TSB 19-06-97

Shift Linkage Component Identification

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Models: 1997 BR Ram Truck with Automatic transmission

Discussion:

A change to the steering column, shift rod assembly, torque shaft, transmission lever (42RE only), and the gear selector indicator occurred between Jan. 21, 1997 and Jan. 30, 1997. In addition, there was a minor re-routing of the headlamp and instrument panel wiring harness and canister purge vacuum hoses to avoid contact with the location of the new steering column shift lever and shift rod. Components that changed are not compatible with components prior to the change. The following chart identifies when the changes were made at each assembly plant:

 

11th position of VIN	Assembly Plant	Month-Date-Hour
S	Warren Truck Assembly plant	Jan 21, 1997 (MDH 012107)
J	St. Louis North Assembly Plant	Jan 22, 1997 (MDH 012208)
G	Saltillo Assembly Plant	Jan 30, 1997 (MDH 013003)
M	Lago Alberto Assembly Plant	Jan 30, 1997 (MDH 013021)

The following identification methods are provided to help in discriminating between the early column or late column style.

Method One

Determine the part number of the affected components (Fig 1) utilizing the following chart.

Method Two

The shift indicator spacing is different between the early built vehicles and the late built vehicles (Fig 2). The overall distance between "P" to "1" is smaller on early built vehicles; "D - 2 - 1" are especially close together.  The late built vehicle shift indicator has and overall larger and more even spacing. Identifying the shift indicator will determine which steering column and shift linkage components are installed.

Method Three

Another method to identify which steering column and shift lever assemblies are installed in the vehicle is by visually inspecting the angle at which the shift lever is located at when the the shifter is in PARK. Early built vehicles will have the shift lever at approximately 45 degrees (Fig 3) whereas the late built vehicles will have the shift linkage perpendicular (points horizontally to the left side of the vehicle) to the steering column.

notes:  Information only bulletin.