So, I got my 318 last night with a NV3500 transmission. 50,000 miles on both, pulled from a wreck. I bought it off of the owner of the wrecked truck, it is from a 1997 Dodge Dakota with 2WD. Really excited to get going on it after I fix my head gasket on my V6. He also made me take the rear end with it, has a 3.73 gear ratio, which if I plan to actually use I will need to change out the front gearing because my 4WD truck currently has a 3.55 ratio. Engine came with no AC compressor, no water pump, and no alternator. Good opportunity to upgrade everything, will probably use my existing AC compressor. I like the electric water pump idea, but after looking at it the upgrade from Summit still requires that you have a water pump, so you are just attaching an electric water motor to it seperately. There was a thread about this before, and I though the actual pump was electric but I can't track that pump down. Attaching the add on may be better?

Engine came with absolutely EVERY wire from the truck, including new stereo . Makes my job a whole lot easier. I have the computer, V8 wiring harness, mounts, everything. What I believe I am going to need to do here now is first figure out what to do about having a 2WD trans and needing to bolt on my transfer case so I can get 4WD. New trans I guess or swap insides with a N3500 4WD case.

The cosmetic work no the truck will have to wait for a bit now, until I finish some other priorities like the engine.

 

thats sweet man! good luck with it all.

as for the 2WD tranny, it wont work if you want your 4x4. the transfer case wont bolt on.

and as for the cosmetics waiting, thats good, always focus on the engine first, if you do cosmetics first, then you might end up with a nice looking truck sitting in the garage lol

 

where are you located i might be interested in the tranny if your not going to use it... I would look for a nv4500 4x4 tranny fiirst off, it will be way stronger with your 318 vs the 3500. Otherwise if you find a way to convert it let me know how and what is envolved.

Thanks

 

Cool! A lot of work, but it will be worth it! As for the water pump the link is in the FAQ2.

 

The NV3500 is plenty strong. They used it the the 5.9 Ram (which is the top of its torque handling). If you want a stroker, or something with a high increase in torque over a stock 5.9, you should look for an NV4500... or... you should do what I'm doing and look for an NV5600 for when I get the 408 built :P

 

Im not saying the 3500 wont work strength wise, since he cannot use it because it is 2WD i was just saying why not look for a NV4500 4x4 it would be way stronger Correct me if im wrong but was the 3500 used with the V6's? Or was that a diff manual tranny? I know its in FAQ but i dont wanna dig again lol.

 

The AX-15 was used in the V6, the NV3500 was used in the V8 Dakota, and both the 5.2 and 5.9 V8 1500 Rams. The NV4500 was used in the 2500 and 3500 5.9 V8 and 5.9 l6 Heavy Duty Rams. The NV5600 replaced the 4500 in I think '99 and newer, but I could be misremembering that date, Heavy Duty Rams. The 5600 has the same low and high ratio as the 4500, but has one more gear inbetween and a 20% higher torque handling rating than the 4500. Thats as far as my research has gotten me info wise. I'm looking for a 5600 to see if I can make it fit in my truck behind the 408

 

That would be freakin awesome if you could do that Let me know what you find. Thats what i thought was on the V6's...for some reason i thought the 3500 was v6 as well?

Thanks

 

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

From my reading... that looks like it should be a bolt on replacement pump more like what you are looking for (I think).

I am also wondering what the size differences are between the nv3500 and 4500/5600 (What was the six speed in the Viper and Srt-10 Rams? I thought that was 5600)

I would assume the 4500s would be bigger... and maybe require some tranny tunnel expandorating... but I haven't done any research.

 

The NV3500 was used behind V6s but not until sometime around 2000.

Good luck fitting a NV4500 in the trans tunnel.