Hey everyone! I have a 1998 Durango with the 5.2 in it and my trans is going out. A friend of mine says he has a 2002 Durango with the 5.9 that I can have for free as a parts truck. So my question is will the transmissions swap and if the will do I need too do and modifications to make it work unfortunately I do not know what transmissions are in either vehicle as they are both far away from me any tips or tricks is also welcomePic for attention

 

I'm very unfamiliar with this chassis Durango, but my experience with trucks I think should carry over. I'm assuming these run the same trans and transfer case set up as a truck. In short yes they are the same trans both 46RE. The difference comes in being a 5.2 vs a 5.9. The 5.9 it externally balanced the 5.2 is internally balanced. The torque converter in the 5.9 will have balance weight on it. I have never been in a situation to try this myself but I've been told you can knock the weights off and it'll work just fine, or you could get a new torque converter for a 5.2

 

Your 98 likely has a 44re with the 5.2 and his 02 a 46re with the 5.9. The sensors on the 02 transmission probably won't work with the 98 truck. You can either get new sensors for a 98 5.9 or see if you can swap sensors from your trans. 5.9s were externally balanced too. The weights should be on the 5.9s flex plate, but verify there aren't any on the torque converter.

Otherwise it should all work (assuming both are 4wd). The 46re is beefier, but does have a taller first gear, so you'll notice it being a little slower off the line.

Get yourself a new rear main seal for your motor while it's off too if it hasn't been replaced in a while.