Transmission Interchangeability

4

415cpa

Member
Hey guys,

My FX35(AWD) has recently given me some transmission issues and I might have to replace the transmission soon.

I was wondering if anyone knows if transmissions are the same and interchangeable between the RWD and AWD FX35s? I tried to do some research but couldn't find a concrete answer. Looked up the part #s and they have different numbers. The reason I am asking is because I found a pretty low mileage RWD transmission for a good price.

If anyone has any experience or knows the answer I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,
-Dom
 
It's not the same; I looked into it a long time ago when I wanted to pick up a built transmission. There is a transfer case which I believe is integrated somehow. And I think the output shaft is slightly different to account for that. It's also why you have to get a different Y-pipe for AWD, there is a transfer case there.

The internals are the same and you can swap VB's from compatible years but the full transmission is different.
 
Transmissions are definitely not interchangeable. Not only will you require the transfer case, but you'll also need a new front differential, new front/rear driveshafts, front CV axles, reflashed ECM thats programmed to deal with AWD.

It's not worth the headache and money to swap out transmissions when you would get such a poor return of investment.
 
shadow191 said:
Good luck, and what issues are you having? Just curious.
Click to expand...

I recently had a Transgo shift kit installed and right after installation of the kit the transmission has started to slip and threw a check engine light(p1769 & p1759). The shop took out the valve body and doubled checked the installation and everything seems to be in order so we are a little stumped. So now I am thinking the transmission might be bad. The transmission was perfectly fine before the install so I don't know what could be wrong.

On a side note, do you guys know if I can use a transmission from a different year FX35 in my 2004? I found a few transmissions from some 2003 and 2005 FX35s
 
Both of those codes are VB related, your transmission may be fine. All of the solenoids are on the VB so you can probably just swap to another VB and it will fix the problem. I'm also willing to be that the slip is being caused by the VB. If there are issues with the VB and it's not moving fluid through the right passages, your transmission can slip and won't shift properly. Is the transmission slipping while in gear? Or is it flaring up between shifts?

You can't tell if a solenoid is bad by looking at it. They may have damaged a connection while disassembling the VB to install the Transgo, it wouldn't be that apparent. It's too much of a coincidence that your transmission started acting up right after the VB install.
 
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