Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Stranded AGAIN!!!! Sorry Dodges!!!

[Not Guilty]

In Roswell, NM with 100+ temps...

Some of you helped me out about 2 months ago when the transmission and clutch went out on my 99 CTD. It is still sitting in the shop waiting on the money to fix it.

NOW, I borrowed my son's 1997 (MMcLain) and while driving it home it broke, too!!!! Guess what? Transmission. Imagine that!!!! So here I sit in NM while the stoppid Dodge sits at the shop. That makes 2 currently parked, mine is in Pecos, TX.

Haven't gotten the verdict yet on the 97. Sure need to be at work and sure need a truck to drive.

I wonder if there is a salesman out there good enough to sell me another one these undependable vehicles. Sheesh!!!!

Karen

 

[Dkevdog]

Sorry to hear of your troubles, but the Dodge transmission is notorious for failure sitting behind the Cummins. I'll gladly take my Dodge with a troublesome transmission and beef it up with one of the fine aftermarket upgrades before I'd sit in a Ford or Chevy. Each has it's own set of failures.



Kev

 

[Seed Guy]

Dont blame dodge for transmission failures on modded trucks. Trannys should be your first mod if you plan on uping power and still having a dependable truck.

 

[JWhitcomb]

I seem to remember that when you broke the first time you were hauling heavy with livestock. Was that the case this time. I gota ask, do these trucks have added tranmission coolers on them?

 

[Not Guilty]

On the road again

Ok several hundred dollars and 2 days later I've put New Mexico behind me. The fix is temporary.



No I was not pulling a trailer, thank goodness.



It's good to see such loyal Dodge fans. Exasperating is my best description for them.



Guess I'm still a fan too though 'cause I actually am considering replacing the broke 1999 with another CTD... you can bet it won't be a 5 speed!!!

K

 

[mbaston]

I never had any problems with my 5 speed in my 2000. I now have a 6 though and it is much bulkier/beefier. A little different to shift but you get used to it.

 

[Not Guilty]

Apologizing

I apologize to those that are offended by me bad-mouthing the Dodges.



Being a female I am unfortunately too well aware of the price that can be paid for being in a vulnerable position such as being broke down on the side of the road. Needing help but not knowing what will happen when someone does stop is not much fun.



I have made it a point through the years of hauling horses all over by myself to have new well-maintained pickups to cut down on the risk. Since I drive lots of miles I switched to Dodge diesels from Chevy because the word was that they could be driven for a long time. The only pickups that have left me completely stranded have been the Dodges. Compounding all this is my out-of-sync finances at the moment. I need everything to work just right to make a comeback and the recent rash of Dodge problems is not helping.



I'm pretty sure you men out there do not want your mothers, wives, sisters or daughters sitting on the side of the road just waiting for who knows who to stop. I'm not big on that either!



So anyway, that is my gripe with these trucks. . the risk that they put me in over and over, not to mention the high cost of keeping them running. The ironic thing is that I keep going back to driving our 1990 3/4 ton Chevy with 360,000+ miles! That truck never lets me down and has been driven a lot harder than the newer fancier trucks.



Thanks for listening.

Karen

 

[klenger]

Glad to hear you are on the move again. It's OK to vent here. It's thearpy.

 

[Pit Bull]

Karen, sorry for the bad luck. Sounds like you need to carry a Motorcycle in the back of that Dodge You need to get a ETH/DEE. My wife drives a Toyota Landcruiser with 125K miles on it, but it is very dependable. I would also advise you carry a cell phone and call 911 if you break down again. That's what they are there for. Good luck.

 

[rashwor]

I understand...

where you are coming from. I worry about my wife traveling alone as well. She has a cell phone, but they don't always work in the boonies. I understand what you are saying. I will do anything to prevent my wife from being stranded.



No excuses for Dodges from here. I know people who have had serious problems. All I can say is that my wife and I have had wonderful luck with all three of our Dodge Rams. I have over 230,000 miles on my '92 CTD and it has never left me stranded. I busted the rearend and transmission on the road towing 30,000#, but it did not leave me stranded. I have 138,000+ miles on my '99 CTD and I just put an injector pump on it because it was about to leave me stranded. My wife has 54,000 miles on her '00 half-ton and has had no problems with it.



I wish you good luck with whatever you do with regard to the trucks and I hope the dice roll right on finances. I think the ETH is the way to go with what you use the truck for... but money and lack there of is the reason I DON'T have a HO 6 speed.



Vent on!

 

[Hohn]

It's funny how EVERY brand has people who will NEVER buy one again because they had a bad experience with it, while everyone around them seems to be fine. it's just the way the stats pan out and it is raw chance.



I am sorry to hear of your bad luck. It's fair to say that you are not easy on them (towing horses) but they should have held up. Overall, you are using them for what they are DESIGNED for.



I bought my ETH DEE even though I may NEVER tow at all. I figured it was going to last if it was meant for heavy work.



I would recommend Redline MTL lube in the trans. Redline products are made for the extremes, and will probably go a long way towards keeping you on the road with your poor NV4500.



Have the OD nut fixed since the trans is out. SBC should take care of the clutch just fine.



I hope the money works out for you. I would say that if you paid to get it fixed right, then it would be money well spent-- a lot cheaper than buying something else.



Hope your CTD travels in the future are better.



HOHN

(MIdland High class of 1993)

 

[Not Guilty]

So right.

Thanks for all the responses.



I'm actually seeing some humor in this.



HOHN - Guess you used to be a neighbor! Fixing it with a new transmission and SBC is the solution. As far as the OD nut... well on the 97 it has been replaced, I believe 6 times and on the 99 2 or 3 times... I forget. It has been done in different locations, different dealers and they all say the same thing. "We have fixed it right and it will stay on this time. " Hasn't yet!!! Getting real use to that one.



I have horses, a 5r, and land for sale... when something sells I will either fix up both trucks or one and buy another. Actually leaning towards a Dodge 3500 chassis cab since I really love the hauling space on those. 5 speeds NEED NOT apply. Don't even mention NV4500 in my hearing. LOL



Karen

 

[Not Guilty]

Taps please...

for the old NV4500 that ain't comming out of 5th NO MORE!!! Funny that 5th is its gear of choice since that is usually the one we are without. Had to get towed again last night.



Rode my barrel racing horse to work. Ticked her off so she through a tamtrum and pitched. Nothing like starting the morning off with a bronc ride! I'm already sore from that one.



Karen

 

[duaneparks]

Re: Taps please...

Originally posted by NotGuilty

for the old NV4500 that ain't comming out of 5th NO MORE!!! Funny that 5th is its gear of choice since that is usually the one we are without. Had to get towed again last night.



Rode my barrel racing horse to work. Ticked her off so she through a tamtrum and pitched. Nothing like starting the morning off with a bronc ride! I'm already sore from that one.



Karen

Sheesh Karen, sorry 'bout your luck. You know what I'd do? I'd replace one of those trannies with an NV5600 (6 spd) and be done with it. No 5th gear nut probs, heavier duty transmission, etc.



And there's a short shifter kit avail for it (would be a bonus to me).



So, do you have a hitchin' post at work? LOL.



Duane

 

[Not Guilty]

Blumenthals

Just got off the phone with Blumenthals... said cannot put the NV5600 in the 97 2wd. Only model that can not be converted, due to the speedometer/odometer. Figures!!!



Who needs a speedometer anyway?

K

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

The only true fix for the 5th gear problem is the fully splined mainshaft. While your transmission is out it's worth it to have it installed.