Expert: Mike Evans - 11/10/2009

Question
Will a transmission out of an 87 Dodge Single Cab 4x4 pickup fit in my 80 2wd Dodge Club Cab? I plan on replacing the engine and transmission out of the 80 model with the ones out of the 87.

Answer
    That's a big maybe.  If they're both 727 transmissions and you can save the tailshaft from the older transmission to bolt on where the transfer case went on the newer one it will probably work.  There may be some minor differences, but you should be able to get around them.  But it's enough work that I think I'd try to find the correct transmission first.  No matter how much newer the other trans is, you don't really know if it's in better shape.  Chrysler transmissions are very simple and sturdy, but they are finicky about internal cleanliness and, if left too long, cannot simply be flushed out and used.