Bought a 2002 Dakota Quad Cab with the 4.7L and auto a little while back, this is the first time I've found this site. I have a couple questions. I've heard bad things about the tranny in these Dakotas. Is it true they have a bad reputation? Also the guy I bought it from said that it had the "Heavy Duty" package. Doesa transmission cooler come with this package. I pull a camping trailer and it pulls it like a champ it hasn't gotten hot yet but I also lock out the O/D when I do that. Iguess I'm more curious if it has one or not. Thanks

Jake

 

if you open your hood you would see a small condensor looking thing in front at the bottom of the radiator. andYou would hurt the Transmission by towing in over drive.

 

You've got the 545rfe or whatever it is. those aren't reputed to be bad at all, unless I'm mistaken.
It's the 46re that has problems, and the smaller one too I think.

 

Yeah I don't tow in O/D unless its a flat grade. If it starts to drop out of O/D I lock it out immediately. Yeah I'm pretty sure it has a cooler then. Thanks for the info on the tranny and stuff. I sold my Ranger cuz I went through 4 trannies in 3 years. Luckily they were all under warranty.

 

Are we sure this isn't driver error? Not trying to be offensive.