NV4500 Short Throw Shifter Tower and Bushing Kit

The NV4500 in the 1998-up Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 with the 5.9L Cummins uses a two-piece shift tower with a rubber isolator plate between the tower and the transmission. That isolator is there to keep gear whine and driveline buzz out of the stick, and it is the part that fails. Once the rubber takes a set and the tower bushings wear oval, the stick develops a long, vague throw, rattles at idle, and can start hanging up between 3rd and 4th because the shift finger is no longer centered over the rails.

This kit replaces the whole stack: the shift tower, the isolator plate, a blue anodized aluminum spacer plate, four tower bushings and four retaining bolts. The aluminum spacer takes the place of the collapsed rubber height and pulls the stick down and back toward the driver, which is where the short-throw feel comes from - you are shortening the lever above the pivot, not changing anything inside the transmission. Cross-references NV4500-ST, TS18873, 5003212AA, 5003214AA and 1031056.

Bench work is straightforward and stays outside the case. Pull the boot and console trim, unbolt the four tower bolts, lift the tower straight up off the shift rails, and clean the mating surface on the top cover. Stack the new isolator and spacer plate, set the tower down with the shift finger indexed into the 3-4 rail slot, then torque the four bolts evenly so the tower does not cock and bind. Shift through all five gears and reverse by hand before the trans goes back under load.

If your Ram shifts fine under power but the stick buzzes at idle or flops when you let go of it, the isolator is done - that is the failure this kit is for. It does not fix internal problems: grinding into 2nd, popping out of 5th under decel, or a stiff gate all point at synchros, the 5th gear nut, or shift rail detent springs inside the case.