Looking to replace the transminssion in my 94 Dodge Dakota 4x4 with one of the many that I have spied at the local pick n pull. There are many to choose from due to the C.A.R.S. program. They destroyed the motors but left everything else alone so its not a bad place to look for parts. Anyway, I'm not real sure how to tell a A500 from an A518. I would like to take a transmission off of a Durango or even possibly a Grand Cherokee because they have a couple of these models which have less than 100,000 miles and all the Dakotas have between 160,000 and 230,000. At present my truck has 216,000 miles but the motor only has about 60,000 and is still strong. Is there some way to recognize the difference by just looking at the trans from below or maybe by looking at the vin #? Any help please!!! Don;t want to bring home the wrong one.....especially since I have to pull it myself.
Thanks for any ideas
Howard

The link wasn't helpful at all for identification purposes for the original poster, me either. . .

I did a short search on Google and found the following image comparing a few Dodge transmissions. Several other links can be found on how to read the ID number and decode it to find out what you have, but not being a Dodge guy meant more work than I thought necessary when the original poster can do the same.

This doesn't look really helpful to me but I'm not a Dodge guy.

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the A500 is based of the 904 trans line... same pan shape-design.

the 518 is based off the 727 trans .. same pan design - shape.

the 518 will have a 8 pin round black plastic plug.. I have no photos ,sorry

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At the Bonneville Salt Flats... 130mph is known as First gear ...............

Here's a link to a site that has pics of the 518, but sadly none of the 500 both are listed at this link provided.

http://www.charlietranny.com/Chrysler.htm

__________________
I'm actually making progress on my 1988 Suburban TH-700R4 to SM-465 transmission swap, CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT.
CanAm Chevelle Club
700R4 Basics
700R4 Basics W/pics
______

Try this picture along with the diagram above. or go to this link to view: http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/..._identification


Far left is 518, far right is 500

Attached Thumbnails

 

O.K. As far as I can tell the major difference between the A500 and the A518 is the length. The 518 is 1/2 inch longer. The 8 pin round electrical connection is on the electronic unit and the hydraulic unit has a round 3 pin electrical connection. Both are four wheel drive compatible. The later model Dakotas eventually switched to the electronic 518. I found an early model Grand Cherokee with the same 3 pin connection as my Dakota. I hope the length is the same after attaching my transfer case. Will the 1/2 inch make that much difference? I don't know that now, but I will soon find out. If it matters then I will have to take it back. Anyways, Thanks for unlocking my brain and giving me some other informational options. Sometimes these computers forget that we're only human and they offer us too many options to choose from. Picking one sometimes leads to the never ending black hole of confusion, and once you get sucked in every answer leads to more questions until eventually you end up like Elmer Fudd wandering around with that "silly yah but" look of confusion. Until next time, and there will be a next time because I own a Dodge, Thanks again

Most Dakotas used a case UNIQUE to the Dakotas. Most transmissions out of other applications will NOT fit a Dakota UNLESS you re-case them into your old case.

Parts between 500s and 518s generally do not interchange, so you cannot re-case one into the other.

If you find a transmission that will work but has the wrong overdrive section, you can swap the whole overdrive assembly as a unit. Note that the transmission must be correct compared to yours, or the OD assembly may not fit.



Early 500s and 518s used a yellowish 2 or 3 pin plug. These are governor controlled.

Late 500s and 518s used a black 8 pin plug. These are electronically controlled.