Hey folks, im mihty new here, but not new to dodges.

I am going to be purchasing a 2nd gen ram in the near future, most likely a 1500 4x4. Having only owned dakota's in the past (1997 and 2004), both of which were 5 speed manual, I have no knowledge of the automatic transmission found in nearly all of these rams.

I am aware that the ram auto transmissions are notorious for failure, and this is what I need info on. I have searched the forums and have only really found information regarding specific problems, not a general overview.

I am going to try my hardest to get a 5 speed, but i know they are pretty hard to come by, especially in 4x4. So, in the event that i cannot find one, i need some information.

So, please, if you will, tell me of the problems with these transmissions. I have read people saying that they go out at 10,000, 40,000, 80,000 and people who have gone through 3 at 100,000 miles. What i'd like to know is some sort of failure rate. obviously i'm not going to know if the truck i buy is going to last 5k or 50k, but any general failure rate would be helpful. How about things to look for? is towing a contributing factor? does transmission maintnance (fluids, etc) have a large effect? is anything over a certian milage bad, or could it be a good indicator of a strong, long lasting tranny? Should i buy one that has already had the transmisison replaced?

Any information you guys could offer would be great. I really look forward to getting a ram, and i think these forum will be a great resource.

Thanks for your help

 

I bought my Ram with about 70,000 miles on it in 2002. I worked at a Chrysler dealer at the time and looked up the warranty history. Work was done to the valve body... not sure what though. As far as I know it is the original trans.

Since I have owned it I have changed the tranny fluid and filter twice.

I have not had a tranny problem and the truck now has about 150,000 miles on it.

I do not tow much and do not consider myself an abusive driver. I do not beat on it... I think I drive pretty normal. I do not off-road with it either.

I have replaced the fuel pump, right front axle seal and u joint, water pump and battery.

 

I have 105,000 on the tranny that game with the truck and i havent really taken care of it either

 

As far as I know, the trans in my V10 is original. It has 144,000 miles on it. The torque converter seal is leaking, but that's it. I'll be fixing that this summer....along with installing a Mopar cast aluminum deep transmission pan...Amsoil Synthetic ATF...and an autometer transmission temperature gauge. That should keep mine going for a while, until I can afford a DTT built transmission.

It's all about maitenance on these trucks. If you do the right upgrades (Synthetic fluid, deep pan, larger cooler, regular fluid/filter changes), the transmission can last quite a long time.

 

180,000 on my original tranny, oil changed regular, not abused but used. Its the luck of the draw, I see alot of posts from people saying they have tranny problems, and also alot of the same people posting saying how they can do smokey burnouts...etc etc, or go 4 wheeling extensively.....so its just who, how, why, when it comes to these tranny's

 

ive got a 96 V6 with the auto. has 180000km on it. just had the fluid changed and the bands adjusted last week. first servicing ever for it. has always worked great.

 

160,000+ on mine, original trans as far as i know. works perfectly...i'm not terribly abusive on it, but i don't baby it either...go wheeling all the time, had the whole thing in water, mud...

 

hey, thanks guys, you've all offered good info so far.

so, as far as buying a new truck goes, what should i look for or ask about or whatever regarding the tranny if i am going to get an auto? anything in specific?

 

uh, what do you consider beating on it cause i dont want any troubles, i do have to get my "bands" adjusted according to DCX and there 100,000 mile letter they sent me, i get on it from time to time and WOT cause, ex. i aint gonna buy a gaming computer and just use it for word processing, get my drift, also i like to go through some trails and maybe a lil mud ya

 

my tranny didn't get its first lube job till over 120,000 miles and I have literaly beaten the hell out of it. Everythng from water half way up the doors mudding and hittin atleast 110mph monthly. I have also done alot of towing with it for work and things of that sort. I now have 252,000 miles on it and I am getting it rebuilt because I drove around on a bad tc for over 6 months and figured as long as its out might aswell rebuild it.


With any car it is a hit or miss kindof thing. You never realy know. It's like going to the casino and dropping $10,000 on 13 black.