1990 Dakota, issues?

[Paul G]

Early Ram trucks are notorious for week transmissions. My 01 4x4 trashed the tranny at 70k miles. It was rebuilt under extended warranty. I loved that truck! all 10 mpg's of it.

My sons Explorer was totalled a few days ago, he is okay. We are looking to purchase a 90 Dak with 112k miles on it. V6 engine auto trans. Any issues I should look for? My son needs something temporarily, till the first of the year. He has to finish college, then off to the military.

[c00nhunterjoe]

There is nothing wrong with the mopar transmissions. The main issue is the owners. People think you can drive them for 100k miles without service. You have to remember that the trannys in the rams and even dakotas are nothing more then a 727, or 904 for the v6,  with and overdrive attached. The same clutches for your 69 charger 727 will fit he 01 ram trans. That being said they have bands that need to be adjusted. If you don't do the routine work on it then its going to burn up.

I have a 99 durango with a 46rh (small block 727) in it. 5.9 with headers, chip, full exhaust. The trans is 100% origonal at 170k right now and I still tow and thrash on it. I service the trans every 10-12,000 miles and the bands get adjusted each time.

[c00nhunterjoe]

I had a 92 dakota for a while. My uncle bought it brand new. The only problem I ever had was a heater core. Would have kept it if it were 4wd but it wasn't . The key is maintenance. If it was well cared forthen it will be fine.   Here is the beast that has replaced mine.

[A383Wing]

I have a 94 Dakota, V6 with 5spd trans....main issues are fuel pumps quit at most in-opportune time, (fuel gauge usually quits before pumps do), timing chain rattle inside t-cover, (which will require new chain & tensioner), and crankshaft position sensors fail quite regularly, Ma Mopar should have given each new owner a crankshaft sensor in the glove box

the auto transmissions are kinda weak, make sure fluid is red and full..just don't beat on it

Pic of mine below

Bryan

[bull]

We've got 154k+ on our 94 and have never had any trans issues. We've had it for 12 years.

As mentioned above, my fuel gauge is intermittent (mostly non-functional), the timing chain rattles (I've yet to add a tensioner) and the crank position sensor went out once. Other than that it's been pretty routine stuff. Replaced the radiator and water pump, two batteries, shocks and brakes of course... It's really been a good pickup.

[TruckDriver]

My '93 has 256,000 miles on it, and it's all original. It has the 318 in it.

[skip68]

My dad has a 93 4x4 with the 318. He will never get rid of it and it killed me when he had the tranny rebuilt a few years ago.  This truck has 354,000 miles on it, doesn't smoke and still runs great.  That's crazy.  Two weeks ago I used it to tow my son's Comanche pickup from northern CA to Vegas thinking I'd save money on gas instead of using my 454 suburban.  WRONG!  It was slow up the hills and got the same mileage as my truck, about 11.7mpg. Coming back empty it got just over 17mpg and that was good.  He's been running full synthetic oil in it and swears it'll go another 200k miles.  Just crazy IMO.   I think tranny killers is towing in overdrive in hills or driving in overdrive under 50 MPH in traffic.   Bottom line is they (if maintained) can keep going for years.   

[Cooter]

There is nothing wrong with the mopar transmissions. The main issue is the owners. People think you can drive them for 100k miles without service. You have to remember that the trannys in the rams and even dakotas are nothing more then a 727, or 904 for the v6,  with and overdrive attached. The same clutches for your 69 charger 727 will fit he 01 ram trans. That being said they have bands that need to be adjusted. If you don't do the routine work on it then its going to burn up.

I have a 99 durango with a 46rh (small block 727) in it. 5.9 with headers, chip, full exhaust. The trans is 100% origonal at 170k right now and I still tow and thrash on it. I service the trans every 10-12,000 miles and the bands get adjusted each time.

[c00nhunterjoe]

Skip, I think the earlier modes had 3.55's at best. Not great for towing.  That's the only issue I have with my durango. It has 3.55s and 31 inch tires. I plan to upgrade to 3.91s or even 4.10s.

[A383Wing]

my 94 has 3.21 rear gear with the 5spd.....I made a trailer out of a 92 I bought last year..it has 3.55's in it...

granted the little V6 ain't got much for power...and I just checked my mileage from the last tank of gas...got almost 18 around town

and yea..if maintained good, the trans will work for longer times...

Bryan