Hi Guys & Gals.
I'm new to the forum, and am looking for some info/advice/or similar.
I own a 2001 Dodge Dakota Quad 4x4. At 73k miles the transmission died.....no warning, no issues ever.
The truck has been babied: No towing and no off road romps. Regular services have been done and it's been very reliable in the past 4 years.

Question:

Has anyone had the 4 speed automatic ,that came with the 4.7, blow-up/toast/or just need a rebuild for no apparent reason?

Has anyone come across dealerships wanting to do this same service: Rebuild for $3500?

Thanks for any help or stories you can share.

Brad

 

your scarying me my truck has the same mileage. Isnt 3500 a lil too much?

 

IM New also---- Mine smoked at 37,000. Cost me 2300 to rebuild the whole tranny.
Shop said the torqe converter came apart inside.
No warning at all....At least she died in the driveway.
Dealership would not help me.

 

Guess im lucky!
My 2001 dakota quadcab 4x4, has been off road many times.
Has towed a trailer many times, and has been in 1 accident (60 mph into a guardrail, I think it was mostly body damage.)
the truck has 65000 miles on too

 

Even 2300 is steep. I got my trans and t-case rebuilt by the best tranny shop in town for about $1500 after I grenaded my tranny in the Ram. TQ broke too, but I beat on it hard the week prior. 240+ thousand miles before it puked though.

 

well....here's what I've heard. Im an EMT and I work with a private ambulance company all of our trucks are diesel...that has nothing to do with this, but the people I work with, a lot of them there have been mechanics and do minor repairs on our trucks. Now they share horror stories about cars and trucks theyve worked on. There was A LOT of discussion about Dodge trucks and automatic transmissions. Dodge has had no issues on a large scale of manual tranny failure. On the down side to that, it's automatic tranny division has failure...random, unforseen, and it just goes to crap. Its the quality of tranny and parts they are using to make it. They used cheap components that fail easily as some of you have experienced. Now don't everyone freak out and take ur DAK's into ur dealer and demand an inspection. There was only a few select years that this "plague" showed up in. I've heard different numbers. 99-03's some say it went in the O4's some say it was fixed before the turn of 2000 reguardless of the year its always the same story of trannys going out. I've got an 04 and I'm watching it close. I wish I had more info for you guys, but its sketchy at best. Wish you all the best. but if you still have ur warranty...make dodge do the dirty deed.

 

It started earlier than 99 in the Rams iirc. You can delay it by avoiding OD when not on the freeway and regular maint.

 

My 2000 4.7 dak has 112000 miles on it, and I tow trailers all the time. I must have some good luck or something, as I have never had a problem with my transmission. The only real problem Ive had with it is having to replace the TPS, which was extremely cheap to fix

 

Every truck company has tranny's fail at any given mileage for any reason (even the foreign guys). YES, dodge had more than usual problems from mid to late 90's in the trucks. My uncle who is a dodge certified tranny mechanic said the reason for the 90's tranny failures was cooling. The factory tranny lines were designed too small in diameter. The best thing you can do for a dodge car or truck (probably any brand car or truck) is put a tranny cooler on it or make sure it comes with one. The other big cause for failure in chrysler trannies is the tranny fluid, make sure you use the correct fluid. I think majority agree, don't add any additives, and only use MOPAR tranny fluid that is recommended for your vehicle. When I bought my 02 Dakota I wouldn't even take a test drive in one unless it had a tranny cooler. Usually would only come with one if your truck has the towing package.

From what I have read is the tranny on the 4.7 was designed new just to mate with the 4.7, not an off the shelf tranny. I haven't heard of any major out of the normal problems with this drive train. Doesn't mean you won't have problems though.

 

hello everyone now i hope i am able to get a reply to this.....


i have a 01 dakota and when i got it to my house the transmission feels as if it is stuck in 4wheel low but now to think of it, you could also say the TC is not allowing all the power to the transmission.... but here is what is happening with mine.... If i run it for a block or two it will over heat... how i know most of you say thermostat... put a new one in.... what would cause that to happen.... engine light is on.. can i test it and will it tell me that the trans is bad?.... okay i have the 5.9l and 89,000 miles.... any help would be cool


nels