So I purchased a '97 Dakota club cab 4x4 5.2L manual transmission (nv3500) that had a busted bell housing, completely busted all the way around. Thought it would be easy to find one at a junk yard. Man was I wrong! First off the bell housing is integrated into the trans housing and is not removable, second these tranny are apparently very rare and expensive, only put in 97-99 Dakota's with 5.2L engines. My question is: What is the difference between this nv3500 and the ones put in the Ram1500's same model years? I've seen post that says the shifter location is slightly different. Is that the only difference? Will my transfer case and drive shafts work with one out of a Ram1500? If the only difference is the shifter location, I believe I can handle altering the bends on the shifter. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
Edit

 

Should be able to find one from a Dakota with a 3.9. I had one in my 03 with a 3.9. same bell housing bolt pattern as the 5.2.

 

The 3.9 will have an AX15 but it will bolt to the 5.2.

 

thanks, do you know if everything will hook up the same (rear drive shaft, transfer case, front drive shaft, etc).

 

Not trying to argue but the build sheet said it was a nv3500HD.

 

I would like to think so, I know they made interior changes over the years of the 2nd gen Dakota. And went to 4 wheel disc sometime in between as well. And if I remember correctly only the 03 and 04 came with stock 16 inch wheels because of the disc brakes, unless it was an option.......I think they came with larger diameter rotors. I don't know if they changed the yolk sizes, or shaft diameters. I would like to think they stayed the same. If you find one at a salvage yard you could always grab the pinion yolks from the front and rear, and take both shafts. Or measure. And I know some transfer case in that time period were electric.

 

My 98 has the AX15 but I believe Chrysler quit using the AX15 around the 2000 model year and went to the NV3500 in the Dakotas and Jeeps.

 

ahhhh, gotcha. I had a 2003.

 

Phillip,
I just seen this and wanted to add a little from my experience with the nv3500.
1. Dakota and Ram have a shifter location difference. From my understanding, the ram version puts the shifter too far under the dash.
2. There is a difference in the 4.7 NV3500 and the 3.9-5.2. While the engine bolts up, the flywheel cover is different. Not sure if this applies to the 2nd gens or not, but on the 1st gens. there are supports that run from the diff. to the bottom of the transmission. I had to modify mine to make them fit.
3.Another thing to consider, is your transfer case mechanical shift or electric? The newer dakota's that are electric shift do not have the bosses on the transmission to mount the transfer case shifter. Again, I had to make a bracket to mount it differently.
4. When looking at the used transmission, look at the end of the input shaft, (pilot bearing end) They seem to wear and not be smooth. If that is the case, you will need to replace the input shaft, or possibly find a repair kit....
5. Last, I dont believe the NV3500 was ever used in a Jeep. They used a NV3550 which is similar but has a bolt on bell housing.

FWIW here is a link to mine. I converted from a NV2500 to a NV3500. From the pictures you can see some of the differences I was talking about. https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...th-nv3500.html