okay, so i just purchased a 1994 ram 1500 318 5 speed 4x4 last night. When i was driving it around today it got stuck in 4th gear and it will not come out. What is my problem? How do i fix my truck?

Thanks
-Alex

 

push harder on the shifter????
or your trans is f***ed

 

Check the fluid level. If its low and burnt smelling dont bother adding any, just pull it out and have it rebuild.

If the fluid is fine and smells like it should then you will still need to pull it out and take it apart.

Could be a detent came out of the shift rods, could be a bent fork, who knows.

 

Well i found out the problem, thank God it was nothing serious. The top plate on the transfer case where the shifter goes in was loose for some reason causing wobble. This made the ball end of the shifter slip out of "cup" reciever in the transmission leaving it in 4th. I was able to slip the ball back in and tighten down the plate and that fixed it I was really hoping the truck i just purchase 24 hours ago wasnt screwed lol, but i like the truck

 

one more question. where should the fluid level in my transmission be? how do i check the level and how do i add more fluid? The only place that i could see to get into the trans to add oil is the top plate where the shifter goes in, is this where i would add more? Also, what gear oil should be used? I have read that the half ton 318s came with either a nv3500 or nv4500, what do you guys think mine is on my 4wd? Is there a way to check?

Thanks alot,
Alex

 

There will be a plug on the side of the trans, I can't remeber which side. It will be higher up than the drain plug, somewhere in the middle of the trans. Pull that plug out and fluid should run out or you should be able to stick your pinky right in the hole a have fluid on it. I would just use regular ATF in it, just shoot it in that hole until it runs back out.

 

ATF on a stick? weird... but okay lol

 

Yep, alot of them use AFT or motor oil. Gear oil is to thick in winter time, and also, that trans has clutch coated synchros.

 

Use synchromesh. Pretty much a dealer only fluid, some specialty parts stores will have it. The fill plug is on the passengers side, about in the middle of the transmission.

 

MonteC, just a straight question. Your'e not one of these builders on a power trip are you? Every tech I know in this field knows, that on a NV2500 and 3500, you can use regular ATF. Same with a T5, T45, and T56. Now the NV4500,5600,ZF5 and ZF6, I would use the synthetic fluid because they are so huge and generate alot more heat. I'm just wondering, no disrespect intended. Like I said though, everybody has their opinion, I'mm not saying you are wrong by no means.