i've got a 01' 4.7 4X4 automatic trans dakota havent had any real problems with it yet i've noticed somethings about it that make me think though sometimes when sifting in to 2nd from 1st when giving it no or very little throttle it will thump into the gear doesnt shake the truck or anything like that but it isnt a smooth shift was wondering if anybody else has this problem? also i noticed that the transmission sounds a lot like my moms 91 dodge caravan ftwdrive you know that ticking noise when shifting into drive do they use the same transmission in the trucks too? also when turning the wheels all the way in either direction will slow the rpms and sounds as though it will kill the engine anybody else experince these things?? the only mods i've made are taking off the muffler and running dual lines from the converter

I don't want to mention other truck names in here because this is for Dakotas, but my Dad's 2000 F-150 "thumps" into 2nd gear, too, just like you said your truck does; My Dakota does not "thump" into gear at any point in time - the shifting is very smooth. I have a 2000 Quad Cab with the 5.9L engine and when I turn the wheels in either direction all the way it also slows the rpm's as well. The rpm's do not go that low where the truck will stall. It idles at 600rpm, maybe it drops to 500, but no where near killing the engine. I spoke to Dodge and they said it was normal. My 93 S-10 does this also, as well as my Dad's F-150. My Quad Cab has been doing it since brand new so I'm not concerned about it. It only has 34000 miles on it, still covered for another 41000, so if anything becomes of it I'll bring it in.