Hi all,
Long time lurker, first time poster. I'm hoping to tap into the collective knowledge here. Does anyone know if I can fit a 5r55e in place of a 5r44e behind my 2005 3.0 4x4? I ask because a 5r44e 4x4 is hard to come by where I am and while the two are very similar, there may be differences that I am overlooking. I know the bellhousings are different but those can be swapped. Which TCC should I use? Will the 3.0 flexplate match the 5r55e TCC? Will the wiring harness plug match? Any insight is appreciated.

 

Welcome to the forum

2002-2011 5Rs have the correct sensors, earlier can not be used in 2002 and up vehicles
44E and 55E are the same size
The bellhousing is the front case for the main pump so while it can be swapped the whole trans should be disassembled to center the shaft on the new bell housing
But up to you

Use 3.0l torque converter

The 55E has bigger OD drum which won't matter either way unless you are rebuilding it

And you can't rebuild your 5R44E?
A used automatic is a roll of the dice, especially for DIY, as any warranty maybe denied unless a shop does the install

IF its your 1st automatic install, MAKE SURE you seat the torque converter inside the bellhousing all the way before bolting trans to engine or you WILL BREAK the pump

Video on pump and shaft alignment

 

Thank you, Ron. The current 5r44e is rebuildable but I can pick up a used 5r55e for about $150 if I pull it myself from the picknpull yard. I still may go the rebuild route but I'm just in the research phase of this and trying to think through all the issues. I thought the 5r55e might better as it's a bit more stout and since I've pulled a few transmissions I thought I'd go the the picknpull route. I appreciate your help here.

 

The 44 indicates it can handle 440ft/lb torque, 55 is 550ft/lb torque, but its basically just larger OD drum on the 55

One won't last longer than the other, that's not what those numbers mean

Its like the M5R1 manuals vs M5R1-HD, HD has an extra bolt hole in bell housing, same exact parts inside both, "But its Heavy Duty!", lol
Either is rated as 320ft/lb torque

And just FYI, the transmission's torque rating is also why automatic vehicles have a higher towing weight rating than manuals, no, it was never about clutches or driver's ability, lol, automatics are simply stronger than manuals built for same vehicles

 

Gotcha. I'm still leaning towards doing the swap to the 55 simply because they are cheap and plentiful. You input has been very valuable.

 

No worries, just remember any running issues won't be because of the 44E 55E differences, they both operate exactly the same way
Slow engagement or slipping gears are because its a "used' transmission, not because its a 55E

 

Copy that. Thanks Ron. While I have you, I have a related question. Do you know what would cause a high-frequency RRRRR sound, almost like grinding but not as harsh, while coasting? The moment I go back on gas, the sound goes away. I am thinking something with the coast clutch and/or valve body. Same vehicle.

 

Not valve body

Pretty hard to say, try putting it in Neutral so engine/torque converter can drop idle RPMs while transmission's rotating parts stay at driveshaft RPMs