i might soon need to replace the tranny in my 99 1500, it has the 318 with a 5 speed behind it but i am thinking i want to put an auto on it, what years if any will the auto tranny be compatible with my truck so i can just do a quick swap?

 

also it is a 4x4

 

WHY? [X(]

 

Keep in mind that your PCM computer will probably have to be 'flashed' by an aftermarket company like B&G Chrysler in Detroit, or Tom Fox in California, in order to get along with a different automatic transmission.

A 727 auto could be used to replace your manual. There is no overdrive to control which simplifies things.

In the newest magazines there is a company advertising a 'universal' automatic transmission shifter that is a small computer box that controls a remote actuator near the trans. This simplifies the problem of linkages.

A Jeep/early Dakota style bell housing can allow you to choose several different transmissions to fit agains the Chrysler small block V8 bolt pattern. See the old post below:

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(concerning the manual transmissions used in early Dakotas)
Some of the 5-speeds are the AX-15's, which are on the weak side.
However, they share the same bellhousing bolt pattern with many other
transmissions made by Aisin-Warner. The stoutest of which is probably the
R-154 found in the late-80's to early 90's Toyota Supra turbos. They're FAT
transmissions, with a beefy cast iron mid plate that happens to fall very near
where the trans crossmember is in an A-body.

I'm mulling on that swap right now. The Dak bellhousing & flywheel are the way
to do that swap, as it's a near bolt in... once you have the space in the
trans tunnel. FWIW, the 4.7L and 5.7L v-8's have the same bolt pattern on the
back of the block, and even the 3.7L Jeep engine does too. The 6-speed behind
the Jeep Liberty turbo diesel looks interesting (also has the same bellhousing
bolt pattern), but I bet it's not a small trans, either.

Clair

 

I second that question.
I've heard of peoplewanting to gofrom automatic to manual... but not many the other way around.

Like anything else, its possible, but it would be alot of work. Like HankL said, the PCM would have to be flashed or changed.
Also, it looks like you would have to change out the driveshafts (since the automatic will be sized differantly than the manual);
The mouting for the transmission be differant as well.
And a lot of the newer (within the last ~12 years) automatics have some electronics on board, which means wiring.

 

reason i want to go auto is because this tranny and clutch are extremely weak, maybe is there a way to beef up this tranny and get a hi-perf clutch or something?