Transmission confusion

[SouthernGorilla]

According to the build sheet I got from this site my 2004 1500 came with an HD 5-speed manual, specifically the NV3500. But Wikipedia says the NV3500 was only in the 1500 up til 2001 and the Ram never got the HD version the Dakota got.

I know those VIN decoders can be inaccurate and Wikipedia is notoriously unreliable so I'm still unclear about what trans I actually have. Is it possible there's a difference between the 4x2 and 4x4 versions that accounts for the discrepancy between the two sites?

 

[HemiLonestar]

You're even considering Wikipedia over the factory build sheet? Bwahahahahahaha
Thus far the factory site for generating build sheets has not been inaccurate across the scores of VIN's I've entered...

 

[SouthernGorilla]

I question everything. Other VIN decoders I've used have been sketchy. I don't have enough experience with this one to trust it any more than Wikipedia. Which isn't a lot.

 

[HemiLonestar]

I question everything. Other VIN decoders I've used have been sketchy. I don't have enough experience with this one to trust it any more than Wikipedia. Which isn't a lot.

That particular one is the factory one, so I'd trust it over Wikipedia and any other one

 

[Fast69Mopar]

The 5-speed manual in your 2004 model is the NV3500. Your build sheet that you have based on your VIN number should reflect the sales code DDC for the NV3500.

 

[HemiLonestar]

The 5-speed manual in your 2004 model is the NV3500. Your build sheet that you have based on your VIN number should reflect the sales code DDC for the NV3500.

Online generated ones don't have sales codes, only way you get those is straight from dealer or emailing FCA

 

[Fast69Mopar]

Online generated ones don't have sales codes, only way you get those is straight from dealer or emailing FCA

It's been so long since I have used the FCAcommunity VIN decoder. I forgot that it doesn't show the sales codes with the equipment listed.

The easy way for me to tell which trans was installed was the all aluminum 2-piece case with an integral bellhousing unlike the Jeep unit that utilized a
bolt-on bellhousing. The NV4500 utilized a cast iron case.

 

[SouthernGorilla]

I thought the NV4500 was just for the diesels.

The VIN decoder did show DDC.

'04 was the last year for the NV3500 before they switched to the G238 6-speed. But Allstate gear only lists shifters up to '02. '03-'04 weren't so different they'd use a different shifter, were they? I'm going to try and call them today to see if they can clarify things.

FYI, searching for "NV3500 transmission" is a pita. It brings up tons of results for that Nissan commercial van.

 

[HemiLonestar]

Have you downloaded the factory parts book for your year and actually looked to see what was available...? You could also download a couple of the different years, compare part numbers and answer your own question lol.

 

[SouthernGorilla]

I didn't know that was possible.

 

[HemiLonestar]

I didn't know that was possible.

All one has to do is look: https://www.ramforum.com/threads/3rd-gen-parts-manuals-and-2003-2004-service-manuals.6504/

 

[SouthernGorilla]

All one has to do is look: https://www.ramforum.com/threads/3rd-gen-parts-manuals-and-2003-2004-service-manuals.6504/

Already have both manuals downloaded and backed up. Never seen them that easy to get with any other car I've owned.

 

[HemiLonestar]

Already have both manuals downloaded and backed up. Never seen them that easy to get with any other car I've owned.

Sometimes you luck out, you'd be surprised at what's out there floating around on the interwebs lol

 

[Fast69Mopar]

You could also take your VIN to your local dealer service dept. and ask for a vehicle options list and they will print it out for you

 

[SouthernGorilla]

Sometimes you luck out, you'd be surprised at what's out there floating around on the interwebs lol

Hadn't bothered looking because I just assumed it would be another expensive book like all the others I'd needed.

You could also take your VIN to your local dealer service dept. and ask for a vehicle options list and they will print it out for you

I might do that if I go to buy a part. Bare bones truck though, won't be many options to list. Maybe they could tell me which transfer case it has at least.

 

[Fast69Mopar]

Hadn't bothered looking because I just assumed it would be another expensive book like all the others I'd needed.

I might do that if I go to buy a part. Bare bones truck though, won't be many options to list. Maybe they could tell me which transfer case it has at least.

The vehicle options list will show you what the truck was originally equipped with when it was built. It will show you what engine, trans and rear diff. plus every single option and it's corresponding sales code.

 

[HemiLonestar]

They're not an absolute must for most things, but the sales codes do come in handy from time to time