I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500, 5.2L V8. When I'm

When you lose a gear that is a sign of you needing transmission repairs unless you want to use car with no second gear.

Take it back

Did you not test it out--- before paying
& driving off?

Maybe the trans has some internal wear,
from the previous owners habits

This is completely gear box fault. Instead of getting it working, try to replace it because this will happen again and again. If gear box fails , there are very rare chances that it can be repaired. In most cases, it has to be replaced.

Performance Chip

sorry but i dont have good news for you, this is a common problem with the dodge, what has happened is there is a drive drum inside the transmission that has a reverse drive gear inside it this has most likely broken, you will need to remove the transmission oil pan and look for junk inside the pan if you find more then a teespoon of metel in the pan or any brass you will need to replace the transmission......sorry

Manual Transmission,2WD......GL-5
SEVERE GEAR 75W-90 Synthetic EP Lubricant (SVGQT)
Manual Transmission,2WD......GL-4
Synthetic Manual Transmission and Transaxle Gear Lube (75W-90) API GL-4 (MTGQT)
Manual Transmission,4WD......GL-5
SEVERE GEAR 75W-90 Synthetic EP Lubricant (SVGQT)
Manual Transmission,4WD......GL-4
Synthetic Manual Transmission and Transaxle Gear Lube (75W-90) API GL-4 (MTGQT)

Standard Differential, Rear......GL-5
All TEMPS......80W-90, 90
SAE 80W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube (AGLQT)
SEVERE GEAR 75W-90 Synthetic EP Lubricant (SVGQT)
75W-90 Synthetic Long Life Gear Lube (FGRQT)
SEVERE GEAR 75W-110 Synthetic EP Lubricant (SVTQT)
Differential, Front......GL-5
All TEMPS......80W-90, 90
SAE 80W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube (AGLQT)
SEVERE GEAR 75W-90 Synthetic EP Lubricant (SVGQT)
75W-90 Synthetic Long Life Gear Lube (FGRQT)
SEVERE GEAR 75W-110 Synthetic EP Lubricant (SVTQT)
Transfer Case,......GL-5
SEVERE GEAR 75W-90 Synthetic EP Lubricant (SVGQT)
Transfer Case,......GL-4
Synthetic Manual Transmission and Transaxle Gear Lube (75W-90) API GL-4 (MTGQT)

On most of these type vehicles, with the heavy duty and lower geared transmissions this is normal, when accelerateing hard it will stay in lower gear longer...

The overdrive gear in the transmission is known to move on the output shaft making overdrive hard to shift into & eventually not at all

Hello Dave,
I own a 1988 Ram 50 5-Standard and will go off my own experiences to answer this question.
I use a synthetic 80W transmission fluid.
If you know what is/was already in there; my recommendation is not to change the grade of oil in the transmission unless it is necessary because of driving conditions or vechicle requirements (i.e. towing/hauling/efficiency).
Anyway the Ram 50 Manual 4 & 5 Speed transmissions take a range of fluid grades from 70W-90W. You can use this in both conventional and synthetic oils.

For the power steering, universal power steering fluid works the best, and I honestly don't know the exact amount to put in Ram 50, but may I suggest you purchase ~20oz. Fill it half with half the bottle, then check the dipstick, then put in half of that half-bottle (a quarter of the bottle in), check, and repeat until you get it to the appropriate level.

-Cbeach76