Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 5th gear 5th time

[Not Guilty]

Lost the 5th again for the 5th time on my 99. Every time it has been fixed somewhere on the road at a different place and every time they say that THEY are the ones who know how to fix it.



About this time last year I lost 1st, 2nd 3rd and 5th. (not included in the 5 times) so I got a Blumenthal's transmission to solve the 5th gear issue with the fully-splined main shaft. Apparently I was wrong. This fix didn't last any longer than any others.



Is there a fix or is this kinda like having to change the oil routinely?



Maybe a new truck is the best solution!!!



Karen

 

[JBHale]

To start off how do you drive your truck? Do you pull anything or just solo? What are your driving habits, I. E. when do you shift gears( rpm)? Don't lug the engine, If you tow shift at almost redline, and if not don't shift into 5th anything lower than 2000, that way your not under 1600 when it picks up.

 

[Not Guilty]

Thanks for the reply

Lots of questions... Lets see yes I tow lots. Horses, cattle, hay and the occassional backhoe. I normally run high rpms, however, i do drive under 2000 in 5th some. In fact this last time I had 4 horses and was climbing a mountain pass getting ready to drop it into 4th even though it was pulling just fine when the 5th quit me again. it had just dropped to just below 2000.



truck has 201,000+ miles on it and this transmission only has about 50,000. People around here ofen take their vehicles to Mexico for repairs and one Dodge I know that works basically the same as mine has been running 3 years on the Mexico fix. I'm thinking about taking mine over, specially since they charge about $100.



Anyway, just curious if there is some sort of "magic" fix out there.

Karen

 

[JBHale]

I wander if it is possible to double fifth gear nut it? I can't remember if there were enough threads left to install a second nut behind the first one. I know that the first one would have to have some grinding done to it to allow the second to make good contact.

 

[RT66DOC]

I think the "magic fix" would be a 6 spd but it would sure cost more than 100 bucks.



My old Uncle Fred was always fond of Mexican Auto Repair. He used to say, "Give 3 mexicans a hammer, screwdriver and a pair of pliers and they can fix anything on wheels. "

 

[DBoyd]

How 'bout a '99 with a six speed. I got one for sale.

 

[Not Guilty]

DBoyd,

Now there's a thought. Tried to convert mine to a six speed last year, but there was nobody within 150 miles that could do it and I did not want to tow it any further.



Trade ya!!!

 

[Not Guilty]

Mexico Auto Repair

RT66DOC



There is a lot of truth to getting a lot done with very little. I have had the opportunity to have numerous Mexico Mexicans work for me and they do amazing stuff without all the tools and gadgets we find neccessary.



It is really fascinating to what some of them can do with livestock using local weeds or used products, such as motor oil and bacon grease, or even a pocketknife.

 

[RT66DOC]

NotGuilty



1 Mexican + 1 Swiss Army Knife > Mr. Goodwrench



BTW, Just how "far west Texas"? El paso? Dalhart?

 

[Not Guilty]

Dalhart!!! oh my gosh no. I was just there last week. had no idea land could be so FLAT. makes Lubbock and Amarillo look like the hill country!!!

200 miles east of El Paso in the Davis Mountains, elevation - one mile, low humidity, great weather, no traffic lights, forever to anywhere and not many income opportunities.

 

[DBoyd]

Sounds like a fine place to retire to!! Do you have any problems with illegals wandering thru?? I am down here on the coast near Corpus where the temp and humidity run about the same all the time.

 

[Not Guilty]

We do have illegals traveling thru this country, though not too many problems. Drugs are a lot bigger. Lots and lots of drug traffic. It is best out here if you see someone in a remote area to assume drugs are involved and keep that in mind before going up to visit. Folks disappear and bodies sometimes turn up in the desert along the Rio.

Makes for interesting experiences.

 

[DBoyd]

I work for a major pipeline co. down here and the line starts at the Rio Grande and ends on the east coast. The illegals use the right of way like an interstate highway. They get on it and head out!!

 

[SMorneau]

Anybody who can fix 5th gear can probably do the swap which is not all that difficult. The driveshaft work may be a stumbler for some.



As far as comparing your fix with a friends fix, I think driving habits are the important part of the equation and longevity may also vary with the individual engine as to degree of torsional vibration.



Fixing the same problem gets old doesn't it :{

 

[DBoyd]

Doesnt' SBC offer a clutch flywheel package to convert to the 6 spd with the 1 3/8 input shaft? I just replaced my trans and had a heck of a time finding the 1. 25 6 spd to replace it. Had I not just replaced the clutch with the OFE I would have rounded up the trans and upgrade clutch to replace it.

 

[RT66DOC]

DBoyd "Doesnt' SBC offer a clutch flywheel package to convert to the 6 spd with the 1 3/8 input shaft?"

Yes they do.



Dalhart. Good old friend of mine (RIP) had a family ranch in Dalhart. He was an Aggie, WWII P-51 pilot with 3 "victories", and eventually self-made very-wealthy-person. Whenever I asked, "How ya doin' Sam?" he'd say, "Pretty good today but I sure ain't buyin' any green bananas. "

 

[djacy99]

Did you check your transfer case. I went thru alot of 5th gears. The splines would wear off the shaft after 20,000 or 30,000 miles. The front case was shot where the input shaft bearing is pressed in. It was causing a vibration. Any way I did get smart and put in the six speed. I only wish I would have seen the light many $1,000 ago.

 

[DBoyd]

Spent many good times over at Dalhart at the XIT rodeo and celebration. That was quite a ranch in its day.

 

[Not Guilty]

Have not checked the transfer case. Good idea. I have to have the pilot bearing replaced also, can barely get it into 1st and reverse so maybe I'll just have them do a thorough work over.



Somebody mentioned a P-51. Have you watched the CAF Airshos with the P-51s?

 

[TnLRacing]

Although not a dodge, the Late 90's chevys also used the NV trans and were prone to 5th gear problems. I can recall one customer here who we double nutted his unit, and used Red loctite to secure it, he went 75,000 trouble free miles, and traded the truck in. I still see the truck on the road, and the new owner who now has about 145000 mile has had Zero Trouble