Ok so I just picked up a 2002 dakota SLT quad cab 4x4 all options with leather and all (immaculate condition) and first thing I did was get the broken ball joint replaced. It also has 31 inch mudders on it as well.

Anyway. So as I drive down the highway it drives fine till i throw on the cruise. I like to set it about 65 but when I do it goes fine for a minute then the rpm jumps a bit and I can feel it when it does but its not super noticable. Could I be rebuilding my tranny soon? Like I said just picked up the truck and never had a dakota before. Oh its got 113,000 miles on it as well with the 5.9L V8

 

Sounds like you could be experiencing Torque converter shudder, fairly common with automatic transmissions. Could be as simple as a vaccume leak though.

 

Did it come with any kind of service records? Mudding can be really hard drivetrains, so premature failures wouldn't surprise me.

You should post some pictures of your odd duck. Sounds like an interesting combo.

 

Never been mudded it was a family truck last time you would have to see it haha just like new. I talked to somebody today and he said it coulda been torque converter which makes sense im just so paranoid about that tranny. I might just get the fluid changed as well as gettin the converter checked soon. I came from a '96 chevy so this is a different vehicle and im more knowledgeable when it comes to the 3/4 cummins rams anyway.

Ill throw some online this weekend so you all can see it. I love it even though mileage sucks haha

 

Does it do it consistently every time? Sometimes when my truck is on cruise control going up a slight hill it will downshift, change its mind, and go back to 4th very quickly. These trucks do shift very smoothly.

 

it does it for a while it will quit once in a while then start again...I turned OD off and that seemed to help actually. Still need to try again in the day when I can see it better.

And is there a thread about improving gas milage on a 5.9? I know the tires I got dont help and the bed is gonna get a cover but anything else would be awsome.

 

Dodge dakota means "bad gas mileage". 5.9 just underlines it.

 

What you are likely feeling is the converter unlocking to maintain your CC speed.