2003 DODGE RAM wheel

TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500..........1
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV4500..........42
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV5600..........87
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46RE........129
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 48RE........310
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 45RFE/545RFE. . 488
TRANSFER CASE - NV241 GENII...........591
TRANSFER CASE - NV271................623
TRANSFER CASE - NV243................658
TRANSFER CASE - NV273................687
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500
DESCRIPTION..........................1
OPERATION............................1
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING................3
REMOVAL.............................3
DISASSEMBLY..........................4CLEANING............................15
INSPECTION..........................15
ASSEMBLY............................17
INSTALLATION.........................38
SPECIFICATIONS.......................39
SPECIAL TOOLS.......................40
MANUAL TRANSMISSION -
NV3500
DESCRIPTION
The transmission is a medium-duty 5-speed, con-
stant mesh fully synchronized manual transmission
with fifth gear overdrive range. The transmission is
available in two and four-wheel drive configurations.
The transmission gear case consists of two aluminum
housings (Fig. 1). The clutch housing is an integral
part of the transmission front housing.
A combination of roller and ball bearings are used
to support the transmission shafts in the two hous-
ings. The transmission gears all rotate on caged type
needle bearings. A roller bearing is used between the
input and output shaft.
The transmission has a single shaft shift mecha-
nism with three shift forks all mounted on the shaft.
The shaft is supported in the front and rear housings
by bushings and one linear ball bearing. Internal
shift components consist of the forks, shaft, shift
lever socket and detent components
OPERATION
The manual transmission receives power through the
clutch assembly from the engine. The clutch disc issplined to the transmission input shaft and is turned at
engine speed at all times that the clutch is engaged.
The input shaft is connected to the transmission coun-
tershaft through the mesh of fourth speed gear on the
input shaft and the fourth countershaft gear. At this
point, all the transmission gears are spinning.
The driver selects a particular gear by moving the
shift lever to the desired gear position. This move-
ment moves the internal transmission shift compo-
nents to begin the shift sequence. As the shift lever
moves the selected shift rail, the shift fork attached
to that rail begins to move. The fork is positioned in
a groove in the outer circumference of the synchro-
nizer sleeve. As the shift fork moves the synchronizer
sleeve, the synchronizer begins to speed-up or slow
down the selected gear (depending on whether we are
up-shifting or down-shifting). The synchronizer does
this by having the synchronizer hub splined to the
mainshaft and moving the blocker ring into contact
with the gear's friction cone. As the blocker ring and
friction cone come together, the gear speed is brought
up or down to the speed of the synchronizer. As the
two speeds match, the splines on the inside of the
synchronizer sleeve become aligned with the teeth on
the blocker ring and the friction cone and eventually
will slide over the teeth, locking the gear to the
mainshaft, or countershaft, through the synchronizer.
DRTRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE 21 - 1

(12) Remove reverse idler shaft support segment
by sliding it straight out of housing.
(13) Support geartrain and rear housing on Fix-
ture 6747 as follows:
(a) Adjust height of reverse idler pedestal rod
until the reverse idle shaft bottoms in Cup 8115.
(b) Position Adapters 6747-1A and 6747-2A on
Fixture 6747.
(c) Slide fixture tool onto input shaft, counter-
shaft and idler gear (Fig. 23).
(d) Stand geartrain and rear housing upright on
fixture (Fig. 24). Have helper hold fixture tool in
place while housing and geartrain is being rotated
into upright position.
(14) Remove rear bolt holding reverse idler shaft
in housing.
REAR HOUSING - 2WD
(1) On 2-wheel drive transmission, remove three
bolts that attach output shaft bearing retainer to
rear case (Fig. 25). Bolts are rear of shift tower open-
ing.
Fig. 23 FIXTURE ASSEMBLY
1 - FIXTURE 6747
2 - ADAPTER 6747-1A
3 - CUP ADAPTER 8115
4 - REVERSE IDLER PEDESTAL
5 - ADAPTER 6747-2A
Fig. 24 GEARTRAIN & HOUSING ON FIXTURE
1 - INPUT SHAFT
2 - COUNTERSHAFT
3 - FIXTURE 6747
Fig. 25 OUTPUT SHAFT
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT BEARING RETAINER BOLTS (THIRD BOLT
IS AT OPPOSITE SIDE OF CASE)
DRMANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 21 - 9
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 (Continued)

(11)Remove output shaft bearing snap ring (Fig. 41).
(12) On 2-wheel drive models, remove output shaft
bearing.
(13) Remove fifth gear (Fig. 42).
(14)
Remove fifth gear needle bearing. Spread bearing
just enough to clear shoulder on output shaft (Fig. 43).
(15) Remove fifth-reverse synchro hub snap ring
(Fig. 44).
(16) Remove fifth-reverse synchro hub and sleeve
with shop press (Fig. 45).
Fig. 41 OUTPUT SHAFT BEARING SNAP RING
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT BEARING
2 - BEARING SNAP RING
3 - SNAP RING PLIERS
Fig. 42 FIFTH GEAR
1 - FIFTH GEAR AND SYNCHRO RING
Fig. 43 FIFTH GEAR NEEDLE BEARING
1 - FIFTH GEAR NEEDLE BEARING
Fig. 44 FIFTH-REVERSE SYNCHRO HUB SNAP
RING
1 - FIFTH-REVERSE SYNCHRO HUB AND SLEEVE
2 - SYNCHRO HUB SNAP RING
3 - SNAP RING PLIERS
Fig. 45 FIFTH-REVERSE SYNCHRO
1 - PRESS
2 - FIFTH-REVERSE SYNCHRO HUB AND SLEEVE
3 - REVERSE GEAR
4 - OUTPUT SHAFT
21 - 14 MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500DR
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 (Continued)

(11) On 2-wheel drive transmission, thread one
Alignment Pin 8120 in center or passenger side hole
of output shaft bearing retainer. Then position
retainer on fifth gear as shown (Fig. 88).
(12) Assemble 1-2 and fifth reverse-shift forks (Fig.
89). Arm of fifth-reverse fork goes through slot in 1-2
fork.
(13) Install assembled shift forks in synchro
sleeves and verify forks are seated in sleeves (Fig.
90).
REAR HOUSING - 2WD
NOTE: Transmission shift components must be in
Neutral position to prevent damaging the synchro
and shift components when installing the housings.
(1) Drive adapter housing alignment dowels back
into housing until dowels are flush with mounting
surface (Fig. 91).
Fig. 88 ALIGN OUTPUT SHAFT BEARING RETAINER
1 - ALIGNMENT PIN
2 - OUTPUT SHAFT BEARING RETAINER
Fig. 89 1-2 & FIFTH-REVERSE SHIFT FORKS
1 - 1-2 FORK
2 - 1-2 FORK ARM
3 - FIFTH-REVERSE FORK
Fig. 90 SHIFT FORKS IN SYNCHRO
1 - SYNCHRO SLEEVES
2 - FORK ARMS
3 - SHIFT FORKS
Fig. 91 REAR HOUSING DOWELS
1 - HOUSING ALIGNMENT DOWELS
2 - REAR HOUSING
3 - DOWEL FLUSH WITH SURFACE
DRMANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 21 - 29
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 (Continued)

(5) Remove shift tower and isolator plate from
transmission shift cover.
(6) Raise and support vehicle.
(7) Remove skid plate, if equipped.
(8) Mark propeller shaft and axle yokes for instal-
lation reference and remove shaft/shafts.
(9) Remove exhaust system Y-pipe.
(10) Disconnect speed sensor and backup light
switch connectors.
(11) Support engine with safety stand and a wood
block.
(12) If transmission is to be disassembled, remove
drain bolt at bottom of PTO cover and drain lubri-
cant (Fig. 3).
TWO WHEEL DRIVE
(1) Remove bolts attaching transmission to rear
crossmember mount.
(2) Support and secure transmission with safety
chains to a transmission jack.
(3) Remove rear crossmember bolts and pry out
crossmenber.
(4) Remove clutch slave cylinder bolts and move
cylinder aside for clearance.
NOTE: The hydraulic linkage has a quick connect at
the slave cylinder. This fitting should not be discon-
nected.
(5) Remove transmission harness wires from clips
on transmission shift cover.
(6) Remove transmission to clutch housing bolts.
(7) Slide transmission and jack rearward until
input shaft clears clutch housing.
(8) 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. Then remove transfer case shift
mechanism from transmission (Fig. 4).(2) Support and secure transfer case to transmis-
sion jack with safety chains.
(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 transmission harness from retaining
clips on transmission shift cover.
(8) Remove bolts/nuts attaching transmission
mount to rear crossmember.
(9) Remove rear crossmember bolts and pry out
crossmenber.
(10) Remove clutch slave cylinder splash shield, if
equipped.
(11) Remove clutch slave cylinder bolts and move
cylinder aside for clearance.
NOTE: The hydraulic linkage has a quick connect at
the slave cylinder. This fitting should not be discon-
nected.
(12) Remove transmission to clutch housing bolts.
(13) Slide transmission and jack rearward until
input shaft clears clutch housing.
(14) Lower transmission jack and remove trans-
mission from under vehicle.
DISASSEMBLY
SHIFT MECHANISM
(1) Remove bolts holding shift tower to shift mech-
anism cover and remove tower.
Fig. 3 FILL AND DRAIN PLUGS
1 - PTO COVER
2 - DRAIN BOLT
3 - FILL PLUG
Fig. 4 TRANSFER CASE SHIFTER-TYPICAL
1 - TRANSMISSION
2 - TRANSFER CASE SHIFT MECHANISM
21 - 44 MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV4500DR
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)

ADAPTER HOUSING SEAL
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support vehicle.
(2) Mark the propeller shafts and yokes for instal-
lation reference and remove the shafts.
(3) Support transmission with a transmission jack.
(4) Remove engine rear support.
(5) Remove transfer case.
(6) Remove adapter housing seal with a pry tool or
slide hammer mounted screw (Fig. 131).
INSTALLATION
(1) Install adapter housing seal with Installer
C-3860-A and Handle C-4171.
(2) Install transfer case.
(3) Install propeller shafts with reference marks
aligned.
(4) Fill transfer case and transmission to proper
level.
(5) Remove support and lower vehicle.
EXTENSION HOUSING SEAL
REMOVAL
(1) Mark the propeller shaft and yoke for installa-
tion reference.
(2) Remove the propeller shaft.(3) Remove extension housing seal (Fig. 132) using
Remover C-3985-B.
(4) On heavy duty 4X2 vehicles, remove extension
housing seal with a pry tool or a slide hammer
mounted screw.
(5) On light duty transmissions, remove the exten-
sion housing bushing with Remover 6957.
(6) On heavy duty transmissions, remove the
extension housing bushing with Remover 8155.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install housing bushing with Handle C-4171
(Fig. 133) and Installer.
²Light Duty - Installer 6951
²Heavy Duty - Installer 8161
Fig. 131 Adapter Housing (4±Wheel Drive Models)
1 - ADAPTER HOUSING
2 - SEAL
Fig. 132 EXTENSION HOUSING AND SEAL (4X2)
1 - EXTENSION HOUSING
2 - SEAL
Fig. 133 Extension Housing Bushing
1 - HANDLE
2 - INSTALLER
3 - EXTENSION HOUSING
DRMANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV4500 21 - 83

(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)