I recently bought a 96 ram 1500 2wd. i was told that the transmissions from that year may have a problem due to some kind computer or sensor that it is lacking. is this something i should be worried about? and if so, is there anything i can do to prevent it?

 

Sounds like misinformation to me. If the trans has a problem, it is more likely due to lack of maintenance, or abuse. What is the trans doing? (or, not doing, as the case may be....)

 

the best way i can put it is that around 45-55mph it feels like the tranny is shaking but it lessens if i turn O/D off. the guy i bought it from said he thought plate in tranny may be cracked.

 

That sounds more like a misfire (engine) to me, than a trans problem. Right about 45MPH, the trans kicks into overdrive, and TCC locks. There is a direct mechanical connection from engine to trans. If the engine isn't running smoother than a babies butt, that's when you will feel it.

Check your plenum, pull out the back spark plugs, and see what they look like.

 

I can imagine at 45-55mph the RPMs in overdrive(4th gear) would be around 1300-1500. Let's say you wanna pickup speed so you step on the gas to get up to 60, and it starts to shudder, it's very possible that you have a misfire and your truck isn't detecting it right away. I'm not sure the 96' has OBDII.. i think it has just plain ol' OBD so when you plug a computer up to it, it wont be specific as to what cylinder is misfiring.. i suggest a full tuneup.

 

96 does indeed have obdII and does tell you which cylinder is mis firing... it gives me a p300 and p301 on mine through my ELM327 bluetooth adapter and torque software... best $18 dollars for code reader/ diagnostic software I've ever spent on my truck... i have the same shake when the torque converter locks up...its really noticeable in OD barely noticable in drive because there is still TCC lockup...... I think its either from the crack in my header I just discovered or the crank position sensor which may have gotten knocked or damaged when my tranny was just rebuilt since thats when this all started...(i have gone the tuneup route myself as well as new injectors and leakdown and compression check... I agree a tuneup is the first step in troubleshooting.

 

thanks for the help. a tune up is definitley on my list of things to do soon