So I have a 1992 dodge Dakota sport v6 2wd and I am having an issue that I can’t quite figure out, when speeding up or climbing a hill I have a feeling of a gear or something that’s acting like it’s skipping, but the differential doesn’t feel odd and the transmission isn’t shifting weird, I do plan on replacing the center carrier bearing in the driveline but I don’t think that will fix it, I also haven’t had the chance to open the differential up yet due to working long hours at work, I’m not driving the Dakota to work, so any help would be appreciated

 

Are you hearing any noises?

 

I'm not hearing any noises, just just feels like it’s missing teeth or a bearing is going out, but the differential is still up to spec, I can’t figure out why it feels like that. I’m going to be taking the diff cover off this coming weekend.

 

Automatic trans??? Could it be an engine misfire??? With TCC locked, in O/D, that can hit pretty hard, especially on a six....

 

it’s a manual 5 speed and the engine for it’s age runs amazing

 

Yeah, direct mechanical connection from engine to tires....

Might pull the plugs, and have a look....

 

I wonder if the wheels are properly balanced? My old man had this happen on his rig.

 

Plugged or partly plugged cat? Leak around the intake-cracked vacuum line(s)?

 

Best advise I can give is to get it in the air and safely support it with jack stands or blocks, then inspect everything.

You say you will replace the carrier bearing, you do not say why .... I assume you think it is bad.
My experience with carrier bearings is the rubber gets old and breaks free from the housing .... or a bearing actually freezes up and no longer spins.
Either way if the carrier bearing is bad, the drive line will flip flop around while the bearing housing holds it in place .... It's a mess and will cause some strange driving issues.

If you know the carrier bearing is bad, I would start there .... while having the drive line out I also would probably replace the u-joints just because.
Who wants to return to a drive line issue 6 months later replacing u-joints, when you just had it out .... they do not cost much either. .... also a frozen u-joint will cause strange issues.

Always good to change the rear end oil if the vehicle is new to you and no idea the previous maintenance schedule .... same with the transmission fluid.
I would concentrate on finding the issue first ...... while you are at it and can get all 4 wheels off the ground and check the front end while at it .... well worth the effort.
Almost guarantee the front wheel bearings need repacked with grease, you can inspect the condition of the brakes and the tie rods, just general issues and make mental notes of future needs for the truck.

I realize I probably sound a little **** about doing maintenance on your old 1992 Dakota .... they are great trucks. I had a 1994 I believe it had a 3.9 V6 that was a awesome engine.
The manual 5spd is a great transmission .... I wonder which transmission yours has, Dodge used a NV3500 in some of it's trucks.

I have a 1991 Chevrolet 1/2 ton truck with a 350/NV3500 5spd. It has 432K miles on it, motor and rear end has been changed ... not sure about transmission .... truck has been maintained and I could drive it anywhere I want to go.

I also have a 1993 Dodge Caravan that was the wife mother, when she passed it was handed down to the wife ..... We have owned it for 8 years and it has been maintained also.
While I just installed a used $750 engine in it and working a few bugs out .... it too could drive anywhere I would want to go.
There in my opinion is nothing wrong with driving a well maintained 1990's vehicle .... and much cheaper then a car payment and full coverage insurance.