It's a bushing that holds the pilot bearing, perhaps this is why some people think there are crank differences. Because they get a pilot bearing and it's way smaller than the hole in the crank.

 

So the sleeve makes up the difference?

 

Yes, it's not a sleeve it's a bushing and a roller pilot bearing. link to part http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BC...y=Make%7cDODGE

 

Yes. When I bought the bushing from the parts store it had a bearing installed. One other thing... If you can find an NV4500 v8 (so that would make it a 2500) truck you can afford, go for that. It's a much stronger transmission, and has a granny low 5.61:1 first gear. If you do any off roading that is infinitely valuable.


Everything is a direct swap from the manual truck to the auto, except you might have to use pieces from both pedal brackets to make one that works for your truck. I remember reading something about that on the cummins forum or something...


If you use an NV3500, your drive shafts will be fine. If you use an NV4500, they will need to be modified, as it is significantly shorter.

 

Very good advice!

 

I'm torn on this though. I don't do enough offloading to warrant a granny gear. But, you never know. I don't think the driveshaft will be a problem because whatever I do I will be getting the whole truck to help eliminate any problems.

Are the transfer cases the same on a 2500? Im pretty sure I'll have to swap transfer cases because the splines are different.

It's seems easier to find a manual in the 2500s and I would love to have the beefier tranny.

I'll just swap out the brake pedals too because the one on a manual is significantly smaller

 

Well even if you dont do alot of offroading the NV4500 will still be the best option. just start out in second gear

 

Haha yeah I know how to drive with a granny gear, as in not using it unless you specifically need it, but thanks anyway.

At this point I think I'll take whatever I can find,

 

The 4:1 1st gear in the NV3500 is plenty low enough for most things IMO. I've been beating on my NV3500 for quite a while and have yet to hurt it. It has about 215k miles on it.

 

If you are planning on finding a whole truck, you should use the T-case out of the 2500 anyway (and don't get me started on the axles ), because 241's have 6 gear planetaries, vs a 4 gear planetary in the 231's in your 1500. If you use an NV4500 from a v8 truck it will be a 23 spline output (just like your 46re, so you COULD use your 1500 case) but if you use one from a v10/diesel it will be a 29 spline output, and REQUIRE you to use the 2500 tcase. The input is also larger in the HD NV4500's, but you can order the smaller one and swap it out pretty easily.