I have a 2000 Durango 5.9L SLT, with automatic transmission. Reverse went out on it , so in looking for a used transmission I was told for that year Durango the transmission had to come out of another 2000 Durango or Dakota. I was told that 99 had different electronics in them, and in 2001 they changed them again. So I found a parts Durango on craigslist, the only difference is this one had the 5.2L in it. Both have Y vin codes which are year 2000, but transmissions are different. Any input on this would be helpful. I live in Minnesota and have done a state wide search and have found out that transmission is very hard to come by.

 

Are just swapping it out? Have you gotten it priced to rebiuld or fix your current tranny in comparison of a used tranny swap with iffy past.

 

The 5.2 used a smaller transmission than the 5.9. It might bolt on, but it won't take the power long. You want a 46RE, the 5.2 used the 44RE.

 

Whoever told you that needs


with the 5.9L you can use any 46RE out of a Durango (98-03), Dakota (97-04) or a Ram (97-01) and it would be a direct swap. However, you CAN use the 44RE out of the parts truck IF you also use the flywheel and torque converter from the 5.2L. The only difference between the two is the way there balanced and the gear ratios are slightly different. Also Chrysler rates the 44RE a "medium duty" transmission and the 46RE the "heavy duty" transmission. In all honestly, unless you plan on towing some decent weight pretty often 44RE will be just fine.

 

looking at both transmissions the one from the 318, the bell housings are different in the way they bolt to the motor.

 

Being a Minnesotan myself, I find it hard to believe there are none out there for you, so I checked car-part.com. I'd assume you have 4x4 since nobody around here buys an truck without. You're right, not many out there, and the remans are a little pricy. The reman is in Stillwater, otherwise there are a few scattered around, Onamia, Faribault and Prescott, WI. Not sure where you're located, but try that website, I love it when I need parts for my R/T. Also, many places on there are willing to ship.

Chad - 03 Dakota Sport Quad Cab, 01 Durango R/T, 98 Ram Quad Cab

 

Have you removed the pan and inspect why you don't have reverse? Could be something as easy as a strut.