This might get a little long, so if your current interest is not in
automatic transmissions and shift kits, please hit the delete.
There has been some discussion on the DML lately concerning
shift kits for the automatic trans. Gene (in Houston, Texas) thought
it would be a good idea to update the list on my transmisson problems
and the cure. I am not a trans expert nor would I attempt to rebuild one
myself. I have a good idea how they work, but that's it. So all you
transmission techys will have to read between the lines.
I took delivery of my '97 Dakota 5.2 CC Automatic April 25th of 1997.
It has a 3.92 TrackLoc Axle (SureGrip). This is a 4X2.
In May of '97 on the way to Chicago I hit a large piece of a Semi's Retred
on Interstate 94 at about 90 MPH. It wrapped around the rear drive shaft
and locked the rear wheels. Had an interesting ride trying to get it stopped
without wiping out half of Michigan. Damage was fatal to the Trans. It
got me home but that was it. In June I had the trans rebuilt by a Local
shop in Utica Michigan. They used a Master Kit from Chysler plus a
few pieces (springs and such) from TransGo and added a Hayden 12,000#
Cooler. The Pump was modified to raise the line pressure. I drove the
truck exactly one year. The trans worked OK, but not great. The shift
from 1st to 2nd was not very good, but the rest of the shift pattern was
excellent. Another problem was the nasty habit of downshifting to the
wrong gear. Tried to fix this with the cable linkage adjustment but it did
not work. In May of this year (1998) I was coming back to Michigan from
Fort Wayne, Indiana; again on Interstate 94. I nailed the truck to pass
some one at about 80 MPH. The Trans downshifted to 2nd gear, ran the
engine to the limiter and killed it and fried every clutch in the Trans.
It got me home but it was really sick.
Went back to the Trans Shop and they tore it down to the bare cases.
What a mess.
In May of this year, TransGo released a new Kit for the A500. The shop
had this kit flown to Michigan and installed it in my trans. I am sorry I
don't know what exactly was in it but it had quite a few pieces. They
also put in Rabestos clutches, another pump modification, a few pieces
from the Chrysler Master Kit, and redid the lines to the Cooler. Screwed
it all back together and converted the transfluid to Amsoil Syn.
It wasn't cheap, buy they told me the trans would outlive me. I think they
might be right.
That sucker works now. In 95 degree heat it will bark the 255/70R15's at
partial throttle from 1st to 2nd and bark them good going into 3rd if you
get on it a little. I have got about 4000 miles on the new trans. It works
today just as well as when I pick it up. Think it might be a little hard
on the U-Joints and got a little slop in the ring and pinion lash. Will get
that
fixed soon.
This trans really brought this truck to life. I would highly recommend
the TransGo Kit, higher line pressure and an Aux Cooler.
Hope this info helps some of you folks out there.
David R.
Sterling Heights
Michigan
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