4R44E to a 4R55E

[ScottyBoyBlue]

I want to know if you can bolt a 4R55E transmission in place of the lighter 4R44E? I have 3.0 but would like to replace the light duty transmission with its bigger brother the 4R55E. My 4R44e is having problems shifting from 2nd to 3rd so I want to replace it but dont want to run in this problem later. (Owner before me pulled a boat)

 

[exbass94]

My 4R44e is having problems shifting from 2nd to 3rd

I'm assuming you're talking about the 2-3 shift flare. It's a common problem on these transmissions. You don't have to rebuild it to fix it. Replacing the valve body gasket and EPC solenoid will usually fix the problem. Look at THIS LINK to read more about it.
EDIT: This problem may not affect the 4r44e, as it's a 4-speed trans, and this problem typically occurs only in the (basically identical) 5-speed units.

The 4r55e only came in 4.0 trucks. The 4.0 has a different bellhousing bolt pattern and won't bolt up to a 3.0. Explorerforum.com has tons of great info on these trannys. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=109

 

[freelife04239]

Bellhousings come off and swap

 

[Viper Command]

If you can match bellhousings it can be swaped, the only difference between the 44 and the 55 is that the 55 has more clutchs and slightly bigger drums to hold them, in other words the 55 is HD. The gear ratios are even the same.

 

[brwntom]

Another difference is the 4r55e has different planetary than the 4r44e. They have a 6 gear planetary versus a 3 gear one I believe.