Transmission problems

jason96r · May 22, 2012

I looked at a 1997 Dodge Dakota 4X4 with 5.2L V8 today. Shop said they will take $1500 for the vehicle.

The vehicle starts and runs fine but they said it had a transmission problem. I didn't take it down the road but it goes into 1st and rear just fine and even 4X4 Hi and Low. While driving it some in their yard it shifted up and down into 2nd just fine but they say once the transmission warms up it will slip.

Pulled the dip stick and fluid was pink and did not smell burnt. As I said 4WD even works and shifted in and out of that just fine. Now the yard the shop had for me to drive around in wasn't large enough for me to get it to shift until I put it into 4WD low and it shifted fine up into 2nd and down into 1st.

I don't know much about these trucks and I was wondering if this Dakota would be worth spending the money on. Really I am not very well of financially but would like a 4X4 truck I can haul my Barracuda with.

Thank you in advance for your help.

yellowdak360 · May 22, 2012

Offer them 500 bucks and go from there. because worst case scenario a full trans rebuild is 1500-2000 or it could be a simple sensor. It is definately worth buying if the engine is solid and its not full of rust

jason96r · May 22, 2012

Yeah engine and body is very solid. Bed is a bit rusty. I was surprised at $1500 to be honest. As I live in Ohio and trucks like that can go for quite a bit with working 4X4.

His mechanic has a transfer case and transmission for the truck he said he's sell for $100 he wants to buy it but they would never give him a price on the truck.

With the ability to buy an already pulled transmission for $100 it seems like it's a no lose. I know Mopars but older ones with 904's, 727's, and A833 not the newer transmissions though I know the problems with owners putting wrong fluid in them.

yellowdak360 · May 22, 2012

yeah these trans went to shit when they went to electronics all a 46re is the front half is a 727 the back half is the 600 dollars in sensors in the valve body i had to replace :funny:

yellowdak360 · May 22, 2012

i mean i wouldnt go over 1000 but if there gonna be dicks and want 1200 then just purchase it

yellowdak360 · May 22, 2012

i had to have a full rebuild at 80k ($1800) two years later the overdrive clutches burnt out (900) had the trk since 2003 with 67k only at 110k now

yellowdak360 · May 22, 2012

are you far from the university of northwestern ohio school? www.unoh.edu got a buddie that goes there he could rebuild that bitch for you parts only at the schools shop he asked if i had a spare trans he could rebuild for free.. lol

jason96r · May 22, 2012

I never actually heard of that school though I don't live far from Lima. I even have the same area code. Thanks for the help. Just noticed you are from Detroit. Go Lions, Tigers, and Wolverines!!!

yellowdak360 · May 22, 2012

yeah he is going for his degree in automotive technology, he is 20 years old goes to school there. works at a factory in lima..drives to mi every weekend to work as a bus boy and at my dads car shop..I wish i had that much drive at 20 years young!

yellowdak360 · May 22, 2012

he still stays at his moms next door to my dad, hes like my brother i never had known his family since before he even exsisted..haha wow i feel old at 26

jason96r · May 22, 2012

Yeah I'm 30 now and wouldn't do that. Heck my Barracuda is at a bodyshop where the owner will do for hardly anything, basically cost of parts, as long as I do most work. I can barely drag myself there. I had healthy problems and work long hours when I do work. Now I've had my neck surgery and should be good.

These trucks any good at towing?? Being they are mid size truck just wondering.

Barracuda is an A-body. Weighs 3287lbs and my trailer was 1800lbs but it was covered in heavy snow when I got it weighed.

yellowdak360 · May 22, 2012

It should be good at towing..get a different cam to get even more low end keep the stock keg manifold, gut the cat and put on a 40 dollar thrush muffler. Go fast in the cuda

jason96r · May 22, 2012

Yeah, the Barracuda has the real money thrown at it.

Are the Magnums similar compared to LA 318's? Cam, lifters, and I'd pull heads and replace springs and of course head gaskets while I am at it.

yellowdak360 · May 22, 2012

as far as i know the cam lifters springs and heads are similar but different enough to not bolt down

jason96r · May 22, 2012

I went with standard iron "J" heads on my 360. I do think magnum heads need modified some but as long as the Magnum is as straightforward as the LA style should be pretty easy for me.

Will see how it goes another few weeks may end up picking that truck up.

Thank you for the help.

jason96r · May 22, 2012

If I got this truck it would be an easy transition.

I know about 4X4/offroad because I have a Jeep Cherokee.

I definitely know the drivetrain. Doing some looking. I saw people talking about a M1 I have a M1 singleplane on my Barracuda. A mention of purpleshaft I know that would be referring to Mopar Performance camshaft, I have a 292/508 in my 360.

yellowdak360 · May 22, 2012

yeah the M1 is good if your looking for upper rpm power. you lose low end grunt when you change the manifold and to get back the low end you have to get a throttle body full headers and exhaust

wyrmrider · May 23, 2012

cam ,lifters, pushrods, rockers, valves all different between LA and Magnum
M1 is most likely a bad idea unless you go to a looser converter and lower gears
not for slow speed 4x4 or towing
It's a hot street piece
someone else gave good advice on keeping the keeger unless you want to make a lot of changes- which does not appear to be in your budget

yellowdak360 · May 23, 2012

Yeah he just wants to go fast in the cuda, i wish i had a real muscle car

jason96r · May 23, 2012

Yeah my response about cams and M1 single plane is because my 360 in Barracuda is fully modded.

Truck would just be driver and something to tow the Barracuda with.

Transmission problems

jason96r

yellowdak360

jason96r

yellowdak360

yellowdak360

yellowdak360

yellowdak360

jason96r

yellowdak360

yellowdak360

jason96r

yellowdak360

jason96r

yellowdak360

jason96r

jason96r

yellowdak360

wyrmrider

yellowdak360

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