I had heard of Mopar transmissions going out much earlier than other mfg's.

Was there a period and or configuration when this was true? If so what was it? i.e. 1995 to 1997 4wd 2500's only with 360 engines etc...

I'm trying to separate fact from fiction on Dodges RAM's and trans issues.

 

Supposedly in '96 and '97 they firmed up the shifts to cut down on clutch wear. These were supposed to be the "good" ones. I just trashed my the one in my '97 at 78,000 miles, so I'll be the first to say they're junk. I've taken immaculate care of it, flushed the fluid and changed the filter every 20,000 miles religiously, blew out the cooling system every time, never abused the truck. Then out of the blue last month it doesn't shift out of 2nd, up or down.

Mine is a '97 4wd 2500 with the 360 and all the heavy duty equipment packages. That trans is just a pile. I'm in the middle of yanking the damn thing out and replacing it with a 1 ton 5-speed manual.

 

I have a friend that had his trans go at 90,000. Never changed his fluid and towed a 25 ft trailer every weekend and basically beat it pretty bad. I also have heard that many of the problems are have to do with people using the wrong transmission fluid. Anybody else hear this.

 

go here for more info on the problems w/the tranny... http://www.apsprecision.com/ they build bullet proof tranny's from what I've read from those who have installed them. It is also recommended that you get the biggest tranny cooler you can to keep the temp down.

 

I lost 1st gear in my 02 1500 5.9L at 26,000 miles.. Hoooray Warranty

My wifes friend just lost her tranny completely in her 01 or 02 durango

So i am gonna state that the Tranny on the Dodges have problems... and i may be replacing mine before too long

 

ive got a 96 1500 2wheel drive. v6. auto. at almost 100 000 KM and not a problem. maybe a couple times a month it feels wierd going into 3rd, but its hardly noticeable....

ive had many people tell me to stay away from dodge because their transmissions suck and they guzzle gas... needless to say i love my 96 dodge ram.

 

Yah, but with the v6 you don't have enough power to break anything. And 100,000 Km is only 62,000 Mi. Put a Cummins or a 360 in front of that auto, use it like a truck is meant to be used, and it won't hold up. I think I know 2 people who have had the auto last over 100,000 miles, and neither of them work the truck at all, it's just a highway driver.

 

I would assume (maybe wrongfully so) that the auto trans with the V6 is not identical to the trans with the 360 or Hemi.

If there's a trans expert here that could shed some light on OEM trans and engine combinations, it seems it would clear up alot of confusion.

Thanks for any info

 

I have a '02 1500 4.7L auto 3.55 that just turned 30K. Just did a 1200 mile trip to FL, and I noticed that there was a metallic sound coming from the bell housing. Took it to dodge, seems that a bolt on the torque converter sheared off and the head was bouncing around. They removed the bolt, retapped and put a new bolt in. I don't do brake torque burnouts, but have tromped it good a few times at the red lights. Put 33"s on it. Making me kinda wary to try anything bigger.

 

the few of you that posted in this thread are making me glad I got the 6spd sitting behind my cummins

I have owned only one auto in my life, my old 87 Nissan pickup. totaled her and got the toyota you see to the left, she's a 5spd. enjoyed shifting the gears so much there I decided to give the manual a test run with the truck I got, so far I like it alot. the only thing I have to remember is I have to be easier on the clutch with my toyota and give it a little gas since the engine isnt a torque monster or I'll choke it out[&:]