Thread: Dakota tranny question

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Here' a question for the tranny guru's
I have a '91 ext cab Dakota with auto trans and overdrive and 150 on the clock. It's a little sluggish shifting when it's cold and I think the filter and fluid need to be changed which is not a problem, but the owners manual informs me that there is no drain plug on the torque converter. Would I get enough fluid out by dropping the pan? What do you suggest I refill it with. Once the truck warms up it shifts fairly well, but it's just not as smooth as I think it should be. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Originally posted by NTFDAY
Here' a question for the tranny guru's
I have a '91 ext cab Dakota with auto trans and overdrive and 150 on the clock. It's a little sluggish shifting when it's cold and I think the filter and fluid need to be changed which is not a problem, but the owners manual informs me that there is no drain plug on the torque converter. Would I get enough fluid out by dropping the pan? What do you suggest I refill it with. Once the truck warms up it shifts fairly well, but it's just not as smooth as I think it should be. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

none of the new ones put a plug in the conv. any more, the fluid dont break down like it used to. the filters get hard and dirty and need to be changed more than anything else. id drop the pan change the filter, and fill it back up with what ever the manf. said use. won't hurt to put a can if slickum in it, but not the overhaul stuff.

Thanks, Mike I appreciate the advice. What would you say to a quart of Lucas?

Originally posted by NTFDAY
Thanks, Mike I appreciate the advice. What would you say to a quart of Lucas?

that should work

Thanks again, Mike

My 92 Dakota V8 just turned over 170K. I change the tranny fluid and filter every 50K.

The transmissions in these trucks have a reputation for failing if you are not carefull about locking out OD when hauling loads or towing.

I had some shifting problems at 140K Turned out to be the speed sensor. Dealer was the only part source and it was over $100.

Bib, what kind of gas mileage are you getting with yours? So far the best I've managed is 13, some city some highway.
The guy I bought mine from hauled a lot of walnuts and lord only knows what else, but in 3 months it hasn't leaked or used any oil to speak of and it appears he took pretty good care of it. BTW, he was the original owner and right before I bought it he had to put in a new brain and coil. So far my biggest problem has been squeaky rear brakes.

The reason that there is no drain plug on the torque converter is because the lock up clutch in the converter is actually a clutch material that is bonded to the inside face of the unit. That's right where the drain plug used to be. I've been a Chrysler tech for 37 years and have been doing tranny work for about 30 now. The best thing you can do is drop the pan, change the filter and refill. Then go and find a reputable shop that has a trans flush machine (almost all dealerships have them). Have your transmissiom flushed, if you go to the dealer they will use ATF4 fluid, which is the best quality and what you want. If you go to an independent shop be sure to tell them you want ATF4 fluid. This isn't a cheap service (about 150 bucks where I work) but well worth the money. If done right it is like giving your transmission a transfusion. All the fluid (including torque converter) will be exchanged with fresh fluid. Remember that this is a service and not a cure for a sick trans. If you drop the pan and find some metal filings in it that's okay. If you find a gold or silver mine in the pan, an maybe some pieces of broken snap ring or chunks of aluminum, then you had better be prepared to pull the unit, but that's another issue on an early Dakota. If you need to pull the trans let me know. There are some tricks to getting it out (if it's 4WD God help you), and if anyone tells you it's not a problem, they've never don the job. Good luck, Ken

essexrodder, thank you very much for the input and advice, I appreciate it. Since my garage is not heated and it's damned cold I'm putting it off till Wednesday when it's supposed to be warmer. I'l get back then.

Ken

Originally posted by NTFDAY
essexrodder, thank you very much for the input and advice, I appreciate it. Since my garage is not heated and it's damned cold I'm putting it off till Wednesday when it's supposed to be warmer. I'l get back then.

Ken

been doing dodge trannys since 88 and the biggest problem with them is owners dont change the atf properly , i do mine every 30000 miles. most tranny shops and dealers dont tell you that the valve body in dodge pickups with overdrive get dirty and tranny service and a can of trans tune by seafoam will fix bad shifts them going into gear till certain rpm. most dodge pickup trannys used the same clutchs that are used in a 727. the trans tune will lube the valves in the valve body i would not use thick tranny additve in dodge overdrive trannys they dont like that. sometimes just cleaning out the governer helps the shifting problem a easy way to do that is drive in reverse for a short distance and if your truck is a four wheel drive put the tranfer case in neutral and put in reverse and rev it up,dont go to park when doing this just the truck off in gear then start back up. use dextron plus three atf. i have done this to many trannys and saved alot guys 1800.00 dollars, i was burned on thinking a tranny was bad once and when i took it apart i found nothing wrong, i dont like fixing stuff that theres nothing wrong but theres places that will and not blink a eye