Transmission Swap Question - Help?

[baron1701]

Hi,
I have a 1997 Town and Country with the AWD package and a 3.8. The transmission shifts great and I have changed fluid and filter 4 times since I got it about 5 months ago. I did this because when I bought it I was a little aware of the reliability problems with the transmissions and the van hit about 130k. The previous owner *said* it was rebuilt about 20k ago. The pan had a lot of very fine clutch material evident the first time I changed the fluid. Like a LOT. Each other time though there was nothing to speak of.

In the 5 months it has often Bumped into overdrive and twice given me tranny codes. The first time was solenoid related but went away and seemed fine. Again I just kept doing the fluid changes. The tranny shifts great. This last weekend after a fair amount of stop and go driving the ses light went on and the van would not shift into overdrive. I went to an Advance auto and I think the code was the p700 and something about an eatx connection. I was in a hurry and forgot to write it down. The employee was nice enough to let me handle the scanner and i cleared the codes. The van resumed normal shifting with no engine light.

I am thinking about doing a swap out.

I have been eyeballing a transmission from a 3.3 voayger. This transmission was just recently rebuilt and has a rebuilt Torque convertor. The price is about $350 but i may be able to get it lower. I dont have much money but I have a big check coming and was thinking of grabbing it this weekend before it was gone.

Is anyone aware of any big problems when I go to swap out?

*Firstly, should i just check the connections and work on the existing tranny. Maybe buy the rebuilt as a backup due to the low cost?

*The transmission is listed as a 1996 but the date on the vehicle door is 5/96 so that tells me it is a 1997 right?
*The 3.3 will have different gear ratios than the 3.8. is this a problem. my 3.8 awd has the tow package, another problem maybe?
*The Power Transfer Unit looks like it is a bolt on for any 41TE. Any issues?