Differences in Transmissions?
 

Greetings. I am researching about transmissions for my recently purchased 2002 Grand Caravan 3.8 FWD that has a bad transmission. By my understanding the ONLY years/models that are compatible with mine are the 2001-2002 Grand Caravan and 2001-2002 Town and Country with the 3.8 engine. Does anyone know exactly what is different in later and earlier years? Or what is different with the 3.3 engine? Seems as though the 41te was used for so many years before and after 2001 they would have adapted one standard issue version by then. Thanks everyone in advance.

Wow the gallery is hushed. I came across a listing on the final drive ratios for the 41te. If this is the only difference then looks like you could either make a "performance" oriented Caravan by say putting a 3.3 trans behind a 3.8 or a fuel miser with the 3.8 trans behind a 3.3. Of course I'm sure if you stray away from the Caravan version of the transmission you may run into mounts/bell housing/axle shaft problems. And if you stray away in years you may run into sensor/electrical issues.

3.8 3.45
3.3 3.6
3.0 3.6
2.5 3.9
2.4 3.9
2.0 4.1

I'm interested to know what the computer would think of swapping to a different final drive. Especially with traction control and abs in the mix.

You should be able to use the years between 2001 to 2005. 2006 and 2007 started use a added sensor in the case. As long as you are using a transmission from a 3.8.

Every interchange/lookup I have used says only 01 and 02. That's why I'm interested to see what the differences are. If it is something that could be transferred from the old transmission or maybe different sensor types? Mounts?

You can pm the last 9 of the vin and can look up the correct numbers and let you know.

Ok so after much research I have established this:

There are 2 different differential gearsets 3.75 and 3.90. The 3.75 is basically in all v6 versions and the 3.90 is in 4 cyl versions. Then there are 5 transfer gear ratios depending on engine and vehicle.

I am planning on using a low mileage 02 Sebring V6 transmission in my 02 Grand Caravan. I'll change the transfer gears and output shaft. Figure the car transmission would have had less stress on it as its lighter. Will take pictures and post results as I go.

Sorry to bump such an old thread but I promised to show pictures/progress from my transmission install and I haven't yet. Pictures got trapped in a laptop that died so took a while to get to them again.

Yes I used an 02 Sebring 2.7 transmission. One would think that a car transmission would have less wear on it as it is a lighter vehicle. And the 2.7 is such a junk engine that they rarely make it to 100k miles, 60k for this one.
<a href="http://www.havewrencheswilltravel.net/Caravan/Sebring.jpg">

First thing to change is the output housing or axle housing. Here is the Sebring.
<a href="http://www.havewrencheswilltravel.net/Caravan/OrigOutput.jpg">

And after the swap to the Caravan's.
<a href="http://www.havewrencheswilltravel.net/Caravan/CVNOutput.jpg">

Then changing the transfer gears. Here is the Sebring's original gears.
<a href="http://www.havewrencheswilltravel.net/Caravan/OrigXfer.jpg">

Simply unbolt the two gears (the bigger one is a 38mm...and a tight son of a bitch). Then use a gear puller.
<a href="http://www.havewrencheswilltravel.net/Caravan/GearPuller.jpg">

Here is a comparison of the two gears which are barely different.
<a href="http://www.havewrencheswilltravel.net/Caravan/Compare3.jpg">

And the Caravan's transfer gears installed.
<a href="http://www.havewrencheswilltravel.net/Caravan/CVNXfer.jpg">

Finally reseal the cover (I used grey rtv and no leaks).
<a href="http://www.havewrencheswilltravel.net/Caravan/XferCover.jpg">

To this point we have put close to 2000 miles on the transmission. Speedo/Odo is correct. Only slight problem is the converter lockup is a little rough but not bad enough for me to want to do anything about it. My total cost for this transmission replacement was $315 including transmission, fluid, filter, and new cooler. Of course it all is going to depend on your local junkyard.

Apparently I'm missing something in the picture links.....

Bumping an old thread,

I have an 02 Voyager LX 3.3, the current trans works okay-but I know its a matter of time seeing that this poor van has endured more abuse then any other vehicle I've owned.

Knowing the weakest link in the van is the transmission, and it's risky to use a junkyard unit from another van-finding that a 2.7 Stratus transmission will bolt in and work is good news, seeing how the U-pull it yards are overflowing with dead 2.7 cars with low miles.

My question is does it trip the check engine light? Assuming I swap all the necessary parts like you've done it should all be good seeing how its the same basic transmission.

Also whats the final drive on the 2.7 trans? I'd love to see lower highway RPMS seeing thats where I do most of my driving.

Thanks

Think the final drive is 3.9, same as the 2.5 v6. The ring and pinion on the 2.7 is the same as your 3.3 but you need to change the transfer gears. You could use a set from a 3.8 as they are taller, but you may run into speedometer problems. I have had no check engine lights or problems and we've put over 3000 miles on the van now.