So I traded a 91 Dakota for a 2002 Durango 4x4 with a 5.9 and a 46re. The Dakota ran and drove, the Durango was much better looking and was said to run and drive but needed a coil. Said they rebuilt the transmission and was said to work in all gears and then the coil went out so instead of spending 40 bucks on a coil after allegedly rebuilding this transmission, he decided to post it for sale.

Well I put a coil on it and it doesn't have reverse.

I've been through all the stuff you're supposed to try before pulling the tranny, to no avail.

here on the left is my Durango's tranny and on the right is another tranny from a '96 or so Ram that I was told was rebuilt and had 300 miles put on it before the engine slipped time. Found some shavings in the pan in this one, which is a little unsettling but I believe I can swap the overdrive sections between the two and throw that one in. (Correct me if I'm wrong, I don't remember if semi-small shavings in the pan are a big deal or not)


My only other issue with this process is that the two of them have different connectors.

Ram:


Durango:



I've read that the rear connector is attached to the valve body, could I swap the valve bodies between the two? And then, what about the other big black connector on the Durango tranny, whereas the Ram tranny only has the 3 prongs in that spot. Unsure of how to effectively make this work, and don't wanna go taking stuff apart without proper guidance

 

The round connector there is for the internal electronics on your trans, which aren't going to be compatible with the 2002 PCM. You can change the electronics in there, (and the retainer for the governor pressure stuff....) don't really need to change the entire valve body.

The other connector though..... tells the various electronics what gear you are in. I think it is 'possible' to work around that, but, no real information on it. Pretty sure there are threads around here about it though.

Metal shavings in the trans is never a good sign....... Got a pic?

 

I haven't got a picture this moment but I will upload one shortly.

I see what you mean about just swapping the electronics, I did some more reading and realized the same thing you said.

As for the other connector, do you know what it's called? (The black box connector, I mean) I'd like to see if I could buy a new one instead of trying to pull that one out of the case. I feel I'd probably end up ****ing something up with those Torx screws being so rusty

Edit: it's called a neutral safety switch. Figgered er out.

 

Here are the shavings I spoke of.

 

That is NOT healthy. Something in there is munching itself up.