Description
About the Dodge Van 150 Transmission
Direct fit Dodge B-Series Van across 33 years of US production (1971-2003 the LONGEST-PRODUCED Dodge vehicle single generation). Dodge B-Series Van was Dodge’s full-size van lineup competing with Ford E-Series Econoline (1961-2014, 53 years – longest US van production) and Chevrolet/GMC Van (G-Series then Express/Savana 1996+).
Naming evolution: pre-1979 B100/B200/B300 numbering, renamed 1979+ to B150/B250/B350 to match Dodge pickup truck numbering convention, ‘Ram Van’ branding applied 1981+ adding Ram identity to Dodge Van. So ‘Dodge Van 150’ = ‘B150’ = ‘Dodge Ram Van 150’ same vehicle different marketing names. B150 = 1/2-ton van (light duty, above B100 pre-1979 naming and below B250 3/4-ton and B350 1-ton in 1979+ naming). RWD only throughout 33-year production (no 4WD or AWD ever offered).
Engines: 225 Slant-Six I6 (the FAMOUS Chrysler ‘Leaning Tower of Power’ inline-6 with cylinders tilted 30 degrees, ultra-reliable workhorse), 318 LA V8 (5.2L Chrysler mainstream V8), 360 LA V8 (5.9L heavier duty), 440 RB V8 (big block limited production heavy-duty), 3.9L Magnum V6 (1990s era), 5.2L Magnum V8 (replaced 318 LA), 5.9L Magnum V8 (replaced 360 LA). LA-Series 1964-1992 was older Chrysler V8 family, Magnum 1992-2003 modernized version with multi-port fuel injection and single-plug heads.
Transmissions across B150 production: 727 TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic (the LEGENDARY Chrysler heavy-duty automatic with cast iron case, bulletproof reliability, used across LA V8 variants including 318/360 and 440 V8 heavy-duty), 904 TorqueFlite 3-speed (lighter-duty version for Slant-Six and lighter V8 applications), A500/42RE 4-speed automatic (mid-1980s update with overdrive 4th gear for highway fuel economy, light-duty for V6 and lighter V8 applications), A518/46RE 4-speed automatic (heavy-duty workhorse replacing 727 for heavier applications with 5.9L Magnum V8), 3-speed manual (pre-1980s limited).
Transmission designation systems: TWO numbering systems used – original Chrysler names (727, 904, A500, A518) and RE/RH system (RE = Rear-Wheel-Drive Electronic 1996+ with solenoid-controlled shifting and computer integration, RH = Rear-Wheel-Drive Hydraulic pre-1996 with mechanical/hydraulic shift control). 42RE = A500 variants, 46RE = A518 variants.
Body styles: Tradesman (commercial cargo configuration), Sportsman (passenger with windows, up to 15-passenger), Maxivan (extended length variant either Tradesman or Sportsman). Conversion van base heritage: many B150 vans customized by conversion companies (Glaval, Mark III, Explorer, Star, Centurion) in 1980s-1990s golden age of conversion vans adding custom interiors, captain’s chairs, beds, entertainment systems, roof extensions. Class B motorhome conversions also common.
Discontinuation 2003: After 33-year B-Series run, Chrysler discontinued and replaced with Mercedes-sourced Dodge Sprinter (via DaimlerChrysler era 1998-2007 merger), eventually becoming Mercedes Sprinter standalone. The Sprinter represented modern European approach to cargo vans replacing dated B-Series body-on-frame architecture with unibody European construction and higher roofline.
Dodge B-Series Van Heritage
Production: 1971-2003 (33 years, longest-produced Dodge)
Competition: Ford Econoline (53 years), Chevy/GMC Van
Naming: B100 pre-1979 → B150 1979+ → Ram Van 1981+
B150 Position: 1/2-ton (light duty)
Drivetrain: RWD only (no 4WD ever)
Body Styles: Tradesman, Sportsman, Maxivan
Conversion Heritage: 1980s-1990s golden age
Successor: Mercedes-sourced Sprinter 2003+ via DaimlerChrysler
Transmission Family
727 TorqueFlite: 3-speed legendary heavy-duty (LA V8 era)
904 TorqueFlite: 3-speed lighter duty (Slant-Six/lighter V8)
A500 (42RE): 4-speed with overdrive light-duty 1988+
A518 (46RE): 4-speed with overdrive heavy-duty workhorse 1988+
RE/RH: Electronic (1996+) vs Hydraulic (pre-1996)
3-Speed Manual: Pre-1980s limited production
- Dodge B150 Coverage:
| Dodge B100 Van 1971-1978 | Pre-renaming era (similar mechanical to B150) |
| Dodge B150 Van 1979-1980 | 1979+ naming convention |
| Dodge Ram Van 150 1981-2003 | Post-Ram Van branding |
| Tradesman 150 (Cargo) | Commercial work configuration |
| Sportsman 150 (Passenger) | Up to 15-passenger |
| Maxivan 150 (Extended) | Longer wheelbase variant |
| Engine Specific Transmission: | |
| 225 Slant-Six I6 | 904 TorqueFlite or A500 (42RE) typically |
| 318 LA V8 (5.2L) | 727 TorqueFlite (heavy-duty) or 904 |
| 360 LA V8 (5.9L) | 727 TorqueFlite heavy-duty typically |
| 440 RB V8 (Big Block) | 727 TorqueFlite heavy-duty |
| 3.9L Magnum V6 | A500 (42RE) typically 1990s+ |
| 5.2L Magnum V8 | A518 (46RE) typically 1990s+ |
| 5.9L Magnum V8 | A518 (46RE) heavy-duty 1990s+ |
| Sister Configurations: | |
| Dodge B250 Van 3/4-Ton | Often shares heavier transmissions |
| Dodge B350 Van 1-Ton | Heaviest duty transmission applications |
| Class B Motorhome (Based on B150) | Same transmission applications |
| Conversion Van (Glaval/Mark III/etc) | Same transmission base |
| NOT Compatible: Dodge Caravan | Different mini-van platform unrelated |
| NOT Compatible: Dodge Sprinter | Post-B-Series Mercedes-sourced different transmissions |
Call (240) 301-0095. Critical questions: (1) Year (1971-2003 B-Series). (2) Engine (Slant-Six, 318/360 LA V8, 3.9L Magnum V6, 5.2L/5.9L Magnum V8 – matters for transmission torque rating). (3) Transmission model (727, 904, A500/42RE, A518/46RE – VERY DIFFERENT). (4) Era (pre-1996 hydraulic RH vs 1996+ electronic RE if A500/A518). (5) Body style (Tradesman/Sportsman/Maxivan – heavier passenger/cargo affects transmission spec). (6) Donor mileage preference (lower mileage = longer remaining life). (7) Specify if pre-1979 B100 or 1979+ B150 naming.
Anastasios Konstantopoulos-Stamatides –
Replaced failed transmission on my 1995 Dodge Ram Van 150 Sportsman 15-passenger (Ram Van branding era 1981+, 1979+ B150 naming convention era replacing pre-1979 B100 system, 5.9L Magnum V8 ~230 HP/335 lb-ft torque the modernized Multi-Port Fuel Injection version of older 360 LA V8, A518 / 46RH 4-speed heavy-duty automatic transmission the workhorse with overdrive that replaced 727 TorqueFlite for heavier B-Series applications, RWD only configuration throughout 33-year B-Series production, Sportsman passenger configuration with up to 15-passenger seating perfect for our church group, Maxivan extended length wheelbase for additional rear seating capacity). Original 46RH had ~280,000 miles with slipping clutch packs and hard shifts. Vaz educated me extensively on the Dodge B-Series Van heritage (1971-2003 production 33 years the LONGEST-PRODUCED Dodge vehicle single generation without major body redesign comparable to Ford Econoline 53-year run 1961-2014), naming evolution (pre-1979 B100 lighter to B150 1979+ when Dodge matched pickup truck numbering convention, 1981+ Ram Van branding adding Ram identity), B150 1/2-ton light-duty positioning, transmission family (727 TorqueFlite the legendary heavy-duty 3-speed automatic with cast iron case bulletproof reliability used with LA V8 family across Mopar muscle cars/trucks/vans, 904 TorqueFlite lighter-duty 3-speed, A500/42RE 4-speed light-duty with overdrive for fuel economy, my A518/46RE 4-speed heavy-duty workhorse with overdrive replacing 727 for heavier 5.9L Magnum applications), LA-Series vs Magnum engine distinction (LA 1964-1992 older Chrysler V8 family with twin-plug heads, Magnum 1992-2003 modernized LA with single-plug heads and MPFI multi-port fuel injection, my 5.9L Magnum V8 the modernized 360 LA), RE vs RH naming (Electronic 1996+ vs Hydraulic pre-1996, my 46RH hydraulic pre-electronic), Ford Econoline competition context (longest US van production), conversion van golden age 1980s-1990s with Glaval/Mark III/Explorer/Starcraft/Centurion conversion companies, Slant-Six ‘Leaning Tower of Power’ heritage, and DaimlerChrysler era successor context (Mercedes-sourced Sprinter replaced B-Series 2003+ during DaimlerChrysler era 1998-2007). Sourced from 1996 Ram Van 150 Sportsman donor matching my application with A518/46RE that operates excellently. The Dodge B-Series Van 33-year heritage and Chrysler transmission family context was excellent.
Friederike Hartmann-Schweighofer –
Bought transmission for my 1988 Dodge Ram Van 150 Tradesman Maxivan (extended wheelbase commercial cargo configuration, 318 LA V8 5.2L throttle body injection late LA era ~150 HP the mainstream Chrysler V8 of pre-Magnum era 1964-1992 LA-Series family, A500 / 42RH 4-speed light-duty automatic with overdrive 4th gear for highway fuel economy the modernized A904 TorqueFlite successor introduced mid-1980s, RWD only as all B-Series vans, Tradesman commercial trim with painted steel interior and plywood-lined cargo floor for my plumbing contractor work). Original A500 had ~310,000 miles with band slippage causing harsh shifts. Vaz patiently explained the Dodge B-Series heritage (1971-2003 the longest-produced Dodge vehicle 33 years without major body redesign), naming history (1971-1978 B100 with original 100/200/300 numbering, my 1988 in 1979+ B150 era post-rename, Ram Van branding 1981+), transmission family (727 TorqueFlite legendary heavy-duty 3-speed cast iron case Mopar legend used with 318/360 LA V8 family, 904 TorqueFlite lighter-duty 3-speed, my A500/42RH 4-speed light-duty with overdrive mid-1980s introduction modernizing 904, A518/46RH 4-speed heavy-duty workhorse for heavier applications), LA vs Magnum engine transition (my 318 LA TBI late LA era 1988 vs later 5.2L Magnum MPFI Chrysler modernization 1992+ with single-plug heads and multi-port fuel injection), RE vs RH electronic vs hydraulic distinction (my 42RH hydraulic pre-1996 OBD-II), Tradesman/Sportsman/Maxivan body styles (my Maxivan extended length wheelbase), conversion van golden age 1980s-1990s context, Slant-Six 225ci ‘Leaning Tower of Power’ heritage, and Mercedes Sprinter successor 2003+ context. Sourced from 1989 Ram Van 150 Tradesman donor with A500/42RH matching my configuration. One star off because transmission is very heavy 150-250 lbs and shipped 9 days vs my expected 7 days due to freight requirements. But the B-Series 33-year heritage and Chrysler transmission expertise was excellent.