Shawn, does your Dakota have a 318 in it? If so, then yes, the transmissions
are the same. It is a wide-ratio NV3500. My good friend just bought a 2001
ram quad cab 2wd 318/NV3500/3.21open and I drive it sometimes. His
transmission is so much smoother than mine it's not even funny. He swore
that they were not the same tranny after riding with me and seeing me
waiting for synchronizers to spin up and similar quirks. I'm glad I have his
truck to comapre to, stuff that people have been telling me is common fare
with these trannies is not evident in his. Everyone I've ever driven is
different. I have driven 6 V8/NV3500 Dakotas, and 2 NV3500 trannied rams,
and they every one felt different. Even identical
combinations(cab/2wd/4x4/rear ratio). I think that either these
transmissions are very easy to tear up, or the NewVenture
manufacturing/assembly leaves something to be desired. Either way, I feel
there is some quality control issues with this particular product.The most
miles I have ever SEEN on one of these transmissions is 19,2XX miles. Now I
know that Sam parthemer had well over 100K on his '95 before it crapped out,
and several others have good experiences with them. But, I have known many
people locally with V8 Dakotas, and it doesn't seem to matter whether you
drive like grandma or satan, all of their transmissions crapped out at least
twice under the 36K warranty. I currently have 12,300 on mine,and it has
good days and bad days. Everybody that has gotten rid of their Dakotas here
is just waiting for mine to take a dump. I thought I would prove to them
that they were just abusing theirs,and that they were really a solid piece.
I guess not. Sorry for the length!
Will Coughlin willcoughlin@hotmail.com
'00 reg.cab,2wd,4.7L/NV-3500HD5-spd/3.92sg(9.25")
http://www.geocities.com/willcoughlin/index.html
----Original Message Follows----
From: Shawn <englehart@Sympatico.ca>
I went to the local dealer to check for a price to repair a rust spot I
missed when someone dinged me, people are bad for that up here. I even
have a door ding on my bike on the gas tank. But I digress, the parts
and service department were closed and I started to look at the new
Dakotas, found out the sales department was still open. They did not
have any with a 5 speed, all auto but did take out a quad cab 318 5sp
4X4 Ram. Was wondering if if the Rams had the same transmission, felt
different then my 96, the shifting felt notchy. Learned that I like my
Dakota alot better, the Ram was Huge and I would never get it past the
wife. Might go back and try a Dakota when they get some 5sp in or try
the Auto. Anyways, would also like to thank everyone for the help that
everyone has given to my questions and also reading the answer for other
questions. Thanks.
-- Shawn Englehart return email: englehart@sympatico.ca www.geocities.com/englehrt www.dakota-truck.net/profiles/Yfz3JVR3VIJnE/profile.htm_________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
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