Ive got a 1997 5.2l 318 Magnum with a 44re trans slipping hard into 2nd and 3rd. In my garage i have a nv3500 from my brothers 2003 3.7l Ram 1500, Ive read that the nv3500 will bolt up to my 318, and ofcourse putting the NV to the 318 will require some of the components in the tranny to be swapped for the power of the 318 would do some work to the inside of the nv3500 6 cyl build. Could anyone tell me exactly what i would need for the transmission only to complete a swap. Im aware of the other things that will need to be done such as the master/slave cyl, flywheel, clutch pedal assy, ect. I just need to know what i need for the transmission itself so i dont tear it up. From reading different forums i saw A LOT of the nv3500 4x4's, my Dakota is a 2wd that i just want to swap to a 5 speed, do i have the wrong trans for this? Thank a lot guys!

 

The bolt pattern on the newer trans won't quite match up to the magnum engine, there will be one bolt that won't line up.

The other problem you will have is newer trans isn't going to have a provision for the vehicle speed sensor, that mounts in the tailshaft of your trans. Newer trucks didn't use it...... got the signal from the rear wheel speed sensor instead. (and I don't know if the signals are different between the sensors...... I would be they are though.)

NV3500 came behind the 5.2, so, it should last reasonably well, if you take care of it.

 

Ok, im not the master mechanic my pops is so im going to give him your insight and see what he thinks. if swap the 44re or rebuild it which is gonna run around 1200, which i dont have haha. Thanks my brotha