Best auto trans. o/h kits in your opinion?

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mechanicmark

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Need to do the 44re in my 98 jeep. What are the good aftermarket kits today? Have been away from dealership for 14 years and have never used a aftermarket kit. Thanks, Mark.
 
To the best of my knowledge, Chrysler, GM, Ford etc. do not make their own friction plates, but typically obtain them from either Borg Warner or Raybestos. The company I worked for in the past purchased a ton of GM 3/4 friction plates for the TH700 R4 from GM. The price was really good, so he virtually bought all that GM Canada had at the time. They arrived at the warehouse, neatly packaged 250 to the box, and all wrapped individually. Upon opening the individual packages, Borg Warner plates were in them. When the transmission in my Challenger was torn down, Raybestos plates were in it, and no, the transmission had never been apart previously. When I bought it, it was a 32000 mile survivor that had been parked in the original owners garage since 1980. The reason for taking it out and tearing it down was to replace all the gaskets and seals. The old girl had a lot of seals that were leaking.
 
The most complete economy type kit I have found are the brand Northern Auto Parts sells. Their kits for 727 and 904 have a lot more parts than most higher end kit. Most have thrust washers and bushings most kits don't come with. I think the name is transtar.
 
There aren't any. You'll need selective thrust button between the front and rear shaft ends. Also you probably have five direct frictions; most kits have four. Even the red eagle kits that have five for the direct aren't advisable because once you make the step to smooth high performance plates (they can withstand higher temps) you might as well opt for forward frictions; which are thinner (.061 vs .086); allowing six frictions in the direct clutch. There's a five plate direct kit on ebay for 204.87; you might inquire as to the thickness of the direct frictions. You'd probably be better off ordering ten alto red eagle forward frictions separately; that is if you want to order parts before you take it apart. Also the thickest middle thrust button.
 
Thanks guys. Found a nice kit with steels,frictions,seals and front band. Borg Warner frictions/ Raybestos band by transtar/transtec from Northern auto parts here in Iowa. Trans needs a few hard parts also now thats it's apart.
 
There aren't any. You'll need selective thrust button between the front and rear shaft ends. Also you probably have five direct frictions; most kits have four. Even the red eagle kits that have five for the direct aren't advisable because once you make the step to smooth high performance plates (they can withstand higher temps) you might as well opt for forward frictions; which are thinner (.061 vs .086); allowing six frictions in the direct clutch. There's a five plate direct kit on ebay for 204.87; you might inquire as to the thickness of the direct frictions. You'd probably be better off ordering ten alto red eagle forward frictions separately; that is if you want to order parts before you take it apart. Also the thickest middle thrust button.
These are smoked, lots of end play. Broken up fiber thrust washer, shell has major wear.
 
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