I am looking for a used 42RE to replace my wore out one in my '96 Dakota (235K miles) 3.9L 2wd. I know the '97-02 will bolt right in but there are differences after '01 in case designs. The Neutral safety switches are different with the late style case using a 5 wire NSS and the early case using a 3 wire NSS.

Besides the NSS issue (which I can work around with an adapter) are there any major benefits to using the late style case? Are there any major internal improvements by Mopar that are included in the new 42RE case design?

 

96-99 are direct bolt-in between Dakota/Durango's. Avoid Rams due to case differences.

In addition to the PRNDL switch change in '01, they changed the pressure/temp sensor in the 00 to a square plastic sensor from the round metal one.

It's a simple swap to change the harness, pressure block, and solenoids from your '96 to a 00 trans.

Along with the PRNDL switch change, they changed the manual lever on the VB beginning in 01. If you get a late case and adapt it to the early NSS, be sure to swap the manual lever on the valvebody.

No real performance improvements to be had with the late trans.