91 Dakota 5.2L Not sure on tranny. 213000 miles. 4X4. pulling into work tonight, the tranny quit pulling. Pulled to the side of the road and went to put into park and it started grinding. pulled the transfer case into 4 Low and it started pulling again. Pulled into parking lot and tried 4 hi and 2 hi again with no success. Is the tranny gone?

 

It sure sounds like it is. Double check your fluid level, and color and smell. If low add in some, if it has a bad color or smells burnt you could try to change out all the fluid and filter, don't forget the fluid in the lines.

 

Does it seem to have any issues in 4Lo (besides, you know, not being able to go really fast...)?
If 2WD and 4HI don't work, but 4LO works, maybe something is wrong with the transfer case?

 

Sounds more like a transfer case problem. The grinding sound you are hearing when you are in 2wd is the park paw in the transmission.

 

Yea, after further thought, I would say it is the transfer case. It functions fine in Lo, I've been in a transfer case years ago, but don't remember the inside very well. If Lo is functioning properly, the planetary should be okay right?

 

on the 91 they have a rod and not a cable for the tranny, just make sure the adjustment is right, my 89 went crazy and i had to replace the tranny attachment, cost $10 and for some reason they had a bucket full of them.

 

So, what is the physical difference between the 231-D and the 231-J. Having a hard time finding a D locally. are all the internal parts the same, and just the mounting configuration different?

 

I'm not an expert but I believe the input lengthen is shorter on the Jeep version and both outputs are different. You can buy rebuild kits to rebuild yours. Or just take it somewhere to get rebuilt.

Since it only works in 4low does it pull like it normally does or is it still weak and feels like it does slip? If it does still slip I still think the transmission is the problem.