Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) newby with trans. problems

[CCryder]

I own 95 and 98 dodge 1 ton trucks both 4 wheel drives with 410 gear ratios and 5 speeds. We often drive in overdrive pulling loads to keep rpms down. I have a trans. temp. gauge to make sure the trans. does not get hot. We always shift down if it approaches 200 degrees. I also put a cooler on one. It makes no difference as I go through trans. every 12-50 thousand miles. Would a gear vender make the difference as I would have enough speed and the right rpms in the gear below overdrive. Or would I be better off going up to a newer truck with a 6 speed and different gear ratios. I love the engines as 1 has 300,000 and the other 225,000 miles with no problems whatsoever. I tow 16-25,000 lbs with wind resistance so I'm sure I'll be told I'm pulling to much but the only thing that does give me trouble is the trans. I'm thinking about going to a single axle semi but I know my fuel mileage will drop in half. Could someone let me know if it's time to give up on the dodge 1 tons or if something could remedy the trans. problems.

Thanks CCRYDER

PS I've also tried the so called trans. updates. I was told by the guy that did them I could tow in overrdrive and they would last 400000 miles. I got 20,000 on 1 and 40,000 on the second before they went. For some reason the pilot bearing si the first thing to go. Any input would be appreciated

 

[ndurbin]

Thats an awful lot of weight to be towing in OD.



What RPMs are you running? If your run the RPMs to low in 5th the 5th gear nut well come off the shaft and cause you to loose 5th. Try going thru Blumenthal Mfg. outta OKC. They build a pretty tough manual transmission (just don't get me started on their autos).



Nathan

Nathan

 

[K5IP]

In 5th gear your transmission uses the countershaft so side loads between the main shaft and counter shaft are very high with the loads you are pulling. 4th gear (high) however operates in a streight through configuration which does not involve the coountershaft so side loads on the bearings are not a problem and the goofy seim-splined 5th gear is also eliminated. The transmission itself should be quite durable in 4th so if a gear vendor can handle the load it might be a good choice.

I just rebuilt my NV4500 (100K) and only light towing, because of bearing problems. I did the fully splined shaft,gear, nut and some synchros. I was dissappointed that it did not hang in there. I did look at a conversion to a NV5600 but I did not want to spend the bucks on an older (95) truck.

Good luck

Rog