Can a 545RFE fit?

[JedIEG]

I was wondering if a 545RFE 2wd can fit without modifying the torsion bar cross member? Can you get away with just trimming some of the ribs off of the tail housing? I have a 72 SSP if anyone has done this with a similar car (Pictures would be appreciated)

 

[kb67mopar]

My understanding is no. I haven't specifically tried but have heard you need to mod the cross member and re-form the tunnel. There should be a couple here that have.

I have a transmission controller that should function stand alone for the 545RFE. I haven't ever tried it stand alone but it was a separate controller from a 01 Jeep Grand Cherokee. In those years the engine and trans controllers were separate but I don't know if they need to talk to each other. Just stating that in case you wanted to use it with a 318, 340,360

 

[5.7 hemi]

The 545rfe trans is a huge piece, much taller and wider than a 727. The tunnel needs to be widened and raised. The tb crossmember has to be cut out and a new piece made to fit the wider trans. Not terribly hard to do, but your welding of the tb crossmember better be damn good.

 

[JedIEG]

Darn, not what I wanted to hear. I already have the floor pretty well together and don't want to get into more structural welding. I think it would be cool to have a real Chrysler 6 speed trans in an old car. There is a 545rfe for sale for less then I can find any A518.

 

[5.7 hemi]

Just do it! Take your time and if ya run into any problems, get ahold of me and I'll do the best I can to walk you thru it. Or save some cash up and use a 727 with a gear vendors on it and you'll have a 6 speed without the tunnel surgery, just a few taps with the BFH!

 

[Kern Dog]

That whole "6 speed" bit with the Gear Vendors is somewhat of an empty benefit. Who the heck shifts into and out of the OD between 1st, 2nd and Drive? These aren't 18 wheelers, man!
I had a GV in my 70 Charger. I'd **** a brick if anyone could split gears in the car at WOT.

 

[5.7 hemi]

True, but it's cool that it can be done.

 

[JedIEG]

I don't quite get the gear vendors unit. I get that they are robust and self contained, and that is why people like them. But, if I have 3K extra to spend on a part of a transmission, I'm putting it towards a manual. Also, the splitting gears thing is not that impressive to me. You could do that with the overdrive in an A518 if I understand the OD solenoid correctly (something I would like to try sometime). I like the idea of having the transmission as one package also. Thats why the RFE's appeals to me (oh and the fact that they are actually designed by Chrysler as opposed to the NAG1, ZF8 etc)

 

[5.7 hemi]

The rfe's dual 2nd gear is weak, not going to sugar coat it. They are a good trans and can be built to handle some power. Also any other od trans is going to require some tunnel mods, some more than others and the GV will/might need a hit or 2 with the bfh.