I just bought another Dakota. The 6th one that I have owned. I own three right now.
. So when I put the truck in first gear it goes forward. Sec and third gear it goes forward.
Put it in neutral or reverse and it goes forward. ? ? ?
Can't seem to get it into neutral. When I picked it up. It went into neutral. I pushed it back. Then drove it up onto my tow dolly. Towed it home about 30 miles.
Not sure if it's a linkage problem or more serious than that.
Haven't change the tranny filter and fluid yet. Because I want some opinions first. So that I can change out what I need to all at the same time.
Has anyone else experience this issue?

 

Drop the pan, I suspect the band anchor/strut have fallen out.

 

Did you disconnect the driveshaft after you put in on the tow dolly? Manual transmissions are fine with tow dolly's but automatics don't fare well.

 

Yea as mentioned drop the pan an see whats in it.I lost reverse when my overdrive went out but after replacing it its fine now,wasnt difficult.
The accumulator spring was busted too.very common on these trucks but easy to replace .Id definately check that too..
It shouldnt go foreward when in reverse,check that harness an neutral safety awitch there at tranny too.

 

Is there a kit that you can get? That comes with the spring?
I Know I seen it posted on here under a different tranny post.
I should of wrote it down.
I figured that I would drop the pan. See how much is on the magnet. If it's really bad. Then I will just put one of the two tranny's that I have into it. But need to make sure they will work as I think one is a 44. And the other is a 46.
If the magnet is clean. Then I will probably change a few of the changeable parts along with the spring and new filter.
Adjust the two band adjustments and hope that fixes the problem.

I bought this truck cheep. Knowing there transmission problems. If I fix it and my friend paints it for me. I could sell it for 5 times the amount that I bought it for. Sell my 97 4x4 with a 5.9. in it too.
Then I can look for a Dakota R/T.

 

Accumulator ? Is that the name of it? Or does it have more of a technical name?

 

Its called an accumulator spring. Also the RT is the same drivetrain as a standard 5.9 equipped dakota. So unless your just going for the all included optionals then just stick with what you have.