Ok yall. Got a new to me Ram 1500. Interestingly enough, it was purchased new by me too. Sold it to my little bro, and it has come back to me a few years later.

Anyway, its a 2003 1500 4x4 4.7 V8. It has the NV3500 5spd manual tranny. Truck has 63k on it and is in great shape, but the tranny, while drivable is a little clunky and will probably die shortly. Ive already looked into it and a rebuild is possible, but almost as expensive as a new tranny, and the NV3500 doesnt have the best rep to begin with.

So, here is my question. The 02 and 03 1500's had the 360 (5.9) option and behind it was the NV4500. As we all know, that would be a much much better choice for a tranny. Im wondering if the NV4500 would be a bolt in replacement for the 3500. I have seen some info out there that says it is on the 2nd gen trucks (318 had the NV3500, 360 the NV4500), but nothing for the 3rd gens. I do think the NV4500 has a bit lower gear ration too, which, me wanting to put 33" tires would be a small benefit too.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

A buddy of mine did this swap and IIRC it was a fairly easy swap. I am not sure what all he had to do and unfortunately I have lost contact with him so I can't really get any info.

Looks like my post is pretty useless huh?

 

Nah, at least you are looking!

Im shooting that its just a bolt in deal. My luck it wont be, but here to hoping.

 

I vaguely remember him talking about the length being the big issue cuz he had to modify the driveshaft. I think it was pretty straight forward.

 

Thats not too big of a deal. I can shorten the rear. Its lengthening the front that would be a pain.

Im gonna give the guys at NV4500.com a call tomorrow, the may have some info. They stick them suckers in pretty much anything under the sun.