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Craig Lougher
Dodge Dakota
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2/24/2002
19:54:39

Subject: tranny types?
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Mopar enthusiast looking for info. What can anyone tell me about the 5 speed trannies used in the dakotas thru the years? Were they only on 318's? I am building a street car with a 318, and interested in using a 5 speed stick- Were they top loaders, cable shifters, or what? Any info would be appreciated. Thanx



Hersbird
Dodge Dakota
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2/25/2002
00:42:36

RE: tranny types?
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I believe every Dakota 5-speed is/was the NV-3500 weather it was old new, a 4-cylinder or v-8. I also think they are cable shifted but I don't know about that as I don't own one! It's aluminum cased and weighs 110 pounds w/o the clutch housing. It's rated for 300 ft-lbs of input torque.



TIM
Dodge Dakota
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2/25/2002
22:10:49

RE: tranny types?
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THE CURRENT 5 SPEED BEHIND THE 5.2 IS THE NV35OO RATED AT 300 FT LBS OF TORQUE. IT IS A ONE PEICE TRANNY/BELL HOUSING ALUMINUM, SHIFTER COMES STRAIGHT OUT OF THE TOP. CLUTCH LINKAGE IS HYDRAULIC AND USES A 11 INCH CLUTCH. YES IT SHOULD BOLT UP AS ALL THE BOLT PATTERN ARE THE SAME.THIS I BELEIVE IS THE ONLY 5 SPD USED BEHIND THE V 8S, THEY DID USE THE 833 4 SPD IN A OVERDRIVE VERSION.THE 5SPDS BEHIND THE V6 AND 4S ARE DIFFERENT. THE NV3500 HAS NO ELECTRONICS SO COULD BE USED ON EARLIER MODELS. HOPE THIS HELPS AS I RECENTLY COMPLETED A AUTO TO 5 SPEED SWAP ON MY 98 CC 5.2LTR DAKOTA.



Craig Lougher
Dodge Dakota
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2/25/2002
22:57:36

RE: tranny types?
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Thanks Tim for the info. It is exactly what I wanted to know. I plan to put one of these trannies in a 318 1973 or 74 Charger. Do you know if the 5th gear is 1.0 to 1, or is it an overdrive of less than 1.0, such as point .74 or something like that? Also, is the clutch housing area closed, or is there an inspection cover on the bottom? Thanks for you help.



TIM
Dodge Dakota
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2/26/2002
19:04:25

RE: tranny types?
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THE FINAL GEAR RATIO IN FIFTH IS .73-1 THE 4TH GEAR IS 1-1. THE BELL HOUSING IS CLOSED ACROSS THE BOTTOM EXCEPT FOR A SMALL AREA IN FRONT/BOTTOM WHERE YOU CAN ONLY SEE THE BACK OF THE FLY WHEEL.



dodgeguy
Dodge Dakota
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2/27/2002
03:52:36

RE: tranny types?
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Tim,

I was thinking of changing my auto over to a five speed. I have a 1993 club cab, but I'm thinking it couldn't be much different from your '98. Can you please tell me what was involved to put the 5 speed in yours??? Also, how well does your conversion work? Does it look and act like it belongs there or does it look and act like it has been bubble gummed together??

Mike



TIM
Dodge Dakota
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2/28/2002
08:03:41

RE: tranny types?
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DODGE GUY

THE SWAP WAS STRAIGHT FORWARD ONCE I GOT ALLTHE PEICES ROUNDED UP. I GOT THE CLUTCH LINKAGE, DRIVE SHAFT WHICH IS A TWO PEICE, CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER, FLY WHEEL, AND SHIFT LEVER FROM A 97 DAKOTA. I GOT THE TRANNIE FROM A 99 DAKOTA. THE COMPUTER HAD TO COME FROM A 98 DAKOTA WITH A 5 SPEED. ALL THE PARTS WHERE A DIRECT BOLT IN. ALL THE HOLES WHERE ALREADY THERE EXCEPT FOR THE HOLE IN THE FLOOR. THE FLOOR PAN IS DIFFERENT IN A AUTO VEH BUT EVERYTHING CLEARED NO PROBLEM. I HAD TO USE A AFTER MARKET SHIFT BOOT. THE SUPPORT FOR THE CARRIER BEARING ON THE DRIVE SHAFT HAD TO BE FABRICATED BECAUSE I DID NOT CHANGE THIS. THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAD WAS THE HEADERS WHERE FOR A AUTO, SO TO MAKE THEM FIT I HAD TO DO SOME MINOR GRINDING ON THE BELLHOUSING. THE CLUTCH LINKAGE WAS JUST A MATTER OF ADDING THE LONGER PIVOT ROD AND CHANGING TO THE SMALLER BRAKE PEDAL AND ADDING THE CLUTCH PEDAL. THE MASTER CYLINDER GOES THROUGH THE FIRE WALL WHERE THE AUTO SHIFT CABLE DID. THE WIRW HARNESS ALREADY HAD THE CONECTION FOR THE CLUTCH PEDAL IN TO START SWITCH, JUST REMOVE THE JUMPER AND PLUG IN THE ONE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE TRANNIE CROSS MEMBER IS THE SAME JUST USE A MOUNT FROM THE 5 SPEED. THE AUTO SHIFT LEVER COMES OUT BY REMOVING A DRIVE PIN. THEN THE PLASTIC COVERS GO BACK TOGETHER. THE WHOLE INSTALATION LOOKS FACTORY EXCEPT FOR THE AFTER MARKET BOOT ON THE FLOOR AND THE PARK/DRIVE INDICATOR IN THE INSRUMENT CLUSTER. THE WHOLE THING LOOKS GREAT EVEN MY WIFE HAD TO ADMIT IT LOOKS GOOD.



HSKR
Dodge Dakota
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2/28/2002
08:21:11

RE: tranny types?
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Craig, you might want to reconsider before you put the NV3500 in a car. You must remember that it is a truck transmission, and the shifter throw is by no means short, and isn't really designed for use in a car. B&M makes a short throw shifter for it, but it is still a truck transmission and I don't think you will like it in a car. Just something else to consider. Didn't they make any 5-speeds in the 60's and 70's for the 318/360 muscle cars??





Eddie
Dodge Dakota
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1/29/2005
00:52:49

RE: tranny types?
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Will a 5.2 liter bolt up to the AX15? I am looking to replace the tired 3.9 in my '97 Dakota for something with a little more umph. Also,can the flywheel off of the 3.9 work with the 5.2?
Thanks for any and all responses



Stan
Dodge Dakota
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1/06/2008
22:52:51

RE: tranny types?
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Got a crazy question?Will a NV3500 5 speed trany both up to a 1999 Dodge 1500 4 door?It is a 4x4, 5.9 liter.I have reseached a little.so far what I read.This would work.



Tnjones
Dodge Dakota
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1/08/2008
00:36:52

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I tried to return my 03 Dak because the NV3500 is a piece of s_ _ t. Above 3500 RPM it doesn't want to shift. The synchronizers can't keep up making for shifts that take a full second or more. No stepping the clutch to the floor and just ynking it to the next gear. aLSO FIRST IS SO LOW THAT YOU LOSE ALL THE POWER YOU SHOULD HAVE FROM THAT HIGH rpm SHIFT WHEN YOU GO TO SECOND (OR YOU BURN THE CLUTCH TRYING TO KEEP IT FROM STUMBLING). There was no 5 speed Dak at any dealer in my area to test drive. I special ordered my dak with the 4.7, 5 speed, 3.92 gears and tow package (mainly for the 4 wheel disks). I took the dealer for a drive and showed him how even if you very slowly work your way up into the RPM's \9as opposed to just flooring it) when you try to go to second or third, the tranny just balks until the RPM's drop back down to around 3500. If your looking for quick shifts around the 5000 RPM range like I was, the NV3500 won't do it. Also, after installing after-market cams I'm pushing close to both the tork and horsepower rating of this crappy tranny. I really don't expect it to last the life of the truck. NV stands for New Venture, a joint Chevy Chrysler venture to produce tranny's. Chevy was smarter than Chrysler with this one though. They only put this weak tranny behind their V-6's !!!!



mmm
Dodge Dakota
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1/08/2008
01:57:54

RE: tranny types?
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if your not happy that a NV3500 doesn't shift
well above 3500 RPM's, maybe you should consider
buying a -CAR- instead

after all this is a -truck-, and it does what it was designed for very well,



Tnjones
Dodge Dakota
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1/08/2008
21:06:02

RE: tranny types?
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So you NEVER drive your truck on the interstate? Never have a need for quick acceleration beyond the gear you started in? I wish I had a dollar for every time I was trying to get on the interstate and almost got run over because my TRUCK wouldn't go to the next gear without winding down 2500 RPM first! If the damn tranny will not shift in 30% of the vehicles operating RPM range, I call that a design flaw be it a truck, car, motorcycle, or bicycle.



ewraven
Dodge Dakota
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1/10/2008
03:08:22

RE: tranny types?
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The NV3500 behind my 318 works GREAT!

It also has 125,000 miles on it and is on the original clutch. The only time that is has been messed with is when I changed the fluid at 90,000 miles with some Penzoil Synchromesh.


When I am accelerating fast, I just don't power shift or shift real fast. I do shift at like 5000 RPM's and the transmission holds up great with nice slow precise shifts.

Shifting fast makes it to easy to miss shift and mechanically over rev the engine. I'd rather not blow my engine! Truck transmissions aren't made for shifting fast, the shifter is far too vague.

The engine has plenty of torque; so that on most occasions I don't have to get out of 5th gear to even get on the interstate.

A 4500 pound truck like a Dakota is not a sports car and shouldn't be treated as such.




Kota Kid
Dodge Dakota
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1/18/2008
19:48:23

RE: tranny types?
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He11 no the Dakota isn't a sports car don't insult it like that, it is however a sports truck! If you don't think a V8 powered compact truck is a sports truck and/or shouldn't be driven "spiritedly" every now and then, you need to have your head examined!

As far as the trannies go the NV3500 is junk but the AX15 is a very nice tranny. I've had 2 Daks with both of them and the AX15 I could speed shift just as good or better then the 5sp in my Mazda RX-7, the NV3500 on the other hand lets just say not nearly as much fun. Both trucks were 3.9s the AX15 was a 92 4x4, the NV3500 was a 98 2wd.

P.S.: both of my daks are well under 4000lbs let alone 4500. My 02 2wd 4.7 weighs 3458 with 3/4 tank gas and me in the drivers seat, My 99 318 4x4 weighs 3874 with 1/2 tank gas and also with me in the drivers seat. I weighed them both at the drag strip.



Tnjones
Dodge Dakota
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1/25/2008
20:05:59

RE: tranny types?
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Thanks for the back up Kota Kid. The dealer tried to feed me the same crap as ewraven. There is no way anyone will convince me it isn't a deign flaw that the tranny flat refuses to change gears above 3000 RPM. The rest of the power train is just what you said, that of a sport truck. There's really very little difference between a vehicle made to haul and one made to haul ass except weight (frame strength). In both cases you want heavy duty drive line components, excellent traction and lots of tork. You also want a fast shifting tranny. Ever try to tow a load up-hill and take several seconds to shift? You might as well not shift at all if you can't get to the next gear quickly. I've driven semi's and they don't take as long between gears as the NV3500! Of course they don't turn 5000 RPM either.



ewraven
Dodge Dakota
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2/12/2008
07:50:06

RE: tranny types?
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I definately wasn't trying to insult Dodge Dakotas. I really enjoy my Dakota.

I drive my truck spiritedly all the time as far as accelerating goes. Corners can be fun too at times. But I'm not going to drive it like I'd drive a Corvette or something and I'm especially not going to shift gears like it is a Corvette.

I also shift slow because I am probably at or near the maximum amount of rated torque that the transmission is designed for. I can't afford a new transmission right now or for that matter a new engine should I mis-shift!

I guess I need to weigh my truck again. I weighed it on a certified scale at a truck stop when I first bought it four years ago. I can't find the weight slip and was thinking that it was like 4500 with me in it. I don't recall for sure though.

Intersting about your 1999 318 4x4 weighing 3874 pounds. Mine too is a 1999 318 4x4, it is a Club Cab with the 31x10.50R15 tires.







Kota Kid
Dodge Dakota
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2/14/2008
19:40:33

RE: tranny types?
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Both of my trucks are reg cab short bed, the ext cab will account for prob 500lb or so. My 99 4x4 has the 3in Rancho lift and 33s. Oh yeah I forgot to say when the trucks were weighed the spare tires were out, so add about 50lb to the weight of my 2wd and about 75lb to my 4x4 (33in fullsize spare).



miltonwaddums
Dodge Dakota
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2/15/2008
08:27:51

RE: tranny types?
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Stan,

I recall an issue about a 360 being unable to bolt up to a NV3500(HD). However, I do believe that the 360 can bolt up to the NV4500 from the ram, but I dont know about how that tranny bolts in to the chassis. How's your fab skills?

Tnjones,

I'm not an at tranny expert, and probably never will be, but I dont think your tranny has a design defect. My NV3500 shifted like silk (for a truck) at any RPM. Yours probably has a manufacturing flaw, specifically in the synchro mesh. A good tranny shop can probably clear this up for a reasonable (but still high nonetheless) cost. And I do agree, if you have a compact V8 5 speed pickup, youre f%*<ed in the head if you dont like to rip on it every once in a while.


Jay



TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
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2/15/2008
16:55:41

RE: tranny types?
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Tnjones,

You have a bad tranny, not all the NV3500's are bad.

I ordered my 01, 4.7 with one.
I'm now making over 360ft/lbs at the crank
(Stock bottom end and heads) 300 RW ft/lbs.

When my truck was still under warranty, my third gear synchro went out after I shifted without a clutch when I blew my knee out in a sailing accident.

It took two different trips to the dealer and letting them drive it. the first guy would double clutch third, and yadda, yadda. no fix.

Took it back a few weeks later and let another guy drive it, he agreed with me, and new tranny under warranty.

If one or more of the synchros go out, etc., it will shift like crap.

My current tranny, with all that torque, shifts fine. It's not the design, it's YOUR tranny.



Kota Kid
Dodge Dakota
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2/19/2008
12:18:51

RE: tranny types?
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The nv3500 will bolt up to a 360 you just have to find a externally balanced flywheel for the 360. Can't use the internall balanced 318 flywheel on a 360.



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