Dakota 5 speed manual transmission in a 70 Cuda Converible with 318Ci

[cbrxxtreme]

I know it has been done before, but cannot find info on this swap. Currently a 318 with a 3 speed manual, would love to convert to a 5 speed manual trans out of a Dodge Dakota. Has anyone on here done this, or similar, and how hard of a swap is it. Thanks for any input!!!!

[Jousi]

Hi, better option is to swap a Toyota Supra 5-speed, R154.
It is bit more expensive but better rations and stronger. You just need from Dakota the bellhousing and throw out bearing and it's slider/input bearing cover.
Then some floor cutting, prop shaft modification, hydraulic clutch, also if you have 130 teeth flywheel you need to relocate starter closer on the bellhousing. And some small other issues.

I have been driving with R154 now three summers with a 5.7 Hemi and 350rwhp without problems.

[aris_unlimited]

Unless you have a stock 318 and aren't planning on upgrading I wouldn't do it. General consensus when checking on my dakota is that the 5 speed is only meant to handle 300 tq. Much more that and it is a problem waiting to happen.

[Jousi]

Yes, that why R154 is better choice...

[cbrxxtreme]

Ok, so it isn't a direct swap, was just curios, and the 318 has had a bit of work, thought the Dakota trans were beefier. How about the 5 speeds out of a Ram 1500 from 94 to 2001? A few were 318 trucks with 5 speeds, but if it means cutting the car up I won't do it. Thanks agian for the input!!!!

[ShelbyDogg]

I'm planning on doing a similar swap. The only problem I see is the shifter location, which pops out of the hump center instead of the rear left. Making a remote shifter linkage is something I've had in my mind for a while now.

I'm still working on a guy who had an ad on craigslist to get the engine and trans cheap. The Magnum engine would be easy for me to get running in an older car.

[aris_unlimited]

Ok, so it isn't a direct swap, was just curios, and the 318 has had a bit of work, thought the Dakota trans were beefier. How about the 5 speeds out of a Ram 1500 from 94 to 2001? A few were 318 trucks with 5 speeds, but if it means cutting the car up I won't do it. Thanks agian for the input!!!!

From what I understand the Rams used the same manual transmission. So I wouldn't expect too much out of them.

[viper21700]

The Dakotas and the rams used e it her the ax15 arisen transmission or the nv3550 transmission. If its a later model 98- up then it should be the nv3550. The aisen was only rated to 300. The nv is the same transmission the five speed cummins diesels had.

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[rUNCHARGER]

The Dakota and 318 1500s used an NV3500, the diesels and 360's used an NV4500 which is much stronger and much larger. We have a Dakota NV3500 complete with flywheel etc. and it's fairly small but I haven't seen how much a guy would have to cut.

Sheldon

[ShelbyDogg]

From what I've seen of the Mopar guys abusing, hauling and towing with their Dakotas and Ram 1500s, I think that tranny can handle a little e-body with a potent small block, burning up tires.

[cbrxxtreme]

From what I've seen of the Mopar guys abusing, hauling and towing with their Dakotas and Ram 1500s, I think that tranny can handle a little e-body with a potent small block, burning up tires.

Kinda what I was thinking, never heard of a 5 speed going bad... just the automatics. But I don't wanna cut the car up to make it work, too much sentimental value. Guess I'll freshen up the old 4 speed in the back garage. Thanks for all the replies, and help!!

[tbone416]

how about 4 speed Overdrive out of a truck or a Fbody it just bolts in!

[aris_unlimited]

Kinda what I was thinking, never heard of a 5 speed going bad... just the automatics. But I don't wanna cut the car up to make it work, too much sentimental value. Guess I'll freshen up the old 4 speed in the back garage. Thanks for all the replies, and help!!

I'll be the first one to share with you then lol. The 5 speed in my dakota went out a couple of months ago it was the nv3500 behind a 318 magnum. Had a bearing pretty much disintegrate. I was towing a 2007 tahoe out of a pit a couple weeks prior, my theory is that's what did it.

[Chryco Psycho]

I have gone trough a few of the Dakota trannys , not very durable in the Dakota or Ram 1500 .
The 833 OD from  the pick up  or van is the direct bolt in  both truck OD 833 has the shifter mount in the correct location .
Thanks Rob , no the heat is not getting to me or losing my marbles just got sidetracked thinking this was an A body swap 
 

[ShelbyDogg]

I have gone trough a few of the Dakota trannys , not very durable in the Dakota or Ram 1500 .
The 833 OD from the Aspen Volare  would be the best swap , simple bolt in deal , the pick up od 833 has the shifter mount in a different location so is not a bolt in

Neil, the A-body trans is shorter, The truck trans has both the front and rear mount and if not drilled can be drilled and tapped to mount the shifter in the proper place.

You know this, is the heat getting to you. What the hey! Too much on your mind?