I want to get the correct flex plate for my 95 Dakota 4x4 with magnum v8 and aod trans. The trans was rebuilt 1000 miles ago and the flex plate came apart. I don't want to put in a cheap flex plate after all the work of getting the trans out. I don' want to do that again ever. I'll have to order it as the parts people don't have them on hand. Suggestions?

 

Aftermarket should be okay. Or check out Craigslist. I've spot checked compatability, and they are interchangeable at least 94 to 98. I have a spare, but by the time I add shipping, you might just as well get one from Autozone or O'reilly's, etc. BTW, I tried Rockauto, and couldn't find one listed.

I think I'd pull the motor to get to the flexplate, btw. And change out the front and rear main seals & pan gasket, motor mounts, and do a quick oil pan cleanup while I had it out. Pulling an engine in a carport, garage, or driveway is a lot more manageable than pulling the trannie/transfer case, imho.

If you can plan your job a week or two in advance, get your seals and motor mounts from Rockauto. The motor mounts are priced about half what O'reilly's charges for exactly the same thing. (Be sure to use the 5% discount number you can find online.)

 

when the trans was worked on. did the mech forget to put the alinement dowels in?

 

off all the transmissions ive replaced in my life.. some 1000 + overhauls and rebuilds and reinstalls.... worked in garages all my life... ive never used ann alignment tool on an auto.... only on standard trannny when aligning new clutch.. .. the flex plats is just that used to allow for flex and movementthats why it seems like its made from sheetmetal thin material..

Corect me if im wrong but this was my cases and last tranny I rebuilt was a 95 F150 (dad's) and 250k later (truck 550k) sold it :O


only issue ive ever seen is plate not tightened up properly(torque bolts) or something stuck behind it