Newer '92 5 Speed Tranny in a Dakota for a Challenger?

[ShelbyDogg]

So I'm in the Junk yard again this weekend and I spot a complete "92 Dakota 2wd truck with a v6 in it, so my mind starts working. Cheaper than a Keisler,$60.  Strong enough for a truck. Already a 5 speed.

I thought that a v6 is like a regular small block with a couple of cylinders, right?.
The bellhousing and clutch SHOULD fit on the back of any small block?

If that thing bolts up, I'm going to put it into my friend's Challenger with a Hydraulic clutch and bolt a Pistol grip handle to the old shifter mount.

Has ANYBODY tried this yet?  Does Anybody know why this will not bolt up?

Rob

[Jacksboys]

I am not sure about bolting it up, but to my understanding, the 5-speed behind the V6 is weaker than the one behind the 318.  Atleast the one in my 2000 4.7L is suppose to be the heavy duty version.

[Chryco Psycho]

the Dakota trannys were not particularly strong , but I see no reason why you couldn`t make it work , make sure the fluid level is maintained or slightly overfilled , if it drops the brgs pile up

[ntstlgl1970]

Looks like it is the Aisin AX15

This doesn't look like a very strong trans

Find someone with one of these trucks for sale and have them take you for a ride or let you drive it before you spend a bunch of time making it work in your car. Most truck transmissions aren't designed to be shifted quickly.

[ShelbyDogg]

Thanks for the tips Chryco, nts, and Clinton, I'll see how it goes with my friend's car if I can talk him into it.

He want's to build a high mileage cruiser so he can "hang" with me.   He has had a painted Challenger sitting in a car trailer for at least 7 years without an engine and trans in it, so I'm trying to give him some options. 

Some of those Dakotas seem to get LOTS of abuse.  Do you hear of those trannys having lots of problems?  I see them running all around as auto parts stores parts chasers. Some with losts of miles on them.  I'll have to stop a couple to ask them.

[dtedler]

Rob - I sent you an e-mail.

[chevyconvert]

Find someone with one of these trucks for sale and have them take you for a ride or let you drive it before you spend a bunch of time making it work in your car. Most truck transmissions aren't designed to be shifted quickly.

I special ordered a '95 Dakota with the 5.2Liter V-8, 5-speed, and sure-grip.
Drove it until I totaled it in 2001. Shifted fine (fast), sounded awesome (flows), and whooped the chevy 5.7 V-8's easily.

Never had an issue with a missed shift etc..

Maybe check to see if there were two different tranny's offered for sixes and eights or if they were the same.

[Jacksboys]

Some of those Dakotas seem to get LOTS of abuse.  Do you hear of those trannys having lots of problems?   

I do not hear about many problems with the manuals, just mainly the autos.

[ShelbyDogg]

dtedler, I never got any e-mail from you.  Please resend it.


ChevyConvert,   I don't know jack about the Dakotas. I was hoping someone here new a little about the 6 or 8 cyl trannys.

[chevyconvert]

just saying living with that particular 5-spd.(assuming v-6 & v-8 used the same tranny) as a dailey driver for 6 years was positive experience.

[ShelbyDogg]

I shifted the trans in the junk yard and it shifted nicely with it's 2-1/2 foot shifter.  A short 12" pistol grip would shift even quicker.

My friend is dragging his feet about buying that, and I don't have any spare cash so that whole truck has probably been smashed by now.   Oh well, too many projects here already and not enough time and money to finish everything.     

[71bigblock]

Bummer, thats exactly what I'm looking for for my truck. 

I believe it's true that the 3.9 v6 is the same bolt pattern for any small block, as well as the 5.7 hemi.  Thats what I want one for, for the 5.7 I will be getting soon.  I need to scrounge some local yards here. 

There's no reason a truck transmission cant handle what a stock smallblock will give.  A truck is meant to pull. 

$60?  Wow, that sounds like a deal to me.  I've been looking on the bay and stuff, and they go for a couple hundred bucks. 

Hope this pointless rambling helps.