HOW TO CONTROL 45RFE OR 545RFE w/HEMI SWAP?

[HAHNAGON]

Has anyone found out how to control a 45RFE or 545RFE separate from your engine wiring harness. I am currently Hemi swapping a 2000 Dakota with a 45rfe. I have the complete Mopar performance wiring harness that controls the engine, but does not control the transmission. Is there a way to do this using the factory tcm/pcm or something else....less expensive than the Sound German trans controller kit?

 

[Sixpactogo]

Has anyone found out how to control a 45RFE or 545RFE separate from your engine wiring harness. I am currently Hemi swapping a 2000 Dakota with a 45rfe. I have the complete Mopar performance wiring harness that controls the engine, but does not control the transmission. Is there a way to do this using the factory tcm/pcm or something else....less expensive than the Sound German trans controller kit?

I have the 545RFE behind the 6.1 in my Charger. As far as I remember, it doesn't need a module like the NAG1. It has been 10 years since I built mine so could be wrong. 545RFE uses an electronic signal for the speedo so you would need to upgrade your speedo for that or a GPS one. I would contact Chris at Hotwire. He has been up on these swaps for many years and probably has some new methods.
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[HAHNAGON]

I have the 545RFE behind the 6.1 in my Charger. As far as I remember, it doesn't need a module like the NAG1. It has been 10 years since I built mine so could be wrong. 545RFE uses an electronic signal for the speedo so you would need to upgrade your speedo for that or a GPS one. I would contact Chris at Hotwire. He has been up on these swaps for many years and probably has some new methods.
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I sent Chris @hotwires a long email and honestly didn't expect him message me back because it was lengthy with lots of details. He messaged back almost immediately!!!! Like minutes later. I can't get Sublime to answer still to this day. Chris gave me an excellent breakdown of the needed parts, prices and process. For those that may be interested.........He basically said I had to get a 03-10 545RE instead of the 45RE, but he could make a custom harness out of my current 4.7 harness and fuse block to make it work. I would also need to upgrade to a 01-04 dakota instrument cluster, add a 05 ram HEMI pcm, 4 oxygen sensors, oil pressure switch, gas pedal and probably fuel pump to go along with the new harness. It's a lot more expensive than I thought, but clearly he really knows what he is doing and is very helpful. Close to 5,000 and that doesn't include the cost of your engine or transmission. I'm probably going to think about it a little more because I'm not sure the truck is worth putting all that into. I have no problem spending that on a classic mopar muscle car but a truck worth maybe $2-3k doesn't make sense to me at this time. IDK?

 

[Sixpactogo]

It is a spendy hobby for sure. I paid too much for my Basket case Charger back in 2014 but I didn't build it with the intention of ever recouping my money. Am I sorry yet? Not for a second. These upgrades are always way more expensive than what you would think or budget for. Long gone are the days of Johnny Cash's song, "I got it one piece at a time and it didn't cost me a dime"
At least there is tons of help out there when and if you decide.