Good morning!
I have a 2000 Caravan which has a running engine,but the tranny is shot.I have a friend who has a 96 with an excellent trans,but the engine is shot.They engines basically look the same,but checking around i've found they don't interchange.Can anyone tell me what the differences are and if I can swap parts across and make it work?
Thanks
John

 

Both are 2.4's? My source says the 2.4 minivan transmission (3speed automatic) fits 1996-2001 no problem.

 

Does both vans have either a 3 speed transmission or 4 speed?

 

I'm no master Chrysler technician, but from what I found, the 2.4 engines did not come with overdrive transmissions in minivans from 1996-2001. So the only trans in these vans with 2.4 is 3speed aka 31TH

 

Yes,both these vehicles are 2.4 and 3 speeds.The biggest difference I see is the intake manifolds are different.

My friend says he was told the 96 has a crank trigger built into the block and the 2000 is not configured that way.I live in a smaller city..we have 4 parts stores and it figures none of them had a manual last time I checked.If someone knows about the crank trigger,please let me know..in the meantime i've gotta get a manual - hopefully both years are covered in one book!

 

When I started looking into the transmissions I always found the designation to be A413/A670,but I could not find clarification of which of these went into the 2.4 minivan,the A413 or the A670.

I guess the VIN number would give me that info...I think a visit to the library to look at the Hollanders would help also...

 

31TH is the designation I found for the 2.0 or 2.4 3 speed transmission. I also found for you that the 413 was denotation used on a 2.2 or 2.5 engine and an A670 is the 3speed on a 3.0 v-6 mitsubishi. Instead of wasting the auto parts store, why not just look up the part numbers yourself on the internet? Also, why not just look at both vehicles yourself? I'm finding for you, that 2.4's have a lot of year specific application. But in the real world, my sources are telling me that they are basically all interchangeble. But you'll need to transfer some parts from one to the other to fit the vehicle properly. I also called a junkyard for you and the guy said that the interchangeability of why some parts are specific application even though they will work in others is that the exchange manuals are for an exact fit. He said even one sensor out that doesn't plug right in negates interchangeability

 

Much,much appreciate that info 22DODGE22!
I will probably buy the 96,but its 25 miles away.I'll take some pics and make notes so I can make an accurate comparison.If my engine won't swap i'll just pick up another or rebuild it.

The crank trigger,at this point,looks like the biggest possible snag.Will pay close attention to the sensor locations and interchangability.

The library here does not have Hollanders.I'm picking up a dealers CD-ROM manual on line that covers 96-00.

And you bring up a good point - perhaps I can find a salvage yard in Jacksonville,FL (closest big city to me) that has a guy who's knowledgeable about a swap like this.

Thanks again!
John

 

I can't imagine any library that would have Hollandar book. That a very specific book used by salvage yards and not so much the general public. Your library should have service manuals or online access to some of the good service manual sites. IDK why you'd need to buy a CD. For an engine replacement, I haven't found a book yet (other than the factory books) worth a darn nor accurate at all.

 

The Phoenix public library kept a good selection of Hollanders..The library here has a Chiltons 96-99 with the crappiest pictures,and of course their manuals don't compare to the dealers/factory service manuals that are available on CD-ROM for $17.00.