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Thread: Source for rebuilt transmission?

  1. #1

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    Source for rebuilt transmission?

    Anybody know of a source for a "fresh" rebuilt 5-speed Mitsubishi KM145 transmission for the 1980 D-50?

  2. #2

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    i just rebuilt my transmission. the rebuild kit is about $175 on ebay and it covers the transmission and transfer case (if you have a 4x4). is your tranny totally wasted or just needing a rebuild. the tranny shop here wanted only $300 if i brought them the tranny and rebuild kit. i looked for a rebuilt tranny and they were almost $1000. the only places i found them were ebay and napa. it was $950 to take the truck in and have the tranny removed, rebuilt, and re-installed at ammco. here's the link to the tranny on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mitsubishi-D...d0c6#ht_500wt_
    Last edited by PowerRam348; 01-18-2012 at 01:23 PM.

  3. #3

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    Got myself into a bind now. Had a running transmission with a bad output shaft. Had the one from my truck which had blown 1st gear. Found a transmission shop who told me $250 plus parts to take the two and make one good one. Five weeks later, after what seems like 50 calls trying to get them, he finally tore them down. Now he says "5th gear is pitted in the one" ... "don't know if I can get parts" ... oh and the labor will now be more because I tore apart two of them." Never calls me back. Shop had good recommendations. Now I'm probably out the transmissions, which are in pieces, and no core to trade in on a rebuilt, if I can find one.
    Seems like I encounter every dishonest business and person in Portland ... I just get so sick of this BS ....
    Okay, through sniveling.

  4. #4

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    did you check out the link for the one on ebay? check out napa as well and see what they have to offer. i know that there are a couple of pretty awesome pick and pull yards up there in portland. i know that the fm-145 transmission is the same as the km-145. i'm not sure what the differences are between the two other than the designation.

  5. #5

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    Looked at the eBay one; I was hoping for less than $1,000 plus I don't have a core any more.
    Called around Portland and none of the wrecking yards have one.
    Couldn't get the link to the one in the Dallas to work.
    I really want to just buy a freshly rebuilt one from a company that doesn't screw people over, if there are any more of those left ... :-(

  6. #6


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    Not sure if this helps but all the "rebuild" kits I have found for the KM145 list 1979-1986 ram and the 83-86 MM with the 2.4L as all being the same. The 2 listings are 23mm shaft and 26mm shaft, but the 26MM was for the 4x4.
    Last edited by Fordubishi; 01-18-2012 at 05:37 PM.

  7. #7

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    Good info; thanks!

  8. #8

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    is your truck 2 wheel drive or 4 wheel drive. here are some craigslist adds for d-50's you could pull a tranny from plus have extra parts

    http://bend.craigslist.org/cto/2741969199.html

    http://medford.craigslist.org/cto/2791905628.html

  9. #9

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    do you know whether you have a wide block or a narrow block?

  10. #10

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    It's the 5-speed manual bellhousing spacing, not the other one, the automatic.
    Irony is I just got through tearing down a organ donor 1979 for the engine and tranny.
    Then the transmission shop screwed me, or is in the process of doing that.
    I'm on my way there today for a face-to-face to find out just what BS they are pulling.

    The wife says "screw it. Take your lumps and buy a reman off eBay or where ever."

    Wise lady.

    Quote Originally Posted by PowerRam348 View Post
    do you know whether you have a wide block or a narrow block?

  11. #11

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    By the by, you guys on this board have been the best advice/help on my "Mitzi" than anywhere else. Wish I had found it before I got into this mess. The truck deserves better ... :-)

  12. #12

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    for the years '79-'89 there is a narrow block and a wide block engine. is your lower bell housing bolt spacing 12.5 inches or 13.25 inches. 12.5 is a narrow block and 13.25 is a wide block. check the wiki for where to measure the bell housing.
    Last edited by PowerRam348; 01-19-2012 at 10:01 AM.

  13. #13

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    My notes say 13 1/4", which is for the 5-speed manual.

    I measured it the last time I changed out a blown tranny.

    Quote Originally Posted by PowerRam348 View Post
    for the years '79-'89 there is a narrow block and a wide block engine. is your lower bell housing bolt spacing 12.5 inches or 13.25 inches. 12.5 is a narrow block and 13.25 is a wide block. check the wiki for where to measure the bell housing.

  14. #14

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    After some talk I got the cost of the rebuild down to $700 cash. New bearing kit with syncros, gaskets, and seals; new 1/2 shift fork, new 5/R shift fork, 5th gear (used but not pitted) and the 1st gear and others from the donor transmission I had. Shop gave me a nice discount for cash :-)
    I think they are pretty good rep wise, although it took a long time and many phone calls to get them to complete the work. The place was packed with cars having tranny work (new shop) and a nice race car was sitting outside waiting for work on it. 6 month 6k mile warranty.
    The 5th gear in BOTH trannys had a lot of little pits which he said came from static electricity damage and weakened the gear making them prone to loose teeth. Said only use Pennzoil Syncromesh GL4 oil in them or the brass syncros would get eaten up.
    Also interesting is he pointed out the differences between a couple of these transmissions of '79-80 vintage; they are not all the same. Like the bearing for the input shaft is different, one will not fit into the race of the other; different snap ring diameters, etc.
    I thought they were all identical, but apparently there are different versions of the KM145. Showed me how ordering rebuild kits off the Internet can leave one with the wrong parts ...
    Last edited by Kerrigan; 02-08-2012 at 11:19 AM.

  15. #15




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    I had mine rebuilt in Geronimo (1980 5spd) but I bought all the parts from the Dodge dealer years ago before I needed them - had a great friend behind the counter that was the parts mgr - gave me the garage discount on all my parts. 35 - 40 off list and he found me the last 1st gen drivers door in the country when I needed it. I even got all the shims and spacers to go with it. The 1980 trucks are tricky as the build date affects a lot of the assemblies on the truck. Before 11-79 PS pump has integral reservoir - after 11/79 it is separate. Trannies have different input shaft diameters and bearings internal to the tranny. The list goes on and on ... Geronimo is a 6-79 build, but has a mix of the best of all 1st gen parts. You would be surprised how many parts that look the same would not fit from early to late 1980...
    Last edited by pennyman1; 02-08-2012 at 04:45 PM.
    Pennyman1
    The best Dodge that Dodge never made
    Living the D-50 lifestyle since 1980

  16. #16

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    Pennyman's response makes me glad I had the one I pulled from Mitzi rebuilt. Now I'll let the current used one run out it's life and have the replacement sitting on the shelf. Next nearly impossible item I need to locate is a 1975 Model 20 Dana Transfer case, with the divorced mount input nose would be perfect!

    Oh, and have my spare organ donor 2.6ltr rebuilt and de-Californiaikated ...

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