I have a 2001 Dakota 2WD 3.9l V6, and I want to rebuild the transmission.

The problem is, I can't find a kit until I know what transmission I have.
I've searched on here for a few hours, and I've seen other people just as clueless in how to find out what transmission is in their Dakota. Most of them were provided with the information they sought.

If you can tell me what kind of transmition is in my truck, great!

However, I think it would be more helpful to know WHERE I can find that out for myself.

I've looked in the owner's manual, the sticker under my hood, in the doorframe, in the glovebox, even in a Haynes Manual. But nothing is providing me with answers, and I would appreciate if someone could share their knowledge with me.

Thanks in advance.

 

So there is no paper taped down on the bottom of the glove box? You can either go to a dodge dealer and have them look up your vin or you can email them(takes about 2 days to get back) All I did was go here http://www.dodge.com/wccsapp/univers...ull&category=U gave them the last 8 digits of the vin and gave them my info and I got a build sheet for the truck.

Found the email this is what you will get back only yours will be diff since its not a ram lol

Cloth 40/20/40 Prem Bench Seat
Med Slate Gray
Quad Cab Big Horn Value Group
Trailer Tow Group
Monotone Paint
136 Amp Alternator
750 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
4 Wheel Disc Rr Anti-Lock Brakes
40/20/40 Split Bench Seat
Front Height Adjust Shoulder Belts
Advanced Multistage Front Air Bags**
Front Seat Area Carpet
Front & Rear Floor Mats
Passenger Assist Handle
Rear 60/40 Split Folding Seat
Rear Underseat Compartment Storage
Overhead Console w/Trip Computer
Front Center Seat Cushion Storage
All 5-Speed Automatic Transmissions
5-Spd Automatic 545RFE Transmission
Elec Shift-on-the-Fly P/Time T/Case
205MM HD Front Axle
3.92 Axle Ratio
Corporate 9.25 LD Rear Axle
Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle
5.7L V8 HEMI MDS Engine
Tinted Glass Windows
Rear Sliding Window
Rear View Day/Night Mirror
Passenger Side Sun Visor w/Mirror
Power Trailer Tow Mirrors, Fold-Away
All Vehicles W/Power Mirrors
Remote Keyless Entry
Sentry Key Theft Deterrent System
Air Conditioning
Hood Insulation
Dash Liner Insulation
Floor Tunnel Insulation
Body Insulation
Instrument Cluster w/Tach
Instr. Panel Color Keyed Bezel
120 MPH Primary Speedometer
Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
Cigar Lighter
Dual Note Electric Horns
12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
Power Accessory Delay
Power Locks
Power Windows, Driver One-Touch
Power Driver Seat
Power 6-Way Driver Seat
Halogen Headlamps
Fog Lamps
Cargo Lamp
Bright Rear Bumper
Body Color Upper Fascia
Bright Front Bumper
Bright/Bright Grille
Ram's Head Badge
4X4 Badge
Removable Tailgate w/Caliper Latches
Front Air Dam
Front Bumper Sight Shields
Bighorn Badge
Federal Emissions
EVAP Control System
26 Gallon Fuel Tank
Auxiliary Transmission Oil Cooler
Speed Control
Electronically Controlled Throttle
Heavy Duty Engine Cooling
Next Generation Engine Controller
Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat
Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat
All Radio Equipped Vehicles
4 Speakers
Fixed Long Mast Antenna
AM/FM Compact Disc Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio
Power Rack and Pinion Steering
Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
Front Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
Rear Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
Front Stabilizer Bar
Tilt Steering Column
Full Size Spare Tire
Tire Carrier Winch
P275/60R20 BSW All Season Tires
Goodyear Brand Tires
20" Steel Spare Wheel
All Aluminum Wheels
Center Hub
20" Aluminum Chrome Clad Wheels
Non Adjustable Pedals
Tip Start
Pickup Box
Class IV Receiver Hitch
7 Pin Wiring Harness
Trailer Tow w/4-Pin Connector Wiring
Stain Repel Seat Fabric
Instrument Panel Parts Module
Tire & Wheel Parts Module
2.5 Additional Gallons of Gas
Spring - Left Rear
Spring - Left Front
Spring - Right Rear
Spring - Right Front
GVW Rating - 6700#

 

There IS a peice of paper glued to the inside of my glovebox, but it only says I have a 4 speed automatic transmission. I need to know what that 4 speed automatic transmission is called; for instance your truck has a "5-Spd Automatic 545RFE Transmission".

I thank you very much for the link. I asked them to send me that information, so I should know soon.

I still wonder why it's not listed on the vehicle... it ought to be.

Thanks again!

 

Thats odd cause I think mine says 4 speed auto with od 44re but I know for a fact that somewhere on the paper it tells me that my truck has a 44re. I also know it tells me what transfer case I have which if I remember correctly its a 231 hd along with 8.25 rear and 3.92 gears

 

you have a 42RE, just like me.

 

I just checked the paper again, and there's no mention of 42RE, which my email from Dodge customer service verifies is the correct transmission. I've been over it a few times, and it's definitely not there. Perhaps they stopped including that information sometime between '98 and '01?

In any case, your link was infinitely helpful and now I have the build sheet, which will continue to be useful.

And you are very correct, Mr. Fool, I do indeed have a 42RE. Now that I know, I can finally fix the darn thing, and return it to the beautiful machine it once was.

 

Glad you got you info that you needed and yes having the build sheet does come in useful at times

 

All 3.9 automatics got the 42re. Its the worlds worst transmission lol. Did yours **** the bed on you, I take it since you are rebuilding it?

 

I'm rebuilding it because when I changed the Trans fluid for the first time after I purchased it, it was absolutely black (like, burnt oil black), and I found a peice of a ring and quite a bit of metal filings on the magnet. Since then I've noticed progressively worse gas mileage, less power, it throws a transmission temp light if I drive more than 25 miles without letting it cool down, and sometimes it'll go out of overdrive, and I can't put it back in.

I'm also thinking about putting in a shift kit... kinda expensive for me right now, but if I decide to do it later I'll wish I'd done it while I already had it taken apart.

It's a beautiful machine, and I've got so many ideas for it, I can't bear to see it sit. Too much untapped potential. I'm driving a convertable until I get it back on the road, and I STILL prefer my truck over my speedy little hair-blower.

 

To find out what transmission you have is call any parts dept in a dodge dealer with the last 9 digits of your vin and they will tell you.