Bought a 88 D150 4x4, need trans advise

[moparguy]

I picked up a well used 89 short bed, reg cab 4x4 with 318 and auto trans at a auction this weekend with plans to install a 4BT. The engine seems to be fine, but it's only got 1st gear (could be second) in the transmission, no reverse. Anyone know of something other than a rebuild that could be checked to make it driveable.



I checked the fluid, added a qt. , no change. A lot of wires are cut, zero maintenance for quite a while, I'm thinking it was the kids play truck at the farm. If I can make it driveable, it'll help sort out and correct issues while I look for a 4BT. I'll change fluid and filter tomorrow, just don't hold out much hope that's the problem.



Thanks, RR

 

[ekroman]

The most important advice I can give: let it idle in neutral for a few minutes, check the oil level, go through all the gears again, check the oil level again in neutral. Make sure the kickdown is attached and adjusted correctly, had that give me a problem on my 85 D100 years ago.



You'll have to look up in the book on the kickdown, I know it was 10 years ago and I had to borrow a friend's book back then!



The extent of my knowledge has been reached.



Good luck

Eddie

 

[RonaldLarson]

Maybe....

If memory serves me, second and reverse are the same band in the transmission. Could be the band is broken or has no lining.

Ron

 

[Philip]

No reverse is usually a sign of a broken rear band. Most common causes of this is trying to rock a stuck vehicle out with a lot of throttle being used.



When you drop the pan. Unbolt the valve body and let it down and see if any spare parts fall out. The lug off of the band is probably laying on top of the valve body.