Replaces the worn shift tower, isolator plate and bushings on 1998-up Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 NV4500 5-speeds to kill sloppy throw and stick rattle.
A Dodge Ram 2500 or 3500 Cummins with the NV4500 five-speed that has a long, vague shift, a stick that buzzes and rattles at idle, or a lever that hangs up going from third to fourth almost always has a tired shift tower. This kit replaces the whole stack on top of the transmission on 1998-up trucks: the steel shift tower, the rubber isolator plate, a blue anodized aluminum spacer plate, four tower bushings and four retaining bolts. It cross-references to NV4500-ST, TS18873, 5003212AA, 5003214AA and 1031056, and it all goes on without opening the case.
On the 1998-up Dodge NV4500 the shifter stub pivots in a separate tower that bolts to a square, four-bolt shift top on the transmission cover. Between the tower and the cover sits a rubber isolator. Its job is to keep gear whine and Cummins driveline vibration out of the stick, so it is soft by design. The bottom of the stub is a finger that has to sit centered over the three shift rails. Over time the rubber compresses and takes a set and the tower bushings wear oval, so the tower can rock on its mount and the finger is no longer held where it should be. That is where the slop, the rattle and the 3-4 hang-up come from. The aluminum spacer in this kit takes up the height the collapsed rubber lost and lowers the pivot point, which shortens the throw at the knob without changing anything inside the transmission.
Remove the boot and the console trim so you can see the tower. With the engine off, move the stick through the gate and watch the tower body. If the tower rocks on the cover, or the stub moves inside the tower before the rails move, the isolator and bushings are done. If only the stick wobbles where it threads onto the stub, the problem is the stick itself and our NV4500 curved shifter stick kit fixes it. Grinding into gears or a gear popping out under load is an internal problem; see our manual vs automatic transmission repair cost guide for what that repair involves.
This kit is for 1998 and later Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks with the 5.9L Cummins and the NV4500 five-speed, which use the four-bolt square shift top. Earlier Dodge NV4500s with the round shift top take a different setup. The rubber isolator part number 5003214AA is also used under the NV5600 tower, but this kit is listed for the NV4500 only. Your existing stick and knob carry over. If your truck has had its transmission swapped, or you are not sure which top it has, look at the bolt pattern under the boot or send us the year and VIN before you order. Other NV4500 parts are in our hard parts category.
While the tower is off, check the gear oil level at the side fill plug. If the box also grinds, plan on the Dodge NV4500 synchronizer ring kit when it comes apart.
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Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
It is listed for 1998-up trucks with the four-bolt square shift top. Earlier trucks with the round top need different parts, so check your shift top before ordering.
Yes. The kit replaces the tower, isolator, spacer, bushings and bolts. Your stick and knob thread back on.
The rubber isolator is still in the stack, so it still damps vibration. A firmer, shorter throw usually transmits slightly more feel than a collapsed factory isolator.
No. The tower comes off the top cover without draining the gear oil. Keep the opening covered while it is apart.
A worn isolator and bushings let the shift finger sit off center over the rails. A new tower stack recenters it. If it still hangs up, the rails or forks inside need inspection.
That number is the rubber spacer that sits between the top of the transmission and the shift tower. This kit includes it plus the tower, bushings and bolts.
