Hello,

I looked on the forum but couldn't find an answer.

I have the A535/NP2500 in my 88 Dakota 2wd. My casing has a crack which causes a small leak, I am having trouble finding a replacement gearbox so what I want to know is if there is a more obtainable alternative?

AX-15 etc?

Any input would be most welcome

Thanks

 

I'd try checking car-part.com and see if there's a boneyard that can ship you a replacement.

There are other replacements you could use, all the way up to a NP-4500, but they will require some modification (maybe a different driveshaft, etc.)

RwP

 

Mine is a 87 4wd that came with the NV2500. I swapped to a NV3500. I will list what I believe you need to be aware of.
1. Dakota and Ram are different. (shifter location)
2. Going with a NV3500 you will need a flywheel, and clutch assy. flywheel cover. fork, etc. the slave cylinder fit from the 87.
3. Going with a AX15 in addition to above, you will need a clutch housing.
4. I made a mount to adapt the transmission to the old mount. Some dakota's are different.
5. Be aware if you need a speedo. hook up. Some of the newer trans do not have them. Its fed off of the diff.
6. Get the shifter assy, as its different.

Thats all I can think of, off the top of my head.

FWIW I did a write up on my conversion. https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...th-nv3500.html

If there is any questions I may be able to answer, hit me up!

 

Thanks Ragtop I appreciate the info and input.

 

Thanks for the specifics, I'll read through your conversion as this is probably something I'm going to end up doing.

As for NV3500 I read in another post that they began using them behind the 3.9 in 2000, but if I look that up on car-part.com the 2000 V6 is supposed to be different from 2001-04, which seems odd unless they did a significant gear change in 2001 etc.

Any idea why the 2000 NV3500 would be different or what it was? I ask because that trans appears to be less expensive than the ones later from 2001-04, just want to make sure that the 2000 Dak V6 did in fact get the NV3500.

This trans swap will likely happen next spring if I can gather all I need, the same time my ext cab goes from 6.5 to 8' bed.

Steve

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenlloyd

Thanks for the specifics, I'll read through your conversion as this is probably something I'm going to end up doing.

As for NV3500 I read in another post that they began using them behind the 3.9 in 2000, but if I look that up on car-part.com the 2000 V6 is supposed to be different from 2001-04, which seems odd unless they did a significant gear change in 2001 etc.

Any idea why the 2000 NV3500 would be different or what it was? I ask because that trans appears to be less expensive than the ones later from 2001-04, just want to make sure that the 2000 Dak V6 did in fact get the NV3500.

This trans swap will likely happen next spring if I can gather all I need, the same time my ext cab goes from 6.5 to 8' bed.

Steve

Steve, I suspect it may be when they switched from a manual shift transfer case to the electric shift. FWIW they did not put the bosses on the newer trans. to mount the transfer case shifter.

 

I'm sorry, I should have been clearer, I was refering to 4x2, so RWD 5 speed transmissions.

Steve A

 

Hey Steve,
not sure of the differences, but
1. maybe speedo. hook up? At some point they changed it to the rear end.
2. watch for 3.7 + 4.7 versions, vs 3.9 + 5.2 versions. The bell housing for the engine is the same, but the bottom side where the flywheel cover bolts on is different.
3. Be sure to get the shifter. Its different.
4. the AX-15 and NV3500 use a larger flywheel, different clutch, etc. I was able to use the orig. clutch slave cyl.
5. I made a plate to adapt my old mount to the NV3500.

Cant think of anything else, but let me know if I can help in any way.