Hey, I was wondering which models of dodge 318 trucks were available with 5 spd trannys? I think that there were a few dakotas around with this and also 4 spd rams but I'm not entirely sure. Thanks for any info!

 

i dont believe any of the old dakotas came with a stick v-8 but it would be easy to do!!! get a 4I or v-6 that is stick and drop a v-8 in and swap the tranny for a beefier one!! then throw a 8.25" or 8.75" rearend in it and pawsi it... that is the way to go if u want a stick one... i myself am going to do the v-8 swap but im puting an auto in it just want it for towing and for a quick truck thats all...

 

So.... a standard tranny off of a v6 or 4 banger 1st gen dakota would fit onto a 318? What would I have to use for a computer??
I already have pawsi on my dak so I'm good to go for that. Thanks for the help so far!!

 

um i dont think the 4 banger will bolt up but the v-6 should bolt up cuz its a 318 with 2 pistons chopped off and well the computer mite not be needed i dunno but i would get a v-8 computer cuz i believe it has different settings for the v-8 but yeah i dont know much but from what i have read this is what i have got if someone else would chim in it would be nice

 

Yea thats right, a 4cyl tranny wont fit a 318, but the v6 one will. Depending on if you ar erunning fuel injection or a carbouretor, depends on if you need a computer.

 

I would be running a 318 fuel injection, so would I just use the 318 computer and somehow wire in the standard tranny? Last question lol

 

um u shouldnt have any wires going to the tranny just the speedo cable and as for the 318 what year is it if its muli port injection in stead of throttle body injection then u have to do something diff i dunno what tho some other guys mite help its easy to do it with a carb'ed 318 i know that...

 

I think 94-95 you could get a 318 with a 5 speed manual in the Dakota. After that it went automatic. I might be off on the years, but it was a factory option. Bill White had a 408 powered one.

 

You'd be better off getting the truck with a 318 already in it, forgetting about the stick, and sending the tranny off to B&M or someone like that. You also have to get the clutch linkage, the pedal, the hydrualics, and possbly a change in the exhaust fitment. By the time you're done, you'll have just as much money in it and still have an old tranny. Oh, Yea, a flywheel too, new clutch assembly and pilot bearing. You can have the automatic rebuilt to stock spec, new front pump, and valve body setup for manual shifting or simply a modified shift. Plus not all the headache of the re-fitment, or subsequent down time. Oh, yah, the output shaft on the drive line is different and its probably a different length too. Been there, Done that, on an old mustang I once had. 67 big block. Took weeks to get done, and I had most off the stuff I needed. Oh,yah, you have to get the right shifter and cut a hole in the floor board for correct fitment, and it won't be the same as the automatic--not even close.

Hate to rain on your parade, but better to see harsh reality up front before you're *** deep in the project and wishing you hadn't gone that route.

Good Luck!!!

 

lol yeah I know all this and that have to be done but my intentions for the truck is to garage it and make it a project for a year or however long this will all take. That is after I buy another truck for my main vehicle. Even if I ever do accomplish all this I'll just put more money into it one way or another, I just wanted to get some ideas for the parts I will be wanting to keep an eye out for this future project. But yeah thanks for letting me know of some of the things I'll be needing!