have problems, there are others that run trouble-free for 200,000 or more miles. My folks had a 2000 non-R/T 5.9 Durango that outlived them both, and its still going with the second owner at over 200k and not much care.

Keep an eye on front balljoints in that era Durango/Dakota also. But overall, its a pretty simple, bare-knuckles kinda vehicle that can serve very well. The Magnum 5.9 engine is as solid as they come.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Transmission in park, transfer case in neutral.

Even with the transfer case in park, it could still drive the tailshaft of the transmission unless it is in park

 

[mbacfp]

Thanks so much. Really, really appreciate the advice and info. I actually love the truck...looking forward to it running a very long time. Take care all.

 

[UNC017]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
Transmission in park, transfer case in neutral.

Even with the transfer case in park neutral, it could still drive the tailshaft of the transmission unless it the transmission is in park


Edited for what I think you meant plus clarity... ;-)

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Yes! Too many levers and doo-hickeys next to each other.