8-Speed Automatic Transmission Assembly for 2018-2025 Dodge & Jeep • Durango, Grand Cherokee

A quick look at your own vehicle makes sure the right transmission shows up:

• Verify the 8th digit of your VIN is 'T' to confirm you have the 5.7L Hemi V8 engine.
• Confirm your vehicle is a 4x4 or AWD model.
• Locate the transmission identification tag on the side or rear bottom of the transmission case to verify the model.

What the install really takes — plan and budget with confidence:

Special tools this job needs:

• Heavy-duty transmission jack
• Vehicle lift
• OBD2 scan tool capable of reading real-time transmission fluid temperature
• Fluid transfer pump
• Torx T40 (long and short) and Torx T20 bits
• E-torx sockets
• 8mm and 10mm Allen bit sockets
• Torque wrench

Budget for these consumables at install:

• Mopar 8 & 9 Speed Automatic Transmission Fluid (or ZF Lifeguard Fluid 8)
• New integrated plastic transmission oil pan, filter, gasket, and mounting bolts
• Front pump / torque converter seal
• Rear output shaft seal
• Transmission cooler-line flush solvent
• Replacement single-use torque-to-yield driveshaft bolts

What your vehicle’s computers will need after the swap:

What’s involved: VIN Flashing, PROXI Alignment, and Transmission Quick Learn

The integrated TCM stores the donor vehicle's VIN. A dealer-level scan tool (such as wiTECH 2.0) or advanced aftermarket software (such as AlfaOBD or JScan) is required to write the new VIN, perform a PROXI alignment to integrate the module, and run a Transmission Quick Learn (Static Adaptation) procedure.

Pro tips for a smooth first start-up — hand them to whoever does the install:

• Torque converter must be fully seated onto the input shaft and pump gears (clicking/dropping back three distinct times) before bolting to the engine to avoid cracking the internal oil pump gear.
• Fluid level must be checked using a highly specific temperature-sensitive procedure strictly between 30°C (86°F) and 50°C (122°F) with the engine running and the vehicle level.
• Plastic oil pan bolts must be torqued in a specific criss-cross sequence to exactly 10 Nm (88 in-lbs) to prevent warping, cracking, or stripping.
• Exhaust crossover pipe must be lowered; exhaust flange bolts are highly prone to seizing and snapping and should be treated with penetrating oil.
• Driveshaft bolts connecting to the transfer case and axles are often single-use torque-to-yield and must be replaced.

Easy to get right once you know them:

• Using incorrect fluid such as standard ATF+4 or generic multi-vehicle synthetic fluid instead of Mopar 8 & 9 Speed / ZF Lifeguard 8 fluid.
• Assuming the unit is plug-and-play and failing to perform the required VIN programming, resulting in the transmission locking in Park or entering limp mode.
• Skipping the transmission cooler and line flush, which washes old debris and metal shavings directly into the replacement unit.
• Checking the fluid level with the engine turned off, which causes severe underfilling and immediate clutch damage.
• Reusing the old plastic pan and clogged integrated filter instead of installing a brand-new assembly.

Not issues with the units on this page — the manufacturer documented these for every transmission of this family, wherever you buy one. Handy for your installer: