Hey everyone, first time poster here and I’ve just got a quick question that I need to figure out before it starts snowing in a couple weeks. Three weeks ago I was up in the mountains playing around in the snow when I heard a loud pop and then major grinding from the center console area, and then lost my front wheels.

I took it to the stealership yesterday for a diagnosis, even though I already knew she was boned, and all they said was internal failure. (Surprise surprise) So now I’ve been looking at getting a used TC from a scrap yard and can’t find a single one from a dakota 96-97. I’ve looked online and they are scarce unless I want to pay $800+ which isn’t going to happen.

All that leads me here, I’m looking on eBay at an NP231D from a 1500 ram, has the 272. Would this bolt right up or would I have to do some modifying? Thanks!

 

I suspect it would bolt right in, and hook right up, provided the donor was a 97 or OLDER. A fair bit changed in 98.... and the newer ones simply won't work for you.

Welcome to DF.

 

The truck that i would be buying from is a 96 ram 1500. From what I understand the 96-97 ram and the 96-97 dakota share the same TC? NP231D? This one doesn’t day HD or any of the other slightly different models.

 

That should bolt right in, just like it belongs there. Mainly, because it does.

 

perfect, that’s reassuring! Going to do a tad more research on the part and what my truck has before I purchase!

 

turns out my TC is an NP231D HD... would this still work?

 

The DHD has a wider chain...... so, it's possible it might work, but, the D might be shorter, which might require a longer driveshaft. Measure from the mounting face at the trans side, to the end of the tailshaft housing on the driveshaft side, see if they are the same length.... (it would only be an inch or so difference.......)

 

after days of searching multiple states I found one 3.5 hours away in Portland. I had a DHD, and the one I bought was a 231D. Came from a 97 dakota, like mine, has the exact same assembly number, and was manufactured 2 months before mine was, so I’m assuming it’ll go right in no problem. Going to put it in today and see what happens! What fluid should be used? I read ATF, but any specific brand?

If it doesn’t work out and there is an inch or so, where do I go from there? Is there an adapter or extension?

 

ATF +4 Doesn't matter who made it, it's all pretty much the same anyway. Using the same brand that's in your trans would be good. (if you know what brand is in there. )

No adapter or extension, would need to change the driveshaft. If the guy your getting the t-case from has the same bed/cab configuration, just get his rear shaft as well, just in case.

Also, while you have it someplace easy to work on, wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the chain, and install a transfer case saver. Solve both problems with the new case at once.