1993 Dodge Dakota 4x4 4wd problem
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1993 Dodge Dakota 4x4 4wd problem
Hello,
I have a close friend that has a 1993 Dakota extended cab 4x4. 3.9L engine with an AX-15 manual tranny. It has about 130,000 miles and the complete drivetrain appears to be original.
The 4wd will not work over about 15mph. As long as he drives slow, there is no issues. If he goes faster, it starts to buck and make noises, even in a straight line (no turning at all).
It appears he has no central axle disconnect on this year, so it looks like the electrical connector on the transfer case just turns the 4X4 light on - the front axles are live all the time, just not being driven by the transfer case until the transfer case is put into 4x4 low or hi.
I am wondering if there is something wrong with the front diff, or if it is the transfer case that might have the issue.
I rebuilt the NP231 on my 1989 s-10 truck, so I am pretty aware what is inside a transfer case, but I just cannot picture what could be giving him the problem in there.
Thanks for any ideas!
dgilfillen
I have a close friend that has a 1993 Dakota extended cab 4x4. 3.9L engine with an AX-15 manual tranny. It has about 130,000 miles and the complete drivetrain appears to be original.
The 4wd will not work over about 15mph. As long as he drives slow, there is no issues. If he goes faster, it starts to buck and make noises, even in a straight line (no turning at all).
It appears he has no central axle disconnect on this year, so it looks like the electrical connector on the transfer case just turns the 4X4 light on - the front axles are live all the time, just not being driven by the transfer case until the transfer case is put into 4x4 low or hi.
I am wondering if there is something wrong with the front diff, or if it is the transfer case that might have the issue.
I rebuilt the NP231 on my 1989 s-10 truck, so I am pretty aware what is inside a transfer case, but I just cannot picture what could be giving him the problem in there.
Thanks for any ideas!
dgilfillen
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Joined: May 2008
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From: Apex, NC
Welcome to DodgeForum!
Are his tires exactly the same size (same brand and model too), evenly worn, evenly aired? I know you said the whole drivetrain looks factory, but is there a chance someone has changed out gears in either the front or rear axle?
I'm with you, I've been inside a few different transfer cases and there's nothing that jumps out at me as being speed dependant as far as a problem goes. Same for the axle.
Are his tires exactly the same size (same brand and model too), evenly worn, evenly aired? I know you said the whole drivetrain looks factory, but is there a chance someone has changed out gears in either the front or rear axle?
I'm with you, I've been inside a few different transfer cases and there's nothing that jumps out at me as being speed dependant as far as a problem goes. Same for the axle.
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I confirmed with him that the tires are exactly the same brand, size, and have the same pressure in all 4.
I did think about the gear ratios. It is hard to tell if the front or rear axles (or diff gears) have ever been changed. I guess the best way to verify is put it up on four jackstands, put it in 4x4, mark the tires with a chalk mark, spin the driveshaft by hand several times, and make sure at least one tire from front and one tire from back move exactly the same number of rotations?
There is one other question I did have about this: his front passenger side frame (not control arm) sway bar bushing is terribly rotted. It actually allowed the sway bar to shift to the left (driver's side) about an inch. Because of the sway bar contour at the control arm end, the left (driver's side) of the truck sags down at least an inch or two. Could this sag be causing the issue? It seems that it would not, but I thought maybe the driveline was in a bind.
I did think about the gear ratios. It is hard to tell if the front or rear axles (or diff gears) have ever been changed. I guess the best way to verify is put it up on four jackstands, put it in 4x4, mark the tires with a chalk mark, spin the driveshaft by hand several times, and make sure at least one tire from front and one tire from back move exactly the same number of rotations?
There is one other question I did have about this: his front passenger side frame (not control arm) sway bar bushing is terribly rotted. It actually allowed the sway bar to shift to the left (driver's side) about an inch. Because of the sway bar contour at the control arm end, the left (driver's side) of the truck sags down at least an inch or two. Could this sag be causing the issue? It seems that it would not, but I thought maybe the driveline was in a bind.
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From: Apex, NC
Yes, do the chalk idea and get back to us! That is the easiest way to tell if the gears are the same.
I highly doubt any kind of sag could be causing it. The way the truck tilts has no effect on how many times the tires have to turn. I had to replace a torsion bar in my truck, and for the year or so it was in there it kept settling every few months and my truck would lean and I'd have to tighten it back up. And I never had a problem with 4x4.
I highly doubt any kind of sag could be causing it. The way the truck tilts has no effect on how many times the tires have to turn. I had to replace a torsion bar in my truck, and for the year or so it was in there it kept settling every few months and my truck would lean and I'd have to tighten it back up. And I never had a problem with 4x4.
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: middle of texas
check the transmission mount it might be broken the way to tell is if you put a jack under the tranny if it lifts it or not i busted mine 2 months ago when i overloaded it trying to get out of a bog its an easy enough fix if you have a welder if not its a $50 part at advanced and the 4x4 auto tranny mount will fit the 4x4 manual mount