2003 DODGE RAM tow

(28) Remove reverse clutch gear (Fig. 63).
(29) Remove first gear from bearing and mainshaft
(Fig. 64).
(30) Remove first gear bearing from mainshaft
(Fig. 65).
CLEANING
Clean the gears, shafts, shift components and
transmission housings with a standard parts clean-
ing solvent. Do not use acid or corrosive base sol-
vents. Dry all parts except bearings with compressed
air.
Clean the shaft bearings with a mild solvent such
as Mopar degreasing solvent, Gunk or similar sol-
vents. Do not dry the bearings with compressed air.
Allow the bearings to either air dry or wipe them dry
with clean shop towels.
INSPECTION
NOTE: Minor corrosion, nicks, or pitting can be
smoothed with 400 grit emery and polished out with
crocus cloth.
Inspect the reverse idler gear, bearings, shaft and
thrust washers. Replace the bearings if the rollers
are worn, chipped, cracked, flat-spotted or brinnelled.
Replace the gear if the teeth are chipped, cracked or
worn thin.
Inspect the front bearing retainer and bearing cup.
Replace the bearing cup if scored, cracked, brinnelled
or rough. Check the release bearing slide surface of
the retainer carefully. Replace the retainer if worn or
damaged in any way.
Inspect mainshaft bearing surfaces, splines, snap
ring grooves and threads. Replace the shaft if any
surfaces exhibit considerable wear or damage.
Inspect the countershaft and bearings. Replace the
shaft if any surfaces exhibit considerable wear or
damage.
Inspect shift forks for wear and distortion. Check
fit of the sleeve in the fork to be sure the two parts
fit and work smoothly. Replace the fork if the roll pin
holes are worn oversize or damaged. Do not attempt
to salvage a worn fork. Replace shift fork roll pins if
necessary or if doubt exists about their condition.
The all bearings for wear, roughness, flat spots,
pitting or other damage. Replace the bearings if nec-
essary.
Inspect the blocker rings and fiction cones. replace
either part if worn or damaged in any way. Replace if
the friction material is burned, flaking off or worn.
Inspect synchro components wear or damage.
Replace parts if worn, cracked or distorted.
Inspect all of the thrust washers and locating pins.
Replace the pins if bent or worn. Replace the wash-
ers if worn or the locating pin notches are distorted.
Inspect the case and housing/adapter sealing and
mating surfaces are free of burrs and nicks. InspcetFig. 63 Reverse Clutch Gear
1 - REVERSE CLUTCH GEAR
Fig. 64 FIRST GEAR
1 - FIRST GEAR
Fig. 65 FIRST GEAR BEARING
1 - MAINSHAFT
2 - FIRST GEAR BEARING
21 - 60 MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV4500DR
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV4500 (Continued)

(6) Install countershaft rear bearing plate (Fig.
74).
NOTE: Verify plate is seated in reverse idler shaft
notch and end play shims are still in position
before installing bolts.
(7) Apply 1-2 drops Mopar Loc N' Seal or equiva-
lent to threads of rear bearing plate bolts. Then
install and tighten bearing plate bolts to 23 N´m (200
in. lbs.).
SHIFT LUG AND RAIL
(1) Lubricate shift lug and rail with CastroltSyn-
torq or equivalent.
(2) Insert shift lug rail part way into case.
(3) Install shift lug on rail.
(4) Position shift rail so roll pin notches are
toward outside of case (Fig. 78).
(5) Install roll pin that secures lug to rail (Fig. 78).
MAINSHAFT AND GEARTRAIN
CAUTION: The reverse, 1-2 and 3-4 synchro compo-
nents can be assembled and installed incorrectly.
Follow assembly procedures for component identi-
fication and location.
Lubricate mainshaft bearing surfaces and all bear-
ing assemblies with CastroltSyntorq or with petro-
leum jelly.
(1) Install first snap ring in rear most groove of
mainshaft hub (Fig. 79). This snap ring locates first
gear clutch gear on shaft.NOTE: Four of these snap rings are used to secure
various components on the mainshaft 1-2 synchro
hub. The snap rings are all the same size and are
interchangeable.
(2) Install first gear clutch cone on mainshaft 1-2
synchro hub with recessed side of cone facing front
(Fig. 80). Verify cone is seated against snap ring on
hub.
Fig. 78 SHIFT LUG AND RAIL
1 - NOTCHES (FOR 5TH GEAR SHIFT FORK ROLL PINS)
2 - LUG RAIL
3 - ROLL PIN HOLE
4 - SHIFT LUG
Fig. 79 FIRST GEAR BEARING AND SNAP RING
1 - SNAP RING
2 - FIRST GEAR BEARING
3 - MAINSHAFT SYNCHRO HUB
Fig. 80 FIRST GEAR CLUTCH CONE
1 - MAINSHAFT 1-2 SYNCHRO HUB
2 - FIRST GEAR CLUTCH CONE
21 - 64 MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV4500DR
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV4500 (Continued)

(10) Tighten fifth gear nut with Nut Wrench 6743
and high capacity torque wrench. Tighten nut to 366-
380 N´m (270-280 ft. lbs.). Have helper hold trans-
mission steady if necessary.
(11) Torque the fifth gear clamp nut clamping bolt
to 13.5 N´m (10 ft. lbs.).
(12) Unlock the mainshaft gears by shifting all
synchro sleeves out of the engaged position.
EXTENSION/ADAPTER HOUSING
(1) Clean mating surfaces of extension/adapter
housing and gear case with a wax and grease
remover.
(2) Check alignment dowels in gear case and hous-
ing or adapter. Be sure dowels are in position and
seated.
(3) Apply Mopar Silicone Sealer or equivalent to
gear case and housing mating surfaces.
(4) Align and install extension/adapter housing on
gear case (Fig. 129).
(5) Apply Mopar Lock N' Seal or equivalent to
threads of extension/adapter housing bolts.
(6) Install and tighten housing bolts to 54 N´m (40
ft. lbs.).
SHIFT MECHANISM
(1) Clean mating surfaces of shift cover and gear
case with wax and grease remover.
(2) Apply a small amount of Mopar silicone sealer
or equivalent to sealing surface of shift cover.
CAUTION: Do not over-apply an excesive amount
sealer. Excess can squeezed into gear case and
could block lubricant feed holes in time.(3) Lubricate synchro sleeves with CastroltSyn-
torq gear lubricant or equivalent. Then apply light
coat of petroleum jelly to shift fork contact surfaces.
(4) Verify shift fork pads (Fig. 130) are secure.
(5) Verify 1-2 and 3-4 synchro sleeves and forks in
shift cover are in neutral position.
(6) Align and seat shift cover on transmission.
NOTE: If cover will not seat, it may not be aligned
on gear case dowels or shift forks are not aligned
with sleeves and shift lug.
(7) Apply Mopar Lock N' Seal or equivalent to
threads of shift cover bolts.
(8) Install shift cover bolts and tighten to 27-31
N´m (216-276 in. lbs.).
(9) Apply sealer to backup lamp switch. Install
switch into cover and tighten to 22-34 N´m (193-265
in. lbs.).
(10) Install vent assembly if removed. Apply an
adhesive/sealer to vent tube to help secure it in cover.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: If a new transmission is being installed, use
all components supplied with the new transmission.
For example, if a new shift tower is supplied with
the new transmission, do not re-use the original
shift tower.
(1) Apply light coat of Mopar high temperature
bearing grease or equivalent to contact surfaces of
the following components:
²input shaft splines.
²release bearing slide surface of front retainer.
²release bearing bore.
²release fork.
Fig. 129 INSTALLING EXTENSION/ADAPTER
HOUSING
1 - GEAR CASE
2 - EXTENSION HOUSING
Fig. 130 SHIFT FORK PAD
1 - SHIFT FORK PADS
2 - FIFTH-REVERSE FORK
DRMANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV4500 21 - 77
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV4500 (Continued)

²release fork ball stud.
²propeller shaft slip yoke.
(2) Apply sealer to threads of bottom PTO cover
bolt and install bolt in case.
(3) Mount transmission on jack and position trans-
mission under vehicle.
(4) Raise transmission until input shaft is centered
in release bearing and clutch disc hub.
(5) Move transmission forward and start input
shaft in release bearing, clutch disc and pilot bush-
ing.
(6) Work transmission forward until seated against
clutch housing. Do not allow transmission to remain
unsupported after input shaft has entered clutch
disc.
(7) Install transmission bolts and tighten to 108
N´m (80 ft. lbs.).
(8) Install transmission mount on transmission or
rear crossmember.
(9) Install rear crossmember.
(10) Remove transmission jack and engine support
fixture.
(11) Position transmission harness wires in clips
on shift cover.
(12) Install clutch slave cylinder and install slave
cylinder shield, if equipped.
(13) Connect speed sensor and backup light switch
wires.
TWO WHEEL DRIVE
(1) Fill transmission with recommended lubricant.
Correct fill level is bottom edge of fill plug hole.
(2) Align and install propeller shaft.
(3) Lower vehicle.
(4) Clean the mating surfaces of shift tower, isola-
tor plate and shift cover with suitable wax and
grease remover.
(5) Apply Mopar Gasket Maker or equivalent to
the sealing surface of the shift cover. Do not over
apply sealant.
(6) Install the isolator plate onto the shift cover,
metal side down.
(7) Install the shift tower onto the isolator plate.
No sealant is necessary between the shift tower and
the isolator plate.
(8) Verify that the shift tower, isolator plate and
the shift tower bushings are properly aligned.
(9) Install the bolts to hold the shift tower to the
isolator plate and the shift cover. Tighten the shift
tower bolts to 10.2-11.25 N´m (7.5-8.3 ft. lbs.).
(10) Install the shift lever extension onto the shift
tower and lever assembly.
(11) Install shift boot and bezel.
(12) Connect battery negative cable.
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE
(1) Install transfer case shift mechanism on trans-
mission.
(2) Install transfer case on transmission jack.
Secure transfer case to jack with safety chains.
(3) Raise jack and align transfer case input gear
with transmission mainshaft.
(4) Move transfer case forward and seat it on
adapter.
(5) Install transfer case nuts and tighten to:
²If 3/8 studs 41-47 N´m (30-35 ft. lbs.).
²If 5/16 studs 30-41 N´m (22-30 ft. lbs.).
(6) Install transfer case shift mechanism to side of
transfer case.
(7) Connect transfer case shift lever to range lever
on transfer case.
(8) Align and connect propeller shafts.
(9) Fill transmission with required lubricant.
Check lubricant level in transfer case and add lubri-
cant if necessary.
(10) Install transfer case skid plate, if equipped
and crossmember. Tighten attaching bolts/nuts to 41
N´m (30 ft. lbs.).
(11) Install exhaust system components.
(12) Lower vehicle.
(13) Clean the mating surfaces of shift tower, iso-
lator plate and shift cover with suitable wax and
grease remover.
(14) Apply Mopar Gasket Maker or equivalent to
the sealing surface of the shift cover. Do not over
apply sealant.
(15) Install the isolator plate onto the shift cover,
metal side down.
(16) Install the shift tower onto the isolator plate.
No sealant is necessary between the shift tower and
the isolator plate.
(17) Verify that the shift tower, isolator plate and
the shift tower bushings are properly aligned.
(18) Install the bolts to hold the shift tower to the
isolator plate and the shift cover. Tighten the shift
tower bolts to 10.2-11.25 N´m (7.5-8.3 ft. lbs.).
(19) Install the shift lever extension onto the shift
tower and lever assembly.
(20) Install shift lever boot and bezel.
(21) Connect battery negative cable.
21 - 78 MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV4500DR
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV4500 (Continued)

FIFTH-REVERSE SHIFT FORK PADS
Three shift pads on the forks are held in place by
tension and a small locating tang (Fig. 138).
To remove the pads, grasp a pad with hand and tilt
it out and off the fork. If pad is difficult to remove by
hand, insert a screwdriver blade between the pad
and fork and pry the pad off.
EXPANSION PLUG
The expansion plugs at the rear of the shift rail
bores (Fig. 139) can be replaced if loose/leaking.
(1) Drill 6 mm (1/4 in.) diameter hole in center of
the plug to be removed.
(2) Pry plug out of cover with tapered punch.
(3) Clean all chips from shift cover and plug bores.
Then clean plug bores with solvent and dry with
clean shop towel.
INSTALLATION
EXPANSION PLUG
(1) Apply small bead of Mopar silicone sealer or
equivalent to outer edge of each new plug.
(2) Position each plug in bore and tap into place
with hammer and punch or socket.
FIFTH-REVERSE SHIFT FORK PADS
(1) Align pad locating tab.
(2) Snap pads into place and verify locating tabs
are locked-in.
SHIFT COVER
(1) Clean mating surfaces of shift mechanism
cover and gear case with wax and grease remover.
(2) Apply a small amount of Mopar silicone sealer
or equivalent to sealing surface of shift mechanism
cover.
CAUTION: Do not use an excessive amount sealer.
Excess can squeezed into gear case and could
block lubricant feed holes in time.
(3) Lubricate synchro sleeves with CastroltSyn-
torq gear lubricant or equivalent. Then apply light
coat of petroleum jelly to shift fork contact surfaces.
(4) Verify shift fork pads (Fig. 140) are secure.
(5) Verify 1-2 and 3-4 synchro sleeves and forks in
shift cover are in neutral position.
(6) Align and seat shift mechanism cover on trans-
mission.
NOTE: If cover will not seat, it may not be aligned
on gear case dowels or shift forks are not aligned
with sleeves and shift lug.
Fig. 138 SHIFT FORK PAD LOCATIONS
1 - SHIFT FORK PADS
2 - FIFTH-REVERSE FORK
Fig. 139 EXPANSION PLUG LOCATION
1 - EXPANSION PLUGSFig. 140 SHIFT FORK PAD
1 - SHIFT FORK PADS
2 - FIFTH-REVERSE FORK
DRMANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV4500 21 - 85
SHIFT MECHANISM (Continued)

(7) Apply Mopar Lock N' Seal or equivalent to
threads of shift cover bolts.
(8) Install shift cover mechanism bolts and tighten
to 27-31 N´m (216-276 in. lbs.).
(9) Apply sealer to backup lamp switch. Install
switch into cover and tighten to 22-34 N´m (193-265
in. lbs.).
(10) Install vent assembly if removed. Apply an
adhesive/sealer to vent tube to help secure it in cover.
(11) Install transmission.
SHIFT COVER
REMOVAL
(1) Shift transmission into Neutral.
(2) Unscrew and remove the shift lever extension
from the shift
(3) Remove screws attaching shift boot to floorpan.
Then slide boot upward on the shift lever.
(4) Remove the bolts holding the shift tower to the
isolator plate and transmission shift cover.
(5) Remove the shift tower and isolator plate from
the transmission shift cover.
INSTALLATION
(1) Clean the mating surfaces of shift tower, isola-
tor plate and shift cover with suitable wax and
grease remover.
(2) Apply Mopar Gasket Maker or equivalent to
the sealing surface of the shift cover. Do not over
apply sealant.
(3) Install the isolator plate onto the shift cover,
metal side down.
(4) Install the shift tower onto the isolator plate.
No sealant is necessary between the shift tower and
the isolator plate.
(5) Verify shift tower, isolator plate and shift tower
bushings are properly aligned.
(6) Install bolts to hold the shift tower to the iso-
lator plate and the shift cover. Tighten the shift
tower bolts to 10.2-11.25 N´m (7.5-8.3 ft. lbs.).
(7) Install shift lever extension, shift boot and
bezel.
21 - 86 MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV4500DR
SHIFT MECHANISM (Continued)

(2) Remove screws attaching shift boot to floorpan.
Then slide boot upward on the shift lever.
(3) Remove the bolts holding the shift tower to the
isolator plate and transmission gear case.
(4) Remove the shift tower and isolator plate from
the transmission gear case.
(5) Raise and support vehicle.
(6) Remove skid plate, if equipped.
(7) Mark propeller shaft/shafts and axle yokes for
installation reference.
(8) Remove propeller shaft.
(9) Disconnect and remove exhaust system as nec-
essary.
(10) Disconnect wires at backup light switch.
(11) Support engine with adjustable safety stand
and wood block.
(12) If transmission is to be disassembled for
repair, remove drain bolt at bottom of PTO cover and
drain lubricant from transmission (Fig. 3).
(13) Remove clutch slave cylinder splash shield, if
equipped.
(14) Remove clutch slave cylinder bolts and move
cylinder aside for clearance.
(15)
Remove wire harness from clips on transmission.
TWO WHEEL DRIVE
(1) Remove bolts/nuts mounting transmission to
the rear mount.
(2) Support and secure transmission with safety
chains to a transmission jack.
(3) Remove rear crossmember bolts and pry out
crossmember.
(4) Remove transmission clutch housing bolts at
the engine block.
(5) Slide transmission and jack rearward until
input shaft clears clutch disc and pressure plate.
(6) Lower transmission jack and remove transmis-
sion from under vehicle.
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE
(1) Disconnect transfer case shift linkage at trans-
fer case range lever.
(2) Support and secure transfer case with safety
chains to a transmission jack.
(3) Remove transfer case mounting nuts.
(4) Move transfer case rearward until input gear
clears transmission mainshaft.
(5) Lower transfer case assembly and move it from
under vehicle.
(6) Support and secure transmission with safety
chains to a transmission jack.
(7) Remove bolts/nuts attaching transmission
mount to rear crossmember.
(8) Remove rear crossmember bolts and pry out
crossmember.
(9) Remove transmission clutch housing bolts at
the engine block.
(10) Move transmission rearward until input shaft
clears clutch disc.
(11) Lower transmission and remove it from under
vehicle.
DISASSEMBLY
NOTE: Use Fixture 8241 for moving and handling
the transmission. The fixture supports the transmis-
sion at the center of gravity in order to ease mount-
ing the transmission into the build fixture.
(1)
Mount the transmission into Fixture 8230 (Fig. 4).
Fig. 3 NV5600 DRAIN BOLT
1 - PTO COVER
2 - DRAIN BOLT
Fig. 4 TRANSMISSION FIXTURE
1 - FIXTURE
2 - TRANSMISSION
21 - 90 MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV5600DR
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV5600 (Continued)

(2) Rotate the transmission to the horizontal posi-
tion, if necessary.
(3) Remove the shift tower (Fig. 5) and isolator
plate (Fig. 6).(4) Remove primary shift rail detent plug (Fig. 7).
(5) Remove primary shift rail detent spring (Fig.
8).
Fig. 5 REMOVE SHIFT TOWER
1 - SHIFT TOWER
2 - TRANSMISSION
Fig. 6 SHIFT TOWER ISOLATOR PLATE
1 - ISOLATOR PLATE
2 - TRANSMISSION
Fig. 7 PRIMARY SHIFT RAIL DETENT PLUG
1 - DETENT PLUG
Fig. 8 PRIMARY SHIFT RAIL DETENT SPRING
1 - DETENT SPRING
DRMANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV5600 21 - 91
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV5600 (Continued)