I'm a 4th year automotive apprentice and I've got to build a trans for school. I have a 98 Dakota 4X4 w/ 5.2L and 44RE. It's on it's way out...big surprise eh? I can't be without my truck for too long, and since it school, we're going though it pretty slowly.
I have a 42RE from a 99 Dakota 4X4 w/3.9 in my garage. I know the 42RE won`t handle the torque, my question is what needs to be changed to make a 42RE into a 44RE?
I've been searching the internet with no luck (alot of crap out there) I know the # of steels and fibers in the clutch pack is one difference, but is the clutch drum, hub ect, larger to accept the extra steels and fibers? Does the number of pinions in the carrier change from the 42RE to the 44RE? Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.

 

just pull your 44RE out and rebuild it in school and drive the truck with the 42RE in it but be easy

 

If i wanted to do that, I would have, but I want to build up this 42RE (aka a500...904 for the old timers). If there are too many parts to change to make a 44RE, I'll keep my eye out for another doner trans, and just rebuild this 42RE and flip it to a 3.9 guy. (guarenteed I can find somebody who needs one!!!)

 

well sooorrrryyy

 

ok so i've made it this far.

I will require a new Direct Clutch housing with a .350" measurement from lip to snap ring insted of the .485" that the 42RE should have, this extra space will allow for 8 discs in the direct clutch, instead of 6

Although the OD clutch has an extra disc in the 44, it appears it can be just added in when used with a combination of thick and thing pressure/apply plates.....Great, thats the OD section beefed up to a 44RE

So the forward clutch in the 44 has 5 discs, the 42 has 4. Does the 44 have a different front clutch drum, and if so, does that mean it has a different intermediate hub aswell?

If anybody knows (thinks isn't good enough) my information is incorrect, please let me know.