Ross 3951

Hi,

I have a 2001 Ram Diesel 4x4 and it is time for a new clutch. I'm replacing the clutch set with OEM parts. After ten years and over 135k I have no complaints.

I don't have a garage but I have tools and am mechanically inclined. I'm willing to crack it open and do this job myself. I've kept this vehicle on the road this far and will keep it going as long as I can or until diesel cost more than my mortgage.

Any tips or advice would be appreciated.

Rich

swordfish

I just recently did the same thing. Definitely use a tranny jack. That way you don't have to worry about it wobbling and you can adjust as you need to. Second, before you remove the tranny put a second jack with a block of wood just up against the front of the oil pan. This will keep the motor at the proper angle for reassembly. When you take the weight of the tranny off the motor the rear of the motor will rise due to the lack of weight. This was my biggest fight until my brother helped me out and that is what we did. I later read the same instruction on a post on here. Make sure you mark your drive shafts so they can be put back into place where they came from.
Do some searching on here. Some good information. Good luck, take your time and you can get it done.

swordfish

Ross 3951

Thanks swordfish,

I'm not sure I can get a tranny jack under the truck but I may be able to rig something up to lower the tranny back and down to get the new clutch set in. Something safe and cheap.

I didn't not think it would be too hard or take too much time. One good weather weekend should do I hope.

I'll run a search for that other post.

Thanks for the quick reply!

Rich

drafalske

Is this a 5 speed or 6 speed?
I really wouldn't go "rigging something up" if it's a sixer. The NV5600 weighs about 350# iirc.
You should be able to fit a tranny jack under there just fine though. If not, just put the whole thing up on jackstands.

D

Ross 3951

Hi drafaiske,

It's a 5 speed.

I'm trying to determine for sure if it has a NV3500 or NV4500 tranny. Lost the owners manual a while back. I can tell you for sure that it's a 2001 Ram 2500 Diesel 4x4. Other than that I've been online trying to collect data that will help me get this project done with out too much fuss.

I did find a good tranny jack!

Any help is very appreciated.

Rich

swordfish

If its a 5spd then it is a NV4500 if it is a six speed then you have a NV5600. I have the same truck as you and the tranny jack worked fine for me. I would recommend this route.

swordfish

drafalske

Should be an NV4500.
It can be easier to manage the transmission if you remove the transfer case first.
Inspect the transmission mount while you're in there.
Other than that, it's a pretty straightforward clutch job. You'll want to have the flywheel resurfaced for best results and longevity of the new clutch.
D

Ross 3951

Thanks for all the good advice.

I just need to download a service manual and I should be in good shape providing the weather is good this weekend.

Rich

swordfish

you can get that at pdftown.com for free

Ross 3951

Thanks swordfish! It is appreciated.

Rich

totalloser

IMO don't waste your time on the trans jacks that go onto a regular service jack. They are pretty awful. Decent dedicated trans jacks can be had from Harbor Freight. Yes they make junk, but their jacks are usually pretty decent.

Your transmission is a 4500. The 3500 never went behind a Cummins.

gorms

For a jack, I use an ATV jack, because I already had it. Worked great, a small block of wood to shim the trans flush to the jack, a ratchet strap around it all holding it.

A hydraulic ram or bottle jack and a block of wood work great for spreading the frame apart, as the cross member is "wedged" in between the frame rails.

I've also found it almost impossible to unbolt the front driveshaft completely (while lying on your back, anyway), so I just undo the axle side and work the transfer case out with it still bolted up. 9/16" ratchet wrench for the t-case, the top nut can be a bugger. Have fun!

Ross 3951

Hi gorms,

I was actually looking at detected tranny jacks over at Harbor Freight. For a tool that I'll probably not need for another 10 years, the price is reasonable and some of them look safe enough to trust a limb to. Regardless of the quality, I'll be blocking and bracing the transmission during the entire process.

I"m thinking about keeping the transfer case on during this job. Dropping the shafts at the easiest point I can and disassembling as little as possible. Unless there is something I'm not taking into account.

It doesn't look like the weather is going to cooperate this weekend. Forecast is calling for rain. If I get hot to do this project, I'll throw a tarp over the truck providing it is not blowing a gale. The clutch is not slipping too bad so it will not be a problem waiting till next weekend. If I need to I'll use my wifes 06' We are a Dodge truck faimaly.

Thanks for the advice!

Rich