44RE 5.2L TO 46RE 5.2L Swap
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44RE 5.2L TO 46RE 5.2L Swap
I have seen tons of threads on here with questions about swapping over a 44RE to a 46RE 5.2L V8 durango or dak, and none of them seem to give a definite answer on whether it is just plug and play or needs some modifications. I am here to tell you that it is literally just plug and play and no modifications at all are required. The trans are the same length, so no d.s. shortening and lengthening is required. You can also use a durango transmission in a dakota and vice versa. The very first time I started my dak up with the 46RE from a durango it stalled out, but since then it runs perfectly. I got a built 46RE with a shift kit so it shifts hard yet smooth at the same time. The shift linkage was swapped, but I dont know if that is really required. Also, the transfer case gear lever ended up being about 3 inches higher, which was perfect because on the 44RE it sat very low in the boot. The only slight problem I faced with the new trans is that the fill tube bracketry didn't line up correctly. I don't know if this is my own fault or because the fill tube input is at a different location on the 46RE. Either way it still works just fine, I just had to secure it with zipties till I can make my own brackets. If you have a blown 44RE and plan on putting a new trans in I would definitely recommend putting the 46RE in there instead. It has better internals and a beefier torque converter. I found a few threads with people saying that the 46RE tq doesnt bolt up to the 5.2L and that is completely incorrect. It fits perfectly, these people likely don't know how to properly secure a torque converter and tightened each bolt fully instead of gradually. Anyway, if anyone has any questions about dropping the trans and swapping a new one in feel free to ask me, but let me tell you this was probably the dumbest setup I have ever seen and I will not ever be doing that again I will get rid of the damn truck before I take the time to drop another dodge transmission.
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I have seen tons of threads on here with questions about swapping over a 44RE to a 46RE 5.2L V8 durango or dak, and none of them seem to give a definite answer on whether it is just plug and play or needs some modifications. I am here to tell you that it is literally just plug and play and no modifications at all are required. The trans are the same length, so no d.s. shortening and lengthening is required. You can also use a durango transmission in a dakota and vice versa. The very first time I started my dak up with the 46RE from a durango it stalled out, but since then it runs perfectly. I got a built 46RE with a shift kit so it shifts hard yet smooth at the same time. The shift linkage was swapped, but I dont know if that is really required. Also, the transfer case gear lever ended up being about 3 inches higher, which was perfect because on the 44RE it sat very low in the boot. The only slight problem I faced with the new trans is that the fill tube bracketry didn't line up correctly. I don't know if this is my own fault or because the fill tube input is at a different location on the 46RE. Either way it still works just fine, I just had to secure it with zipties till I can make my own brackets. If you have a blown 44RE and plan on putting a new trans in I would definitely recommend putting the 46RE in there instead. It has better internals and a beefier torque converter. I found a few threads with people saying that the 46RE tq doesnt bolt up to the 5.2L and that is completely incorrect. It fits perfectly, these people likely don't know how to properly secure a torque converter and tightened each bolt fully instead of gradually. Anyway, if anyone has any questions about dropping the trans and swapping a new one in feel free to ask me, but let me tell you this was probably the dumbest setup I have ever seen and I will not ever be doing that again I will get rid of the damn truck before I take the time to drop another dodge transmission.
So there is no modification needing to be done to make the 46re fit in place of the 44re from what your saying it is pretty much bolt in and go
Captain
Joined: Feb 2017
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From: Southern OH
A bad u-joint or out of balance rear driveshaft will make it do that.
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Pretty much. I have had the 46 for almost two years now and it still runs strong. Some people have told me I should get a 5.9 pcm to make it run properly but as far as I can tell it works just as it should. The only weird thing for me is that the 46 sometimes makes a clunking sound when it downshifts from 3rd. I can stop it from doing this by riding out third gear as far as I can before getting off the throttle. It has done this for nearly two years now though and hasn’t given me any trouble.
Hello all I am new to this forum. I have been searching for some information for quite a while and have not been able to find anything specific but I have generated a few questions.
Here is my scenario:
My trans in my 97 dakota with a 44RE had pitch black trans fluid after not wanting to shift anymore. I replaced the governor solenoid and transducer as a result. After that it shift quite well from 1st through 3rd but would go into OD. After dropping the pan and look at the insides again I noticed that the fluid was burnt again and this time there were large chunks of metal. I decided to replace the trans. I couldn't find an intact 44RE at a local pull and pay so I looked for conversions. The 46RE swap became my choice. I found a 99 dodge ram 1500 with a 5.2L and an intact 46RE. I pulled the brackets and torque converter from it as well. I got it all installed and filled with fluid and started it up. It made the most horrible grinding noise ever. I have been told that it's the torque converter but there's a catch. Here is where I need help.
I obviously can't use the 44RE TC because the input shafts are so different. However, I've been told that I need a different TC than the stock one for a 46RE that I pulled from the pull and pay.
My questions are: is the person that told me this on crack or are they right?? Since I'm putting a 46RE in place of a 44RE, even though they were both bolted to a 5.2, can I not use a stock TC for a 46RE?? Does it need to have a different stall??
any and all help is welcome and appreciated. If clarification is needed please ask for it. I hope that I have been concise enough to describe the situation.
Here is my scenario:
My trans in my 97 dakota with a 44RE had pitch black trans fluid after not wanting to shift anymore. I replaced the governor solenoid and transducer as a result. After that it shift quite well from 1st through 3rd but would go into OD. After dropping the pan and look at the insides again I noticed that the fluid was burnt again and this time there were large chunks of metal. I decided to replace the trans. I couldn't find an intact 44RE at a local pull and pay so I looked for conversions. The 46RE swap became my choice. I found a 99 dodge ram 1500 with a 5.2L and an intact 46RE. I pulled the brackets and torque converter from it as well. I got it all installed and filled with fluid and started it up. It made the most horrible grinding noise ever. I have been told that it's the torque converter but there's a catch. Here is where I need help.
I obviously can't use the 44RE TC because the input shafts are so different. However, I've been told that I need a different TC than the stock one for a 46RE that I pulled from the pull and pay.
My questions are: is the person that told me this on crack or are they right?? Since I'm putting a 46RE in place of a 44RE, even though they were both bolted to a 5.2, can I not use a stock TC for a 46RE?? Does it need to have a different stall??
any and all help is welcome and appreciated. If clarification is needed please ask for it. I hope that I have been concise enough to describe the situation.
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From: Clayton MI
No. Won't work. Instruments in the 02 are all driven by the PCM, wiring harness is completely different.
However..... You CAN still use the 97 PCM and harness, just need to use the sensors from the original motor as well. (which means, intake swap.) You will also need to get the correct year sensors/solenoids for the trans. (97) as those changed in 00.... or maybe it was 99.....Functionally, there is no difference between the 44, and 46RE trans.
However..... You CAN still use the 97 PCM and harness, just need to use the sensors from the original motor as well. (which means, intake swap.) You will also need to get the correct year sensors/solenoids for the trans. (97) as those changed in 00.... or maybe it was 99.....Functionally, there is no difference between the 44, and 46RE trans.
