Caravan Transmission Options

Looks as if you'd better take a break from reading for awhile, you've got your information all crossed up. First off, the A604 was the "UltraDrive", not the "Ultramatic". Secondly, all of the transmissions are Chrysler-built, none is Mitsubishi-built. The 3.0 litre V6 *ENGINE* is a Mitsubishi-built unit. The (Chrysler-built) 3-speed automatic, which may or may not still be available in vans with smaller engines but is NOT available in any Grand minivan, has a better reliability record than the

DS

The A413 3-speed hydro-mechanical trans is a Chrysler make, and is very reliable. Unfortunately, I don't think it was offered with anything other than the 3.0L Mitsubishi engine, which is a bad choice for a Grand (if even available.) In a short wheelbase van ('92-'95 is what I'm familiar with) the 3.0L/3 speed is adequate, but the engine is prone to top-end problems, e.g. cylinder head gasket leaks, etc.

--Geoff

I've a spanking new GC with the OD transmission and 3.8L engine. What is the recommended steps to take care of them properly?

Jeremiah McNeal wrote: > I have heard however, that the three speed

In the first place, the 3-speed is NOT a Mitsubishi, its a Chrysler and is heavily based on the old rear-drive A-904. Yes, its reliable. In the second place, the biggest PROBLEM with the 3-speed is that it was usually only available behind the Mitsubishi 3.0 v6, which (being a Mitsubishi) was a pile of oil burning junk. If you get a 3-speed behind a Chrysler 2.5L 4-cylinder, then you have a very reliable (albeit underpowered) van.

-Follow the "Severe Service" fluid and filter change schedule no matter how you use the van

-Use ONLY ATF+4 fluid, never anything else with "an additive" to "make it the same as ATF+4" because that is impossible

-If you don't have a transmission cooler, install one

That makes one of you.

DS

"jdoe"

| Follow the severe service schedule, use ONLY Mopar +4 fluid in the trans, | oil & filt with recomended viscosity and quality filter at 3 mo or 3k | intervals (whichever comes first), you'll have a very nice runner for many | many miles. | Larry |

Change transmission fluid and filter every 3K or 3 months? That makes sense for the engine oil but the transmission?

Drive it reasonably, and change the fluid and filter every 30,000 or so. And don't tow a horse trailer with it.

Matt

...

Follow the severe service schedule. Hopefully you chose the trailer tow pkg. If not, add a cooler.

Thanks for all the info... that is why I asked!

"Tom Ruta" | ... | >> I've a spanking new GC with the OD transmission and 3.8L engine. What is | >> the recommended steps to take care of them properly? | >

| >Drive it reasonably, and change the fluid and filter every 30,000 or so. | > And don't tow a horse trailer with it. | | Follow the severe service schedule. Hopefully you chose the trailer | tow pkg. If not, add a cooler.

Thanks

trailer package was not available but the cooler is a standard up grade in our family has been for more years than I can remember.

Is there a better choice on the make/model/type of cooler I should investigate?

Engine Oil every 3 months.

Trans Fluid Flush EVERY YEAR - NO EXCEPTI>

There was lots of old info posted by a lot of the posters.

Assuming that you are talking about getting a new Caravan, the 3 speed transmission is no longer available. I'm talking about in the U.S.A.

Until the model year 2002 it was available only in the short wheelbase Caravan with the 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine. I've got a 2002 4 cyl, 3 speed Caravan built in Auguest of 2002 - an early production 2002 model. Ones that I've seen built after January 2002 all had the 4 speed transmission and it was/is no longer listed as available in the Dodge catalogs.

Approximately mid year during the 2002 production, they dropped the 3 speed transmission and all further production used the 4 speed overdrive transmissions regardless of engine.

Doug

What if you drive 10,000 miles every 3 months? Mileage is more important than time for oil, unless you drive so little that your oil changes would stretch beyond 6 months or so.

Again, mileage is almost always more important than time in this case.

Matt