Unfortunately my 03 Ram's transfers case went out, and have decided to try my luck finding a good used tcase before committing to a $1200+ rebuilt. Called my local Dodge dealer and they gave me the following OEM # for my 03 Ram 2500 5.9L...

52105646 - AB/AC/AD/AE
RL105646 - AF

Since this is my first tcase swap, does anyone happen to know if the replacement tcase has to have the "exact" OEM # (52105646) the dealer gave me? There's two reasons I ask... 1) A craigslist tcase seller says he has swapped NV271 tcases in and out of other 3rd gen model years even though the OEM part #s between the tcases were not an exact match, and 2) A major online tcase rebuilder shows the NV271 fits 2003-2006 Dodge Ram 2500's & 3500's. If all this is true and the OEM #s do not need to be an exact match... is there some way to get a complete list of all the 03-06 2500/3600 NV271 OEM #s that fit my truck or am I stuck calling the dealership every time I need to verify each and every NV271 I run across?

Incidentally my 03 requires the following tcase specs...

23 spline front input
34 spline rear slip output w/o speedo hole
(Manual shift .840 exposed input)

Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated!

 

if the case is not damaged beyond repair the total parts cost for rebuild is only $575 and takes about five hours the first time, no special tools

 

I have kicked around.the idea of rebuilding the case myself but can't seem to find any YouTube rebuild videos for the NV271D... which would help a lot considering this would be my first rebuild. Plus, I'm a bit concerned about removing/pressing in the new bearings without a blind bearing remover or a proper bearing press. Would definitely like to save the extra cash for something else, but did find a online tcase rebuilder offering the NV271D for $1049 w/free shipping, a 1yr unlimited mileage warranty and free return shipping of the core... decisions... decisions...