Greetings Yall,
I have the opportunity to purchase the rolling chassis of a 98 Ram Sport 4X4 just like mine. I only wanted the transmission out of it but if I had a bed and cab I would have another truck. Anyway my question is this: the truck sat up for 5 yrs and it has 120K miles on it. I need the transmission (A/T) for my truck which I fried having it towed without putting the transfer case in neutral when I put the transmission in neutral. The guy says thr truck runs fine and he did start it however what are some things I should look for? I only need the trans so if anyone would like anyparts let me know. I has a 5.9L V-8.

 

Unless you can drive it the only thing you can really check is fluid condition. If its Cherry Red give it a shot. If its kinda brownish drop the pan and look for debris in the bottom of the pan. If the fluid is dark Brown or Black forget it.

 

THANKS RAB, WILL DO

 

What rabbler said.

Also, I have a 96 4x4 with 150K that has pulled 10,000 lbs a number of times. It's still strong, but has also had the fluids changed often. I've heard some say that the trans is a weak point in these trucks, but that hasn't been my experience so far. I do have that annoying chatter if you go in reverse when cold outside. I read of a TSB on my trans for an anti-rattle kit, but my trans never got one of those.

Anyway, 120K of non hauling miles aren't bad, but you never know what the trans has been through.

 

Well I"ll pull the dipstick and check it out. He rolled the truck 5 yrs ago and parted out what wasn't damaged. The only thing that's left is the rolling chassis complete with motor and trans. It drives but naturally it was driven in the pasture since it has a what's left of the cab and no seats. But I need a transmission and I don't have the $2K to get a new one.

 

The Trans isn't bad, built on the old torqueflight 727 design that was a damn fine stock tranny. The problem is the OD unit. sink a little money into beefing that up and you'll have a hell of a good AT.

Just asking, but did you destroy the tranny or just the transfer case in the old truck? The TC can be replaced for much cheaper than a complete tranny.

 

To be honest with you I don't know. I put the tranny in "N" but the TC. I was towed approx 50 miles at an avg speed of 60 MPH. By the time I got a block from my home the tires were locked up. It was then that I noticed I had not put the TC in "N". When I did the trucked rolled fine. I got the truck to roll forward after a day of trying but it will not go in reverse although it will shift into reverse. The other day I went to try it again and the only way it would roll forward was after I shifted it into 4WD -H but will not move in reverse even though you can feel it shift into it. What would be a sign that it's the TC and not the transfer case?

 

Honestly my transmission started acting up around 97k and I fixed that anchor that feel out and got it to last until about 99k miles when it was slipping horribly taking off and just didn't want to shift right so I finally gave in and ordered the APS. In my talking to shops almost all of them told me I got about the life out of it if I had near 100k miles as they seemed to go out around then. I have seen this with quite a few other people. Some however last a lot longer but it seems to be fairly common for them to go out with 100k or so on them. I think much more than that and you may be pushing it. This one if it's good might be a temporary fix but I don't know that I'd count on it to last too long. It might but then again it might not.

 

I have got 186,000 on mine... fluid is brown everytime I change it.I change it once a year.

Shifts fine... no slip... gonna run it til it starts to act up.. then go with the APS unit. The trans in my truck owes me nothing.

Even changed the fluid twice (4 quarts and a filter each time)with Dexron because my dipstick was listed as Dexron being a +3 equivelent. This was in 2003 and 2004... before I found this site.

 

I contacted the APS people and they emailed some quotes and I must say that they are awesome tranny's but Jesus they are expensive.A new from Dodge isn't that expensive and to be honest with you I don't drive the truck thatmuch anymore with gas prices the way they are. I mainly drive it on the weekend. Nut let's say this one goes out can't you rebuild A/T's?