MmmDieselFumes

I just got this truck about, oh 2.5 weeks ago, and I really have never driven another 5spd dodge to get a reference feel. My gear shift feels real "loose" for some reason. It's not really flappin around all over the place, it still comes back up to inbetween 3rd and 4th when in neutral, it just feels like it has more play than it should.

And also, when I'm putting it into any of the upper H gears (1,3,5) it doesn't feel like there's good contact with that gear. It doesn't feel like it slid all the way in there and "locked" into that gear....

Sorry, it's just a little hard explaining a feeling.

But I was thinking (and hoping) that these dodges were like some other vehicles that had sloppy shifting, to where I could (on a topshift) unbolt the stick from the tranny and replace the hard plastic boot on the end of the stick, and replace the rubber shifter seat that the stick sits in, and have it feel like it shifts like a brand new tranny...

So, does anyone have the foggiest idea of what I'm talkin about, or do I need to enroll in some more english and composition classes this fall?

Box5

what year is ur truck? the 97 and older ones have a one piece shift cover so the shift tower is part of tranny cover. There's a locking cup that secures the shifter into the trans and it has a spring in it so it returns to the center. That could be worn out and causing sloppyness. The shifter should be pretty firm and smooth, not sloppy. Take the shift boot off, but leave the shifter in the trans, theres a metel cup that surrounds the shifter inside the opening of the trans, push down on it with two screwdrivers and turn it left until u can can lift the shifter out. Check the spring and if it feels kinda loose and the cup doesn't have resistance when u move it back and forth, u'll have to replace that or the whole shifter (not sure if it's one piece or not), but that will fix the sloppyness.

MmmDieselFumes

Hmm. That could very well be it. Is it the same for 96 and before? Cause my truck's a 96 2500 4x4 5sp (should probably put that in my sig...).

Box5

yep, 97 and older nv4500's have the one piece shift tower

kas83

Thanks Box, I was going to ask a question about my 97 that does the same thing. Looks like I have to dig into it a little bit. Can do that, my clutch, and BD short shift kit all at the same time.