Chrysler did use this transmission in quite a few vehicles but they won’t all interchange because of case differences and different electronics. Your transmission is a 42RH, also known as an A500. I think you’ll be limited to a 94 or 95 Dakota or Ram with a 3.9L engine. Yours should have an output speed sensor while earlier ones have a cable and speed sensor combo which could create swapping problems. Most salvage yards know what interchanges with what.

Good luck and let us know what you find out.

 

Case differences? All a500 and a518 have the same bolt pattern up front. The 518 will be more common as it is in full size trucks as well. You can use either, but the 518 is a bit longer so you will need to get the correct driveshaft....
As long as you stay 95 and older (89 was first year, I think) you will the hydraulic type. In 96 they started using the electric shift version. You don't want that. Junkyards in my area will guarantee used parts if you pay a little extra, worth it with something like this. If it doesn't work, you can take it back and get another.

 

Not trying to be argumentative here but Dodge used the A500 in the small D50 pickup in the early 90's. It was behind a 3.0L V6 and 2.4L 4cyl and used a different case. They also used an A500 in a Jeep with a 4.0L starting in 1994 and that case was different as well, but I’m pretty sure they were all electronic (they started using the electronic units in Jeeps before they used them in Dodges). My parts catalog also show's the speedometer housing /output speed sensor on the overdrive unit changed in 1994 which might cause problems.

 

I am aware that the tranny was used elsewhere, but when we go to the junkyards to pull or buy a used tranny, we go looking under the hoods of Dodge vehicles, right? It would have been nice for Chrysler to make a removeable bell housing on auto trannies, but they didn't...

 

Yes, there are differences in the cases. I'm not even talking about differences with one being behind a non-magnum Chyrsler engine (3.9, 5.2, 5.9). Even in the Jeeps with magnum engines, the starter is on the other side of the passenger side of the bellhousing whereas our Dodge trucks has it on the driver's side. That makes the transmission unuseable in our trucks.

 

the speed sensor and cables should be swappable...i did it with my truck when i swapped transmissions (assuming its 2wd) the sensor(or cable/combo) is being held in on the tail housing of the transmission by a bolt, once the bolt is removed the sensor should need a tiny bit of force to pull out(depending on how clean the area is). just don't switch the little plastic gear on the ends, they aren't swappable.

 

Actually, the plastic gears are swappable between the same year sensors. The gear changes relate to calibration.... i.e. rear end gear and tire size differences. If you change the gear in the sensor, the assembly needs to be clocked different in the tailhousing to mesh properly. There is a procedure for clocking the speed sensor in the FSM.

 

Well, obviously you guys know Dakota's. Thanks for all the replies. I'm starting my hunt for a used transmission, been many years since I swapped a tran's but I'm pretty sure I can do it. Will let you know the results.

Again, thanks for all the help and support. This forum is a great friend when your standing there with that lost look in your eyes.

Ron

 

oh...good...i never knew that..
when i did my tranmission swap i found that the little plastic gear off the electronic speed sensor was shorter than my cable driven one, but i guess thats because it was a ram and dakota one huh? well, good to know...

btw, good luck with that transmission swap...

 

All I've been able to find is a 1996 Dakota Transmission for my 94, but I don't think this will work? Anyone know for sure?

Thanks again
Ron