First post guys so take it easy on me guys. I'm looking at a 94 Dodge dually with a diesel. Having never even driven a diesel till today I have a few questions before I jump in an purchase this truck. First off the thing has 310,000 miles and has been neglected as far as maintenance cosmetically. Chances are that mechanically its in about the same shape. It runs great and shifts quick and hard. Question is how many miles can you expect out of the automatic transmissions? My first thought is that if it goes soon I will just put a 5 speed stick in it and call it good. I like the auto but dont know what to expect life wise?

 

i've been concerned abut mine as well,95 with about 200k. Been told they are the weak link.Not knowing the service history of mine I took it in to a local shop and had a service done. fluid was good and no particles in the pan. I think like most things it's hit or miss with the dodge tranny's. I am already looking into a rebuild,got a guy in north jersey who claims to build a rock solid trans and gets the conv.rebuilt claims it'll take 200 more lbft of torq. 3100.00 with a 100,000 mi warranty. waiting for the right time.
I;m guessing that like most auto's 200,000 miles or more means luck is on our side if it's still doin its job. Oh yeah,the cost of this shops rebuild includes the removal and installation. I figure I'm going to have him do it next summer(if I don't need it sooner that is).

 

That's about right on the rebuild price. The last one I had rebuilt, the mech said...change the filter/fluid 1/year and you'll really extend the life of the tranny as many people don't do this. It's pretty easy if you install a simple drain plug in the tranny pan.

 

303,000 miles on mine. Had an ATS Stage IV installed at 107,000 and it's worked flawlessly ever since.

 

286000 k on my stock tranny , I did install a single disk bill torque converter because it was slipping. The tranny shifts great and I have replaced the fluid and filter every 50000 klm as did the previous owner.

 

245,000 so far but I have to be careful and it does need a new TC badly.
As mentioned these units do NOT like running worn/dirty fluid.