Transmission rebuild questions

Hello all,

I posted this on Durango forum but no one has replied, I have suspicions that no one does anything over there except put exhaust and cold air intakes on their vehicles. I need some technical help, I know this isn't an A-body but some of you guys really know transmissions. And the 44RE in my Durango is basically an electronically controlled 904 with overdrive.

It's time to finally replace my transmission, I've been without second gear going on 3 years. I have a '99 Durango 2WD 5.2 44RE. There's a guy in my area that's parting out a 2000 Durango (it runs and drives with 193,000 miles, he wants the frame and suspension for some reason) and I plan on rebuilding it and swapping it in place of mine.

The Durango is my DD and I will not be modding the engine for more power but at the same time, I wouldn't mind building the transmission up a little so I will never have to worry about it again. What are the must have parts for rebuilding one of these 44RE's? Is there anything that is a must do since I'll be having the transmission out such as replace all the solenoids and pressure switches? Do the mod to have fluid circulate in park/remove the drain back valve? Should I put in a transgo shift kit on the softest setting?

I have the ATSG 44RE rebuild book on it's way but I didn't find much information on simple and cheap must do mods for the 44RE. There seems to be tons of info out there on the 46/48/518/618 mods but I don't know what carries over to this smaller transmission.

I've looked at Oregon Performance Transmissions, PATC, Makco, and eBay at rebuild kits but I don't really know what's necessary. The Oregon Performance Transmissions one looks like a decent kit. It has Borg Warner clutches and steels. All I would need to add is the second band.

Also on the to do list is replace the freeze plugs in the back of the block since one is weeping but that's neither here nor there.

Any insight would be appreciated.