Removal and Replacement

Removal

1. Transmission and converter must be removed as an assembly. Otherwise, converter drive plate, pump bushing or oil seal may be damaged. The drive plate will not support a load; therefore, none of the weight of the transmission should be allowed to rest on the plate during removal.
2. Disconnect battery ground cable.
3. Remove cooler lines at transmission.
4. Remove starter motor and cooler line bracket.
5. Loosen pan to drain transmission.
6. Rotate crankshaft clockwise with socket wrench on crankshaft pulley bolt to position bolts attaching torque converter to drive plate and remove them.
7. Mark parts for reassembly, then disconnect propeller shaft at rear universal joint. Carefully pull shaft assembly out of the extension housing. Disconnect exhaust pipe from transmission, if necessary.
8. Disconnect the gearshift rod and torque shaft assembly from transmission.
9. Disconnect throttle rod from lever at left side of transmission. Remove bellcrank linkage from transmission if so equipped.
10. Remove oil filler tube and speedometer cable.
11. Support rear of the engine using a suitable jack.
12. Raise transmission slightly with service jack to relieve load on the supports.
13. Loosen bolts attaching transmission mount to crossmember and crossmember to frame, then remove crossmember.
14. Remove all bellhousing attaching bolts.
15. Carefully work transmission and converter assembly rearward off engine block dowels, then disengage converter hub from end of crankshaft. Attach a small C-clamp to edge of bellhousing to hold converter in place during transmission removal.
16. Lower transmission and remove assembly from vehicle.
17. To remove converter assembly, remove C-clamp from edge of bellhousing, then carefully slide assembly out of transmission.

Installation

The drive plate will not support a load, therefore, none of the weight of the transmission should be allowed to rest on the plate during installation.
1. Rotate pump rotors with Tool C-3756 until two small bolts in handle are vertical.
2. Carefully slide converter assembly over input shaft and reaction shaft. Ensure converter hub slots are also vertical and fully engage pump inner rotor lugs. Test for full engagement by placing a straightedge on face of case. The surface of converter front cover lug should be at least 1/2 in. to rear of straightedge when converter is pushed all the way into transmission.
3. Attach a small C-clamp to edge of the converter housing to hold converter in place during transmission installation.
4. Inspect converter drive plate for distortion or cracks and replace if necessary. Torque drive plate to crankshaft bolts to 83-90 ft-lbs, on all except 1984-86 Ram 50. On 1984-86 Ram 50, Torque to 94-101 ft-lbs. If drive plate replacement has been necessary, ensure both transmission dowel pins are in the engine block and they are protruding far enough to hold transmission in alignment.
5. Coat converter hub hole in crankshaft with multi-purpose grease. Place transmission and converter assembly on a service jack and position assembly under vehicle for installation. Raise or tilt as necessary until transmission is aligned with engine.
6. Carefully work transmission assembly forward over engine block dowels with converter hub entering the crankshaft opening.
7. After transmission is in position, install converter housing to engine bolts and tighten to 22-30 ft-lbs, on all except 1984-86 Ram 50. On 1984-86 Ram 50, torque to 31-40 ft-lbs.
8. Install crossmember to frame and lower transmission to install mount on extension to crossmember.
9. Install oil filler tube and speedometer cable.
10. Connect throttle rod to transmission lever.
11. Connect gearshift rod.
12. Carefully slide sliding yoke into extension housing and on output shaft splines. Align marks made at removal, then connect propeller shaft to rear axle pinion shaft yoke. Reconnect exhaust pipe to transmission, if removed.
13. Rotate engine clockwise with socket wrench on crankshaft pulley bolt, as needed to install converter to drive plate bolts. Torque bolts to 25-30 ft-lbs, on all models except 1984-86 Ram 50. On 1984-86 Ram 50, torque bolts to 33-38 ft-lbs.
14. Install starter motor and cooler line bracket.
15. Tighten cooler lines to transmission fittings.
16. Adjust shift and throttle linkage.
17. Refill transmission with Dexron type automatic transmission fluid.