44RE Master Rebuild Kit 2000

This is the complete kit for a 2000-and-later 42RE or 44RE: the small-case A500 four-speed behind the six-cylinder in Jeep Grand Cherokee, Cherokee and Wrangler models and the Dodge Dakota and Durango. If your transmission has burnt fluid, slips when hot, or has lost overdrive and you have already decided to pull it, this box covers almost everything that wears. It includes BorgWarner friction plates and a full set of steel plates, a TransTec soft parts kit with every rubber seal and gasket, a new filter, a pump bushing, an extension housing bushing and a new front (kickdown) band. New, shipping from the USA.

What the master kit renews inside a 2000-up unit

The 42RE gets first through third from its front and rear clutches, the kickdown and low-reverse bands and a low-reverse overrunning clutch, with fourth supplied by the rear-mounted overdrive unit. The factory service manual lists 4 front clutch discs, 4 rear, 3 overdrive and 6 direct. Most budget kits leave the steels out and you end up reusing glazed or heat-blued plates. This kit includes the steels, and adds the two parts most cheap kits skip. The front band does most of the work on the 2-3 shift and the kickdown, and the pump and extension housing bushings decide whether the new seals hold pressure and stay dry.

What changed for 2000, and why it matters

For 2000 the governor pressure sensor changed from the early oval connector to a rectangular plastic sensor, so 2000-up valve bodies and solenoid kits are not interchangeable with 1999-and-earlier parts. Transmission Digest also documented a P1740 converter clutch code on 2000-2001 Dakotas, Durangos, Ram pickups and Ram vans, traced to an undersized orifice in the boost valve cover plate rather than a worn converter. If your 2000 truck set P1740 before it failed, deal with that plate during the rebuild or the code can come back on fresh clutches.

Symptoms this kit addresses

• Slipping on the 1-2 or 2-3 shift, or a runaway kickdown with a worn front band
• A flare or slip on the 3-4 shift into overdrive
• Burnt fluid, a loaded filter and friction debris in the pan
• Whine or leaks from a worn pump bushing, or a rear seal leak from a worn extension housing bushing

Confirm the diagnosis first

Gauge line pressure and check the governor circuit before you condemn the clutches. ATRA's troubleshooting notes point out that a governor body leak can imitate a failed solenoid, and a code-only problem is often fixed from the pan. Our 3-4 clutch failure guide explains how to tell clutch wear from a pressure problem in this family.

Fitment

The listing covers 2000-2004 A500-family units (40RH, 42RH, 42RE, 44RE) in Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler applications, and it is specifically for the small-case transmission. Many vehicles in this range could have either the small case or the large-case 46RE, so check the case tag and pan before ordering. If you are unsure, send us your year and VIN and we will match it. Browse the rest of our 42RE/44RE parts for hard parts.

Install notes

• Soak all clutch discs in ATF+4 for about thirty minutes before installing them.
• Press the new pump and extension housing bushings in square, and replace the front pump seal before you set the pump.
• Install the new front band, tighten the adjuster to 72 in-lb and back it off 3-5/8 turns. The rear band backs off 4 turns.
• Set front clutch clearance to 0.067-0.134 in. with the selective snap rings.
• Fill with ATF+4 and check the level hot with the engine running.

A 2000-up rebuild is the time to replace the electronics with matching late parts. A 2000-on 44RE solenoid kit includes the rectangular sensor, and a Sonnax-updated 2000-2001 valve body fixes worn bores in the same circuits. If the converter clutch was a problem, read our TCC lockup guide before you reinstall the old converter.

Does this kit include steel plates and a band?

Yes. It includes BorgWarner frictions, steel plates, a TransTec soft parts kit, a filter, a pump bushing, an extension housing bushing and a new front (kickdown) band.

Will it fit a 1999 or earlier 42RE?

The listing is for 2000-2004 units. The clutch packs did not change much, but the late electronics did, so send us your year and VIN and we will confirm before you order an early unit.

How do I know if I have the small case or the large case?

The small-case 42RE/44RE sits behind the six-cylinder engines and has a smaller pan and case than the 46RE. The case tag is the surest check. This kit fits the small case only.

My 2000 Dakota set P1740 before the rebuild. Will new clutches fix it?

Not by themselves. On 2000-2001 trucks P1740 has been traced to an undersized boost valve cover plate orifice, so correct that during the rebuild.

What fluid and how long should I soak the clutches?

Use ATF+4 and soak the clutch discs for about thirty minutes before you install them.

• 46RE 3-4 Clutch Failure: Symptoms and Fix
• 46RE TCC Lockup Explained and Diagnosis
• 46RE Rebuild Guide: Known Wear Points and Upgrades
• 46RE Fluid Type and Capacity
• 46RE Identification Guide