Looking for the "BEST" and most "DURABLE" 5 speed for a 2 wheel drive Dak
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Registered User
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 4
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From: Autryville,NC (outside Ft. Bragg)
Looking for the "BEST" and most "DURABLE" 5 speed for a 2 wheel drive Dak
I hope this is the correct section to ask this, so here it goes. My brother has a 1992 Dakota v6 2 wheel drive, we believe the trans is toast. It currently should have an AX-15 Aisin-Warner 5spd. Fact or Opinion; What is the best trans for this truck, it is daily A-B with some hauling and towing. Daily interstate around Atlanta. Good truck just need to repair/upgrade somethings.
Would consider a 6speed depending on interchangeability verses mods needed, will it be cost efficient now and will it increase pulling power, how will it effect the fuel mileage. All just things we need to keep in mind.
Any help is appreciated, Thanks jdb
Would consider a 6speed depending on interchangeability verses mods needed, will it be cost efficient now and will it increase pulling power, how will it effect the fuel mileage. All just things we need to keep in mind.
Any help is appreciated, Thanks jdb
All Star
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 941
Likes: 22
From: Connecticut
What I've read online while contemplating where to go with my V8 swap is that the AX-15 and the NV3500 are apparently not too different with respect to torque ratings. Both are way more than the 3.9 requires. I have read about the synchro problems with the AX-15, and the consensus seems to be that the NV3500 is generally more reliable. Some NV3500s have lower first gear ratios (4.01:1) than the AX-15 (3.83:1), but some have higher (3.49:1)...per the factory Dakota service manual. The other gear ratios aren't much different. I feel like the AX-15 1st gear ratio is as low as I'd want to go...I start in 2nd gear much of the time. Obviously other trannys from different makes (e.g. Jeep) may have different ratios.
I'm not sure that a beefier transmission like an NV4500 would be any help as durability is the concern, not strength (both AX-15 and NV3500 are plenty strong enough for a V6).
In the end, it's a 23 year old truck. Sure, you want a reliable trans, but there's not much point in going super overkill because other stuff on the truck is still 23 years old. Those are just my thoughts...I'm certainly not the best one to give advice on this topic though. And I'm not sure how much modification you want to do and I don't know anything about 6 speed (Getrag???) swaps.
Good luck...I'm sure someone more helpful will chime in.
I'm not sure that a beefier transmission like an NV4500 would be any help as durability is the concern, not strength (both AX-15 and NV3500 are plenty strong enough for a V6).
In the end, it's a 23 year old truck. Sure, you want a reliable trans, but there's not much point in going super overkill because other stuff on the truck is still 23 years old. Those are just my thoughts...I'm certainly not the best one to give advice on this topic though. And I'm not sure how much modification you want to do and I don't know anything about 6 speed (Getrag???) swaps.
Good luck...I'm sure someone more helpful will chime in.
Last edited by tbugden; Jan 28, 2015 at 07:17 PM.
Champion
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4,737
Likes: 374
From: Northwest Louisiana
If you DO go 6 speed, or are considering it, be sure to check out what Tremec (the folks who soaked up New Venture back in the day) offers nowadays.
There's even folks who can bundle the transmisison, the bell housing, the transmission mount, and possibly even a crossmember plus driveshaft!
RwP
There's even folks who can bundle the transmisison, the bell housing, the transmission mount, and possibly even a crossmember plus driveshaft!
RwP