Hemi transmission swap to kill the hard shift....

truckbouy2 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 03, 2018 2:27 pm

Need some update reports from those who've done the 09-10 hemi transmission swap to kill the 2-3 hard shift.
Thanks.

vwroad87 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 03, 2018 3:20 pm

truckbouy2 wrote:

Need some update reports from those who've done the 09-10 hemi transmission swap to kill the 2-3 hard shift.
Thanks.

Hum, do you have any CEL codes? Did your tranmission always "hard shift". Limp mode of the transmission will cause hard shifts. How many miles on the transmission?

ebbnflow · **Posted:** Mon Dec 03, 2018 3:53 pm

It fixed my 2-3 hard shift. I've got about 30k on my junk yard hemi 5.7 trans/tq. No more hard shifts. Look through my old threads to see my journey. I tried a lot of things before swapping.

truckbouy2 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 03, 2018 3:59 pm

Thanks ebb. We had parallel journeys. The hard shift has been getting worse and now when you push the overdrive on-off button it hard shifts. I've been driving it to see if will implode but I can't take it anymore. So it's swap time.

vwroad87 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 03, 2018 5:01 pm

truckbouy2 wrote:

Thanks ebb. We had parallel journeys. The hard shift has been getting worse and now when you push the overdrive on-off button it hard shifts. I've been driving it to see if will implode but I can't take it anymore. So it's swap time.

As a transmission rebuilder I would really like to know about the mileage on this unit? The factory unit is a beast and I really want to understand this issue.

Last transmission service? Any damage found? Ever change the solenoid pack (invalid fuild temps cause hard sifts)? Have you done a re-learn on the transmission to check/adjust the clutch volumns? Have you put the transmission on a Snap-on Solus scanner or equivalent and confirmed pressures, volumns and fuild temps?

Good luck

truckbouy2 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 03, 2018 5:18 pm

105,000 miles now, it's had the hard shift for 80,000 miles. Look up my history posts here that will show you the history of this adventure. Last tranny service about 20g's ago. Chrysler (it had the 8yr/80000 warranty) relearned this thing at least 15 times, ( 3)valve bodies, (3)solenoid packs, (2) t-converters, (3) tcm's, Chrysler drb'd it 15 times while driving and confirmed my hard shift diagnosis but had no idea why, and said we'll have to tear it down but then we still might not fix it, fluid is cleaner than when you pour it out of the bottle. Look up hard shift posts by truckbouy2. 545 is a good transmission but not with the KJ diesel. You pay the freight you can autopsy this one.

ebbnflow · **Posted:** Mon Dec 03, 2018 5:52 pm

Looks like you did even more due diligence than I did. Mine never died completely. I swapped it before that happened. Our mileage timeline is very similar. The thing that always boggled my mind was a quick learn would fix it for a day or two, but it always came back. My final conclusion was worn out clutches caused the quick learned values to rise. When the values got high enough the hard shifting starts and doesn't go away until the next quick learn.

truckbouy2 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 03, 2018 6:01 pm

I heard somewhere that Chrysler had an idea this was a software issue right out of the gate but didn't know that for "sure" and didn't care because that was then under Damlier and this is now. If I remember the tech would reset the transmission and it would shift smooth and as he drove back to the shop he'd watch the pressures ( I remember you metioning the pressure ramping up) ramp up and by the time he got back, hard shift. They (him & Chrysler) had NO idea.

vwroad87 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 04, 2018 4:04 am

ebbnflow wrote:

Looks like you did even more due diligence than I did. Mine never died completely. I swapped it before that happened. Our mileage timeline is very similar. The thing that always boggled my mind was a quick learn would fix it for a day or two, but it always came back. My final conclusion was worn out clutches caused the quick learned values to rise. When the values got high enough the hard shifting starts and doesn't go away until the next quick learn.

Wow, bummer. I spent 6 months tracking a ghost hard shift limp mode issue in my rig. Here is what I found in the TCM harness near the. A/C accumulator. It would present randomly. Best you check that harness so you don't :5SHOTS:

after the swap.

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Tue Dec 04, 2018 4:30 am

truckbouy2 wrote:

Need some update reports from those who've done the 09-10 hemi transmission swap to kill the 2-3 hard shift.
Thanks.

I have done it.
It cured the 2-3 shift problem.
HOWEVER
DO NOT USE EITHER OF THOSE YEARS!!!!!
I heard the same bit and put in a 2010 hemi trans.
I was led to believe it would also have the updated pump and valve.
NOT!!
Use a model year 2013 or newer to get the problem free trans.
The 2010 fixed the shift problem, but the new trans introduced additional TC clutch problems as it has the problematic front pump and valves.
Having to wimp around until I get my original trans fully rebuilt with the new front pump assembly in addition, and re-installed.

Also - You may come across a reinforced mounting that doesn't quite match the existing transfer case. I had to trim an extra boss from the 2010 adapter to get the transfer case to mount up. There have been no issues from this.

truckbouy2 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 04, 2018 9:21 am

Thanks vw... I'll check those wires again. Seems like I rubbed 400 miles of wire looking for faults already. But a good reminder sometimes you see but don't see.

And Thanks Gord. Isn't 2013 a 65rfe/six speed and it works with the crd tcm, electronics, and swaps ?

flash7210 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 04, 2018 11:11 am

My understanding is that the latest version of the 545rfe is actually the 65rfe.
And they are physically the same with the exception of a few small differences.
If a 2013 or newer 65rfe were used, would the valve body have to be swapped for the 545rfe version?
Or will the 65rfe valve body work with the CRD?

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Wed Dec 05, 2018 6:44 am

flash7210 wrote:

My understanding is that the latest version of the 545rfe is actually the 65rfe.
And they are physically the same with the exception of a few small differences.
If a 2013 or newer 65rfe were used, would the valve body have to be swapped for the 545rfe version?
Or will the 65rfe valve body work with the CRD?

Even so, the same solenoid bodies are used between them. Just make sure to use the one with the white connector.
Your experience leads me to believe that either the jeep or the ram TCM will work, but with different shift points. If neither agree with you, GDE can program either for whatever you want within limits of physical and logical limits. Custom work usually comes with custom prices though.

Hemi transmission swap to kill the hard shift....

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