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Howard
Dodge Dakota
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11/21/2009
15:26:46
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 Subject: 1994 Dakota-chee
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Looked all over for a replacement transmission and found one that appeared like an exact match in a 95 Grand Cherokee so I snatched it and took her home. After dropping the one in my 94 4x4 and comparing the two side by side they are identical in every way except???????
The Grand Cherokee has the starter and battery located on the passenger side and the Dakota starter and battery are located on the drivers side...HMMMMM now what? The bell housing bolts up to my 5.2 perfectly, transfer case also a perfect fit, linkages match up so I'm using it. I got the thing at Pick-n-pull on one of their 1/2 off every part weekend sale and I don't like returning stuff that was 1/2 price, no matter what this is GOING to work!!!! Got it in and besides rerouting the wires and putting a strategicly placed indentation in the oil pan it fits perfect. Now I still needed to replace my engine and I have got a good deal on a clean 96 5.2L which is also in a Grand Cherokee. So I Bought it and I am in the process of making the switch but now I am having a tough time getting the torque converter to match up with the flexplate. I know they will only bolt up one way and I have tried all four possibilities twice and even thought I had it once but the fourth bolt was not even close so I had to start over. Its a bitch crawling in and out from under the truck to spin the next bolt into position every time. Any one got a secret trick for getting these things to line up? Even if it isn't a secret I'd still consider trying it because right now I only have one available nerve left and my wife has been on it all day. If this doesn't come together soon something is going to get broke!!!! It won't be something that belongs to me because all my stuff is "cheap".. All my stuff except for this Dodge Dakotachee money pit. I swear it spends more time on jackstands than it does on the road. Maybe I should look into the cost of a good used tow truck??? That might be the only way for me to put any miles on my Dakotachee being hooked up behind my own tow truck?? Any body else smell what I'm steppin in?? AHHHH YESSSS Life is Good...
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wilky
Dodge Dakota
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11/25/2009
01:04:01
| RE: 1994 Dakota-chee
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why dont you try to use the other flex-plate thats on the other motor. see if the bolts line up on the crank shaft first you already know that they match the torq-converter. just an idea.
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Howard
Dodge Dakota
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11/25/2009
03:59:30
| RE: 1994 Dakota-chee
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Message:
Thanks for the advice Wilky. That is exactly what I had to do. Pulled the engine out enough to access the flexplate, removed it and placed it directly over the one that was attached to my old motor. Looked like a good match, installed it, reset the motor and bolted it down, bolted the trans. back up to the motor and started to attach the flexplate to the torque converter, got to the last bolt and son of a --tch same problem!!! Tried a second time and same results. Appearantly when I checked the bolt pattern I somehow reinstalled the same flexplate. Pulled the motor a thid time, removed the flexplate and this time I flight tested it half way accross the street where it began a roll test. After enjoying the results of these tests I was ready to attach the other flexplate to the crankshaft. Reset the motor again, bolted it down and sure enough it bolted right up to the torque converter. Got everything else put together and reached through the window, turned the key and whahlah. Starts right up and purrs like new. After letting it run it was time for a road test. Made it about 2 blocks before something started smoking and then the truck finally would not move. Popped the hood up and discovered transmission fluid everywhere. The pressure side of the cooling lines had not been secured tight enough and it blew off the radiator and still pumped fluid out. Once it hit the fan blades it went everywhere. Took almost 2 days to clean up the mess but after fixing that line I noticed water was now dripping. Took a torque wrench to the water pump bolts and the water stopped dripping. Got these things taken care of and now there is a new unforeseen problem developing. The changes to the grand cherokee engine and transmission has caused the Dakota to run faster than it ever did and now I'm going to need new rear tires because these keep leaving perfectly good rubber stuck to the asphalt. Can't have that, Or can I????
Later.
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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11/25/2009
08:47:31
| RE: 1994 Dakota-chee
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Howard, as ususal, amother colorful story of your adventures in Dakota Land. Glad you got 'er going again.
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Bucket
GenII
11/25/2009
11:09:44
| RE: 1994 Dakota-chee
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You always gotta appreciate someone who can articulate an experience and put it writing....great story !!!
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