hey guys im new to this forum, i have a 1990 dodge dakota 3.9l auto 3 speed i want to swap for the overdrive trans. im not sure what trucks i can take the trans from, will the newer dakotas 91-96 be a direct fit A500,42rh nobody can give me a direct answer. thanks

 

your truck should have the 4 speed a500. i thought it was standard after 1989. so you should already have overdrive......??? as for the magnum and a500 i wouldnt trust it if it hasnt been rebuilt...........i have heard people say you can use it and i have heard people say dont bother with it, so im not sure about that one

 

i know its supposed to have the overdrive trans but mine has the A904 three speed or A9 somthing, i looked the numbers on the trans up the motor and the trans are not orignal to the truck

 

From what experience I've had and from reading a little online i think you should be able to put in a 42RH just so long as any plugs match up. The bolt pattern shouldn't be a problem either. I'm pretty sure my 89 Dakota with the 3.9 has the 42RH. All the wiring for OD should be there since your truck originally had it.

 

i would consider going to the 46rh and possibly a magnum engine if you got the cash. the 46 is considerably stronger and with the upgrades you can get for it it can be made very reliable for not a huge chunk of change. a guy here at work has a 91 5.2 with the 42rh (yes it is stock we checked the options list on it via dealerconnect) and he's about $350 into it with the upgrades and will be done soone (just have to get it pushed back in on a slow day) i've got a 96 with the 46re and it's been bullet proof for the 20k i've had it. it's worked hard to. towing big trucks around (10,000 lb up the hill in the hill behind the shop) a 3000 lb camper on occasion. and i've used it for pulling trees over. it has always engagede a bit odd but on into first. it's never slipped and has always pulled hard and shiffted firm. it was built a while ago (before i got it) and it was updated. it's not a hard swap either. they are very similar in size.
if you are dropping the coin for it though i'd consider the upgrade.

 

thanks i apreciate the input, yeah i would love to swap to a 318 but i just dont have the money for it. that will be the next dakota i get, you cant go wrong with a 235 horse magnum couple of simple bolt ons, and your lookin at high powered little truck