So I ordered a 98 counter shaft to replace the broken cluster in my 98 cummins. Apparently the unit has been replaced by an older one, a 96, which has a different counter shaft. Same tooth and wise but just one small different in the reverse section. Can I make the new style shaft work in my 96 trans? I already have it installed in the transmission bearings and all as I didn’t notice the difference or know if it till now!

 

Put it in reverse and turn it by hand to see if it binds up. Or maybe if the tooth count is different, it won't even go in gear.

 

I forget what gear it is but the last gear on the main shaft at the rear of the case won’t sit in all the way down, the old counter had a shorter spline set on reverse leaving a blank area for that last gear. Can’t even put it together

 

Yeah, sucks but you'll need the correct shaft for your transmission.