So, here's my situation. My 44re has been slipping, and I came across a guy unloading a 44re with low miles and a new TC. So, I picked up his 44re, my tranny bit the dust last week, and I dropped the old one out of my truck.

When I went to bolt up the new one, I realized that the starter is on the passenger side...Apparently the 44re was from a Grand Cherokee, and Dodge used 2 versions of the 44re but didn't bother to change the model designation so poor saps like me could tell the difference.

To my question, then. Can I easily take the internals from the 44re Right Hand starter tranny and swap them into my old housing with the Left Hand starter? Or, will I need special shop tools, etc to make it not worthwhile for the garage Mechanic.

This is a 1998 Durango SLT 4x4, currently with the 44re mounted behind the 5.2l Magnum and mated with a 231 transfer case.

Thanks for your insights!

 

They are both the same inside, but the valve body may not be the same. I would use the front and rear drums from the wrong to the old one. Those are the ones with the clutches. And the same with the overdrive unit. Be careful not to tear the gasket or you will taking the sun gear assy and one clutch sprag. Also use the old torque converter and front pump. Replace the front gasket package and all the front pump bolts too.

 

Thanks for the reply, master tech.

Is there a good book you would recommend or a DIY for removing the drums as a unit, to avoid needing a press or spring compressor on the front clutch spring?

I have the Haynes and the FSM, but the step by step seems to be more for complete disassembly of the unit.

Also, I was planning on swapping the front pump into the old shell, as it was doing the "whine" in reverse. Are you concerned it might be a different unit?

Thanks again-