are the ATS, DTT, etc.. trannys sealed? What I mean is can I drive thrugh a river and submerge the trans and it won't take on any water? if not, what do I need to do to seal it up?

thanks!

 

All the automatics are quite reliable under water- I've only got experience with DTT, so bear with me.
The case and all the stuff that determines water tightness was not modified in my case. The transmission has some electrical contacts that could get you into troubles.
The transfer case is another story, while the automatic does vent up through the dipstick the transfer case vents down there.
Something else you'll have to consider (aside of axle vents) are the many vacuum lines under the truck- front axle disconnect, some fun on the upside of the tranny, etc.

Just wildly flinging my cents around here

AlpineRAM

 

I have to agree with Alpine here, the tranny is the least of your worries. Check out the fuel tank for a breather, the transfer case, vacuum lines and all the myriad of electrical connections.

You can fill the electrical connectors with dielectric grease, that can help. But over all these trucks are not built to act as submarines.

I cringe when ever I see somebody running there 4x4 in water more than a couple of inches deep. They are not set up for this type of service, and a great deal of heartache can arise from using them in this manner.

Grab a creeper and spend some time under the truck, you will soon see many possible problem areas.

 

so far I have found the vent for the front axle, the rear axle which were both extended to about the top of the hood. I also found a tube coming out the top of the transfer case which I stuck a hose on and ran it up too.

should I put some silicon around the bottom of the dipstick tube on the tranny? also if I got a posi lok then I wouldn't have to worry about the vaccum lines on the front axle.
what else?

 

I agree, the tranny isn't the problem. It's the vent lines, electrical connectors(there's more down there than you think), pretty much any nook and cranny is going to be a problem area (especially if it will hold water and not let it drain out).

 

Be very careful abóut the vac lines. If you tear one up the "exhaust" of the vacuum pump is in the crankcase. Tear EG the front CAD under water you'll fill your crankcase with water.

The fuel tank vent is also too low - I extended mine up to the filler cap. (With a filter)

If you take good care on the obvious stuff these trucks are fun o offroad and will accept lots of water.

AlpineRAM

 

the dodge trans vents at the top of the pump in the bellhousing not the dipstick.

 

can you attach a vaccum hose to that and run it up somewhere?

 

i doubt it it is a cast hole in the pump housing with a plastic cover over the hole inside the trans. torgue converter runs very close to the hole

 

If you are set on playing submarime, talk to a trans shop about moving the vent.
I have seen some that were plugged and moved to the rear of the case. Then you can add some hose to raise it.
Of course it requires the trans to be removed.

 

do you think I can have ATS or DTT or whoever I get my tranny from do that? how much more would it cost me?

 

I think that if you go for a complete tranny it shouldn't cost a fortune. (I forgot that I modded mine to breathe through the dipstick. Closed off the other bore, made a small hole into the dipstick tube and attached a filter. Dipstick never blew out seals are dry so it works for me.)

AlpineRAM