I know I`m a long way from it yet, but I was considering one day putting an overdrive unit on my truck. Does anybody here have one on a 1st gen truck? Would it be worth the money? Since the a727 is not an overdrive transmission, it seens like a good way to get a little better highway mileage and gain some gearing options.

 

Hopefully this is relevant, not sure if the '88 used any electronics for the transmission.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen-ram-tech/155612-need-help-picking-an-od-transmission-for-my-84-d-150-a.html

 

The Gear Vendors doesn't work with 4wd. If you come up with a 4x4 non electronic 518, it's around $1700 to get it rebuilt, plus drive shaft mods. Lotta trouble for 2-3 mpg at least IMO. Make the truck nasty,buy a Neon for mileage.

 

I think they have one for late model 4X4s, but I didn`t see one for anything older than 94. That`s ok, that neon won`t drag that Ramcharger. My truck won`t either if I don`t find a job pretty soon. www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB2OQDElR1g Just in case you need a reminder.

 

Watched thet video twiced. Ruint my socks both times a crappin' in my boots. Scarier'n my wife with no make up at 5:30 in the mornin'. What happened to the job in Beaumont?

 

Doing a little research into the O/D myself. GearVendors is around $2700, US Gear O/D is around $1700. The 46RH/RE from a early '90's up truck is an O/D trans with lock up converter and is based on the 727, so it will bolt right up, and be cheaper than an external O/D unit.

 

Did GV start making one that replaces the trans/transfer case adapter? Called 'em awhile back, told me the GV wasn't available for 4x4 apps. I know why, just wondering if they'd come up with one.

 

That job didn`t work out. I guess I`ll keep looking. May have to fall back on my "other" career. And you should be scared, your vehicle is no match for my precision machine.

 

All a518's have electronically controlled 4th and lockup (if it has lockup). The early ones are governor controlled but still use solenoids to control 4th and lockup. To use an early 518 you would have to figure out how to control O/D and Lockup. If youre good with wiring you could set something up so they are controlled on a switch, have two switches one for 4th and one for lockup. Kinda like having O/D on demand.