2001 Dakota 5.9L
4 speed auto w/overdrive
No second gear (revs out in first and then shifts strait to third)
No Reverse gear

what are my options. swap and replacement?

 

1. Rebuild it
2. Get A New One
3. get a used one.

There is a few articles on rebuilding it. If you rebuild it i suggest building it for better shifts ect.. The no second gear is to do with a band out. Guessing contamination caused this. And the no reverse I think has to do with just reverse. But it could also be limp mode. Have you tried checking the fluid in neutral? Also does it smell burnt? Color ect.. Next Step drop the pan and post some pics up. If it looks clean and no metal There maybe hope.

 

just got my transmission rebuilt last week. same exact symptoms. cost me about $1800

 

Cheapest option? haha I'm a college student.

 

same here, it hurt. ill be borrowing text boxs this session.

 

I think someone may have found me a used one for free but not positive yet..keeping my fingers crossed

 

The cheapest option would probably replacing with a used transmission.
However, this is not the wisest option, either (as most "cheapest options" are not -- I've found this out the hard way MANY times, lol).
Who's to say this won't happen in a short time-span on your new-to-you used transmission. (And by used, I mean, not rebuilt)

Also, replacing a transmission is not something I'd love to do again down the road.
Basically, if you simply can't afford to (1) to rebuild your transmission, (2) buy a new-to-you rebuilt unit, or (3) buy a brand-new unit.... I'd try my best to save up, and stay away from a used unit.

I know brand-new or freshly rebuilt isn't an option for all budgets, but it's good if you remember, this day will come again. No matter which option you go with, just make sure you take care of it.

 

I say rebuild it yourself. allocate 3-4 days and work hard on it and be pacient. I plan on rebuilding a 46re with 47re internals to handle around 800 hp so i won't have any more issues with any of it. meaning alto reds, bigger od ect... this tranny will have max number of clutch packs and in the end cost me 700 bucks in parts, but 1000 total including my new tranny.

 

I'm thinking about buying a used one and beefing it up a bit so it lasts longer...I've only found two in my state so far.. Mine did pretty good though 140k on it

 

Well, I would drop your pan and check it out first before buying another one. Check and see whats wrong. It may just need new clutch packs and a band or two everything else may be fine.