Dodge RamCharger Central banner

46rh

2K views 15 replies 6 participants last post by  Ruderunner 
#1 ·
Ok so i bought a 1989 ramcharger and blew the 46rh 4x4 od WITHOUT lockup and after awhile i managed to buy a 2wd 46rh with lockup and now im not sure i can still put it in the truck or not. Thoughts?
 
#2 ·
...I *think* you can simply swap tail housings and be back in business...

- Sam
 
#4 ·
Your 2wd 46RH should have the 3-pin connector behind (not below) the trans shifter/kickdown levers (there's a good pin in the thread/link below). If so you can always wire up both the OD and LU on toggle switches - I actually really like it that way and is how I've done my last few builds and am doing with the current one. I find I almost never need lockup - like ever - I find LU doesn't let the engine 'breathe' - I use it really just for fuel economy when already at highway cruising speed. Anyway, for options on how to control the OD and LU check out this thread I started- first post several paragraphs down is the 'transmission' section - some good info. Any other questions feel free to ask.

- Sam

https://ramchargercentral.com/diesel-talk/'de-computerize-your-dodge'/
 
#5 ·
Thank you for the link to the document and i was wondering in case i missed it in there how would i wire the switches from the trans to the cabin. would it be like buy a plug for it ground the 2 run the switches to the cab and run the one to the battery from the transmission or how would that work
 
#6 ·
if it's a 2-pin (front pin is overdrive, rear is 12v...at least on a diesel 518) I typically just run the rear pin to 12v switched (Ign) power and the front pin to one half of a toggle switch and the other to ground under the dash.  If it's a 3-pin (front pin is OD, middle is 12v, rear is LU) I do basically the same thing plus another similar ground wire up to the other toggle switch.  Run the wiring through the firewall somewhere
 
#8 ·
huh - I had always thought the A-518 = 46RH, but for dern'd sure wouldn't be the first time I had things mixed up :p .  I'll have to look into that because it means my writeup in the diesel section is a bit incorrect...
 
#9 ·
518 /46rH ....sbec /pcm 46rE different animal , gas motor the center pin is power , outside pins are ground from pcm 1 for od 1 for lock up . for converting from a 2 wd unit to a 4x4 and the wiring possabuilitys I'd call and look at these peoples web
https://transmissioncenter.net/product-category/dodge/
 
#10 ·
Mad Max, I've only discovered the A518's and the running changes Chrysler made in perfecting it before renaming it the 46RH because I've now rebuilt two of them.  One a 1990, the other a 1991, and they are both different, primary in the 1st/Rev Drum and band area.  Getting the right parts for those A518's is tough unless you know exactly when it was built.
 
#11 ·
Keep in mind, just like with every year of the 727, there are different versions of the 518, depending on the options it was matched with.  Typically in the trucks, the higher the GVW, the better it was built.
 
#12 ·
yah I'm most familiar with the diesel 518's for sure, and there was only one version of those from 91.5-93, then the 47RH came out from 94-96, then the 47RE....
 
#14 ·
so the up-to 89's were actually 518's and not 500s or something less strong?  Didn't know that - color me 'schooled' ;D
 
#15 ·
its the number / type of clutch discs in the drums ....
 
#16 ·
Regarding A500 vs A518, both exist,  the 500 is based off the A904 and leads to the 42rh and 42re.

The 518 is based off the much stronger A727 and leads to the 46th 46re. The changes in either series are mostly evolutionary and some parts actually swap throughout history.

Note,  that's a pretty simplistic explanation,  you can't convert a 727 to a 46re.

I discovered awhile back that there was a predecessor to the 518 way back in the 60's 70's but going with an underdrive in the extension housing instead of overdrive. Don't recall the model number but just showed nothing new under the sun.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top