I'm looking to put a "car" 833 into a 2wd Dakota in the future. I know these trucks came with "truck" version 833s, I don't want to mess with those. I'm curious as to if a short style A body tailshaft transmission would fit better or would the B/E style fit better for shifter location if converting from an automatic... Probably something like a vertigate will be used.

Sorry the 833 was never put in the Dakota from the factory.
And I he only 833 put in any truck was the "OD" version. Which wasn't in anything heavier than a 1/2 ton. It was a "light duty" trans at best for trucks. That said I put an 833OD in a short bed 79 d100 and I abused the living hell out of it.,not rough driving but used that 1/2 ton harder than some use their 1 tonners

thanks. I've read they were od 833s in dakotas. But whatever, doesn't matter because that's not what transmission I want to use

Our local junkyards are full of mid 90/2000 Dakotas and Trucks with 4 sps.

You sure bout that? I've never seen a stick Dakota that didn't have 5 speeds (and no I'm not counting reverse)

Not a 4 speed manual from the factory ever. Only 4 speed auto and 5 speed manual. until the 5 speed 545rfe automatic in mid 2000 behind the 4.7 and the 6 peed manual in 06-08

Well boys, the 1989 Dakota factory service manual (could be an 88 Dakota service manual, its in the garage and I'm not going out there to look at what year it is for) has repair instructions for the aluminum case 833 OD 4 speed in it. Can't imaging Mopar putting all that info into the service manual if the trans wasn't used in production. The 833 OD 4 speed was used behind the 3.9 carb motor, but was replaced by 90 with a GV2500 5 speed. That too was replaced around mid year 92.

What I've found says the OD 833 has the large front bearing flange, so a standard 833 would need a spacer if it doesn't have the large bearing flange. The trans bolt pattern on all the 833s and the GV2500 & GV3500 will bolt onto the same bell.

Just a note for the OP. The truck/van 833OD uses the B/E dual pad tail housing. The A/F body 833OD uses the A body tail housing. So the OD really fits just like any other 833 except the 833OD has the lager 5.25" retainer.

Interesting that you mention 'van' in your post. A few years ago I found a full sized Dodge van with an 833OD behind a 318 in a salvage yard. Only one I have ever seen and didn't even know they made such a thing. The shifter is very unique; starts rearward of the seat and comes forward.

I couldn't help myself and had them pull the entire assembly. Still have it in the barn. Lord knows why..............

As my Dad would say, I am from Missouri, show me.

No A833 was ever put in a Dakota. 1/2 tons, yes, those years, yes. Dakota, no. maybe Ma thought to use them in a Dakota, or maybe some pencil pusher just did a cut and paste. Hell, I have a 72 FSM that shows the 440 6bbl in it, all the instructions and such.

I have a couple of late 80's A833OD transmissions out of 1/2 ton trucks. They are nothing more than a gear set different than a regular A833.

Just as easy to say: You prove that no Dakota ever got an 833 OD. Don't forget the Shelby Dakotas got a lot of stuff the normal Dakota didn't get. What trans did they use with the 4 cylinder trucks?

Regardless if they came in one from the factory, it can probably be done. The “truck” 833 version is just a set of gears and the 3/4 shifter lever upside down basically. It can be either alum case, which is not as strong, or iron. There are a few other differences as well. If you want overdrive, get a late pickup trans. If you want 1 to 1 final drive, get a 70 up for a 340 or 383. They both have the small front bearing. CallBrewers Performance. He can fix you up.

My 1988 v6 Dakota had the A535/NP250 5 speed manual, the 4 cylinders got the same transmission as far I know. Its also the only manual transmission listed for parts on Rockauto etc.

The 1989 Shelby Dakota only came in a 4 speed automatic A500. I've seen 1 guy who swapped an a833 into his Shelby. He might be worth sending a message to for info.

We all know you should never say never with Mopar. They did all kinds of weird things back in the day.

Now, about that bearing retainer....
There are three different size retainers.
There are only two bolt patterns and bearing sizes.

If you get the big OD retainer it can be turned down to the regular "large" car size. That's a quick 3 minute job on a lathe.

every OD 833 I have taken apart used a 308 bearing , I don't think you can turn down a 308 sized retainer to the smaller 307 bearing size without hitting at least the bolt heads ? Big block sized retainer o.d. is definitely possible though .

I thought 833 prduction ended in 87
I don't think you can turn down the large retainer to 4.35 with cutting into the bolt holes

Three retainers.
1) big overdrive retainer with 308 bearing.
2) large car retainer with 308 bearing.
3) small car retainer with small bearing.

#1 can be turned down to the same diameter as #2.

That lets you put an OD in a non-OD car. Conversely, it also means you can stuff a non-OD trans where an OD once went assuming you stuff the OD retainer on the large car transmission.

Clear as mud?

No, I got it but there is one other scenerio and a correction to #3 , it's mostly for clarification to those doing a search 10 years from now and bring this thread back to the top

3) all cars small retainer with small bearing ... pre 68
4) large car retainer with small bearing ... 68,69 23 spline BB applications

I had a 79 B200 van with 318/833OD. Drove it for around 8 years.

I would have liked to have driven one. Just because.