44RE Shift Kit 1988-98, new and ready to install. Fits the 44RE. Ships fast from the USA.
If your 1990s Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Wrangler or Dodge Dakota with the A500 four-speed (42RH, 42RE or 44RE) is slow to grab Drive, flares on the 1-2 or 2-3, or is about to get a fresh rebuild that you want to last, this is the valve body upgrade built for the pre-1999 units. It is a new Superior Transmission Parts shift correction package, made in the USA. The listing carries the number K500-518; the box in the photo is printed K500-618, Superior's kit for the A500 through A618 family in both RH and RE form through 1998. It contains valves, color-coded springs, seals, drill bits and the instruction sheet shown in the picture.
The 42RE/44RE is a hydraulic three-speed with a bolt-on overdrive unit. First through third come from two clutches, two bands and a roller clutch, all fed by the valve body under the pan. The early A500 (42RH) set governor pressure mechanically, while the 42RE/44RE does it with a solenoid and sensor, but the valve body hydraulics a shift kit works on are largely the same in both. Stock calibration leaves a long slip window on every apply. This package attacks that directly. According to the kit's published description it targets premature band failure, inadequate line rise, slow engagements, premature clutch failure and a low 2-3 shift point, and it adds full-time lube. It also includes a rapid fill manual valve: the converter drains normally with the engine off, but fills instantly in Park when the engine starts, which cuts that lazy first engagement on a cold morning. A lip seal for the larger A518/A618 direct drum is included too; on a small-case 44RE you will not need it.
A shift kit corrects calibration; it does not fix hard parts that are already worn. Check the hot fluid level first, then make sure the throttle valve cable is adjusted, because a misadjusted cable gives soft, early shifts on any RE unit. A road test against the clutch and band chart tells you if something is already slipping: the rear clutch is on in every forward gear, so a slip in two forward gears points at it rather than the valve body. Our RE-series shift quality and TV cable guide and delayed engagement guide cover the same valve body family. If the fluid is burnt and full of friction material, plan a rebuild and install the kit during it.
This kit is for 1988-1998 A500 units: 42RH, 42RE and 44RE behind the 4.0L, 3.9L and 5.2L engines in Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Wrangler and Dakota models. Superior's printed coverage stops at 1998 because the 1999-and-later RE valve body was revised. For a 1999-up 44RE, use the Superior TransAction shift kit instead. Valve body castings changed during the run, so check your existing valve body against the instructions before you tear into it, or send us your year and VIN and we will confirm. Browse everything we stock for this unit on the 44RE collection page.
| Fits | 44RE 1988-98 |
| Part type | Shift Kit |
| Condition | New |
| Brand | Superior |
| Reference | A500 |
| Ships | From the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
No. This package covers A500 units through 1998. The 1999-and-later RE valve body is different, so a 1999-up 44RE needs a later kit such as the Superior TransAction kit we list for 1989-2004 units.
Yes. Superior lists it for the A500 in both RH and RE form through 1998. The valve body hydraulics it modifies are common to both; the governor difference does not change the kit.
Not by itself. A shift kit shortens the slip time of healthy clutches and bands. If a clutch pack or band is already burnt, replace it at the same time, ideally with a rebuild kit, or the slip will continue.
No. The valve body comes out from under the pan with the transmission in the vehicle. Most people still install it during a rebuild so the new clutches get the benefit from day one.
Use ATF+4. Refill, run the engine, and set the level with the fluid hot and the shifter in Neutral, then readjust the bands and throttle valve cable if you have not already.
