1st Gen. Ram - All Topics Discussion for all Dodge Rams prior to 1994. This includes engine, drivetrain and non-drivetrain discussions. Anything prior to 1994 should go in here.

Replacing the 518 trans with a 47RE

Old Aug 15, 2005 | 09:41 AM
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Replacing the 518 trans with a 47RE

What will I need to accomplish this swap into a 92 2wd, 250?
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Old Aug 15, 2005 | 09:49 AM
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you'll need the adaptor plate and starter from whatever the 47re came out of. Some sort of switch to lock in the torque converter. Maybe a shorter/longer driveshaft.

Shouldn't need too much really.
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Old Aug 15, 2005 | 10:06 AM
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Sounds like a plan. Thanks for your help!
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Old Aug 16, 2005 | 01:38 PM
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47RE has some more electronics in it than the 47RH (which is what I swapped in) The 47RH has 2 selinoids, 1 for o/d and 1 for lockup.

apwatson50 is right, your need the bellhousing adaptor, starter, and a switch of somesort. You might also want to ditch the orginal flexplate and use the one from a 2nd gen.(I cracked mine pretty good) Be aware that the newer starter has a different orientation and it comes really close to the frame, it does touch on mine sometimes.

My club cab did not need the drive shaft shortened, I'm not sure about your truck. I did have to modify the trans mount on the cross member to account for the extra thickness on the adaptor plate(about an 1")

And the TV cable crank on the old trans needs to be put onto the new trans your swapping in.

A 47RH is easier to swap in, being its hydraulically controlled internally, an RE talks to the PCM on the '96 and up trucks. I'm not sure if they can be converted to an RH or not, but it would be worth looking into.
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Old Aug 16, 2005 | 02:04 PM
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JD830, What years did the 47RH come in?

I'm sure that if you took a 47RE to a tranny shop they could convert it to either hydraulically lock up or just a solenoid. On this tranny does the computer control all shifts or just the TC lockup?

I know on a GM 700r4 before they went to computer controlled you can convert the electronic TC lockup to a hydraulic lockup
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Old Aug 16, 2005 | 02:25 PM
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Correct me if I am wrong, I think the 47RH came in 94 & 95.
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Old Aug 16, 2005 | 02:39 PM
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Yep, my 1996 V-10 had a 47RE. 1995 was the last year of the 47RH.

Rusty
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Old Aug 16, 2005 | 03:28 PM
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I would imagine that the main difference between the 47re and 47rh would be in the valve body right? so if you had a 47re and didn't have the computer to control it you could put a VB in from a 47rh and it would be back to regular pressure controlled shifting?
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Old Aug 17, 2005 | 10:14 AM
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From all of this, the 47RH is the most compatible transmission to replace the 518. The only missing piece is the lock-up converter control. Correct?
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Old Aug 17, 2005 | 10:16 AM
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That is what I get from everybody else. That is easily done with a regular toggle switch though.
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Old Aug 17, 2005 | 05:50 PM
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A switch is all I have for lock-up. I also have one for O/D as my truck only had a 3-speed.

Paul
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Old Aug 17, 2005 | 07:49 PM
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As long as you remember to switch the lock up off before coming to a stop.

Or as I was trying to teach my kids to drive a stick. "Push in the clutch, PUSH IN THE CLUTCH!!" I was later treated for whiplash!
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Old Aug 18, 2005 | 09:07 AM
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If your good at wiring you can wire the switch through your brake light switch so if you have your TC locked in and hit the brakes it will unlock instantly.
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Old Aug 18, 2005 | 10:34 AM
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Good suggestion, until I install the Jake brake. Probably opt for 1 of those controllers at that point.
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