Hello All!
I'm new to the Dodge truck scene.I bought a 97 ram 1500 4wd from my brother in law.Been working on fixing it up.
I took it for a short test drive after redoing the brakes yesterday,and noticed that it upshifts/downshifts seemingly normal.But if you brake hard it acts as if its in nuetral when you get back on the gas...and then lurches into gear.
under normal braking its fine.
truck in 5.9 auto with 129k on it...I would be willing to guess that its had little to no trans service in its past.
It seems to engage in gear normal...but I'm not really that familiar with the truck yet.Its not registered for the road, for long drives yet, just wondering what the common consensus would be?
where should I start looking?
perhaps filter and fluid?(I checked that ...the fluid doesn't look bad,is full)
torque convertor?
any help would be appreciated!
-Matt

 

My guess would be you might change the trans-filter and fluid and use some ATF+4 TRANS FLUID. This fluid is made just for mopars. Try that first.

 

well it seemed to me that the fluid was low...but it read full while checked in 'park'.I stopped at a reputable local transmission shop ,and the guy said you have to check the fluid level while in nuetral...as it would be a quart low if it was full in park.
bought a qt...checked as recommended...sure enough..a qt low in nuetral...filled it up...shifts fine now....$5 fixes...gotta love em!!

 

change the fluid and filter even though that fixed it....these trannys tend to need a rebuild around 150K, or sooner if you dont maintain it properly.