I've got 228k miles on my 2003 3.9L Dakota 2WD, and the 42RE has been begging me to end the suffering for the past 40k. I really don't want to drop $2000-2500 on such an old truck, but it's still in too good of condition to simply scrap it. I'm considering swapping a used transmission into it, but I want to avoid the issues I'm having with the 42RE (1st is slow shifting to 2nd, hunts between 2nd and 3rd if im pushing ≈50% throttle, and 3rd to 4th often get stuck in between gears. I'm not even sure how that last bit works, but the engine RPM ends up higher than 4th gear, and lower than 3rd gear for anywhere between 2 seconds and 5 minutes.) I've looked everywhere I could for information, and this is what I've found so far that I can day definitively: the 44RE will bolt up to the engine where the 42RE does, and the gear ratios are the same. I will also have to retain the torque converter from the 42RE to bolt to the 3.9L. My questions are as follows: will the electrical connections match up, and if not, what will I have to do to make the V6 ECM and 44RE play nice? Also, will I need to swap transmission cross members or move mounting locations for the transmission swap? And will the drive shaft bolt to the 44RE without modification or undue drivetrain stress? Depending on the answers, I may just sell it to the guy working next door. He wants to LS swap it, lol.

 

Yes, 44RE and 42RE use similar cases. Will be a direct swap. The only difference is that the 44RE has 2 more clutches.

The throttle response is more related to the Throttle Velocity (TV) cable adjustment.

 

I think you're missing my point. There are electrical connectors on the transmission that differ between various years and models, so i need to know if there be a plug-n-play option. I know that they're supposed to be the same dimensions on the outside, but i wanted to double check that. Also, ive adjusted my TV cable so many times its not funny, and i can never seem to get it right, but ill try it again for the thousandth time. However, I believe half of my problem with 2->3 and 3->4 shifts may be due to a failure of the convertor lock-up, after looking into the issue a little more. It seems I only have an unintentional up-shift under partial throttle if 3rd hasn't locked.

 

yes, all electrical is the same for 97-99 && 01-04. You'll want an 01+ transmission.