Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial, and for publicizing the parts. My son lost his linkage on his 2003 Ram1500 last summer. There's a great hardware store an hour south of us in Bellingham, Washington (Hardware Sales) and they had everything in stock. Got it all for $35. We finally got around to installing it just before winter. I didn't use Loctite as I figured with nylon-lined friction nut and lock washers it would be sufficient, which it has been. I gave everything a spray with "Fluid Film" (a corrosion preventing and lubricating product from Ontario, Canada) to keep it lubed and free of salt damage. Once we got the linkage properly adjusted to the lever positions, it worked perfectly. And its been working ever since. Fasteners are tight and the shifting is smooth. The cheapest replacement for the OE style linkage we could find (locally) was around $55. This design is bulletproof and a bargain. Its never going to break or fall off like the original. Again; Kudos to you for your ingenuity, and your generosity in sharing an excellent problem solver! Cheers! 🍻 👏🤝🖐
Thank you so much - I was losing my mind thinking the whole transfer case was F'ed. Instead $20 later, with your help, my 06 3500 lives to plow another day.
I bot mine off Wish @ 35.00 Canadian. It took them over a month to get it to me! I suspect it was stolen at my sisters place or fell off,as the bushing from dodge still has some steel in it! Your idea is 100% good!
Great job. Lost my linkage somewhere on a 1800 mile trip. Like you I bumped the shifter and found it wasn't connected. The linkage apparently fell off somewhere along the highway. Thanks for the fix.
Awesome video! Thanks! I’m dealing with the same thing. I think I’m gonna try your design. I’m surprised there aren’t more after market linkages like this.
I don’t remember exactly, but you will want to make your adjustments and then get into the truck and shift it a few times to find what feels optimized. You’ll know when the throw of that lever feels just right.
Good video! I like your design. I just installed a Dorman factory repop on mine this afternoon, but I think your design is better. And cheaper. If I ever do it again, I'll make something like your's. The only thing I'd change is I'd use spherical rod end bearings instead of eye bolts. They have a bearing in them that can swivel in and out. It'd cost a little more, but still probably less than the $32 I paid for a factory type. Good job man!
Got all the parts but the spacers don't slide on loosely like yours though. They actually have a single thread at one end which stops the bolt from sliding all the way through. Your post here says 1/2-in x 2-in Yellow Dichromate Coarse Thread Hex Bolt and the post on Dodgeforum says Hex Bolts 1/2" x 2" ( 63329). And idea if there is a difference between the two that would keep the space from sliding on? Seems like I could force the threads through the spacer by tightening with a wrench but not sure that's the thing to do. Thank you.
I just installed a new one. Everything works the way it should except for the indicator light. I’ve seen it on before, but it does not come on every time I put into four or four high.
@@ApacheRanch nope. I went to 3 lowes and 2 did not sell it. It was a pain finding a lowes that had all the parts. I live in the middle of no where so I would have to travel 2 hours. Cost me like $20.00.
@@SurvivalSavvvy you are correct - if does not come with the turnbuckle. I reviewed the video and remember adding that 3/8 bolt (course thread) to help lock the turnbuckle from moving. Thanks for your question and comments!
Hey Scotty,you can put a dodge ram in an 8 foot wide x 12 foot deep ditch, and not bend the front end! I missed the driveway last winter,oops thats no good,just the rear axle was still on the rd! Had a tractor pull me out! I thought 4 sure id bent the fender and would need at least a new light lens and fender,but to my surprise, no damage!!!!😊 Now,back when I had my 76 ford pickup f350, I just barely clipped a car and the front fender,the rad cradle all bent! I recently saw a late model chev,its nose had some damage,the chrome grill is as thin as aluminum foil and the bumper had been bent,nothing there ! He put a moose bar on it to protect the front from any further damage! My dodge has 374000 kilometres on it and still going like the everready bunny,except their transfer cases ,which are made by new process or new venture,and tend to die prematurely! If dog would go back to a side mount transfer case like a pto on bigger trucks or their 86 dog 4x4s ,then at least 2 wheel drive would still work! (Note,i had an 86 dodge 4x4,i thought its transfer case was side mounted,and its 4x4 shift was set up different, didnt really look at it,but i thought it was coming out of the side of the gear box. Not sure on that!) As it is,the drive chain is what drives the truck from the transfer case, bad idea,if its stretched itll slip. I managed to drive in low range,and standard 2 wheel drive worked, but i heard a lot of scuffing sounds. The 4 high went capow last winter and all I heard was grinding gears,when i got stuck in snow,I stomped on it,and that's when it went ! Dodeg has a very good truck frame,the rear cross member is welded round tubing and is also welded to the tow block! Better then fords or gms ladder frames! Gm went to round steel tubing for cross members,but i wonder how long that thin tube will last with salt corrosion? So,last week you crapped on dodge,they work good, but the mileage sucks,15 mpg ,as its all programmed into the computer,but if i burn higher octane gas,some says the comouter will adjust te carburetor? And I'll still get the same mileage?? True or not? Woops,i meant this for Scotty's youtube! But itll do here as well!
I just lost this tranfer case linkage AGAIN on my 2004 Ram for the 2nd time. Going to go the route you took and make my own since these dang OEM parts keep falling off. Great idea, thanks!
It seems I need a longer turnbuckle than 10.5" to line it up on my 08 3500, both bolts have to be nearly removed to have enough length. Also, if you buy this exact turnbuckle, good luck getting one of the bolts back in w/o stripping the crappily cut threads on it. Hopefully you guys have more luck than me.
my 2012 ram 2500 with hemi and ST trim , the distance between the shifter hole and transfer case hole is 6.2 inches. this turnbuckle solution is way to long for me. And replacement parts I find online are way too long too. guess i fabricate.
Thumbs up and new subscriber !!! Thanks for sharing this awesome fix to a serious design flaw on Dodge rrucks. Rhis happened to my 2002 Ram 1500 and it's such a better and sturdier replacement than the OEM part. It's less expensive as well. Thanks again 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🍻🍻🎸🎸
Should the washers needed be 1/2" rather than 5/8". Didn't think that was right when I was at the store, but that is what it said to get. Should've listened to my gut. Also need a jam nut for the turnbuckle.
Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial, and for publicizing the parts. My son lost his linkage on his 2003 Ram1500 last summer. There's a great hardware store an hour south of us in Bellingham, Washington (Hardware Sales) and they had everything in stock. Got it all for $35. We finally got around to installing it just before winter. I didn't use Loctite as I figured with nylon-lined friction nut and lock washers it would be sufficient, which it has been. I gave everything a spray with "Fluid Film" (a corrosion preventing and lubricating product from Ontario, Canada) to keep it lubed and free of salt damage. Once we got the linkage properly adjusted to the lever positions, it worked perfectly. And its been working ever since. Fasteners are tight and the shifting is smooth. The cheapest replacement for the OE style linkage we could find (locally) was around $55. This design is bulletproof and a bargain. Its never going to break or fall off like the original. Again; Kudos to you for your ingenuity, and your generosity in sharing an excellent problem solver! Cheers! 🍻 👏🤝🖐
That is so great to hear! Thanks for sharing your experience and the tips about Fluid Film. I appreciate that greatly!
WHERE DID YOU SOURCE YOUR PARTS
Links in description of video
Im at lowes right now 🤣@@ApacheRanch
Thank you so much - I was losing my mind thinking the whole transfer case was F'ed. Instead $20 later, with your help, my 06 3500 lives to plow another day.
Awesome!!!
Great fix! I went to Loews and fit the parts for less than $20. Put it in and it works great! Thanks so much!
Great glad it worked!!
That is crazy. Parts just falling off. Come on Dodge, get it together.
Yep I lost one like that... the dealership loves it
I bot mine off Wish @ 35.00 Canadian. It took them over a month to get it to me!
I suspect it was stolen at my sisters place or fell off,as the bushing from dodge still has some steel in it!
Your idea is 100% good!
Thanks!
Great job. Lost my linkage somewhere on a 1800 mile trip. Like you I bumped the shifter and found it wasn't connected. The linkage apparently fell off somewhere along the highway. Thanks for the fix.
Glad it helped! Hopefully this time it will stay on for you!!
The locking nylon nut plus Loctite Blue should due the trick. What dumb Dodge/Ram engineering!!
Awesome video! Thanks! I’m dealing with the same thing. I think I’m gonna try your design. I’m surprised there aren’t more after market linkages like this.
This is great - no fail. Better than the part that failed.
What length from eye to eye of the bolts did you end up with that put it in the correct position? This was a great idea!
I don’t remember exactly, but you will want to make your adjustments and then get into the truck and shift it a few times to find what feels optimized. You’ll know when the throw of that lever feels just right.
What a awesome idea I have a 2006 2500 dodge and that has happened to me twice that looks like a permanent fix thank you
Yeah that stock part is junk!
Good video! I like your design. I just installed a Dorman factory repop on mine this afternoon, but I think your design is better. And cheaper. If I ever do it again, I'll make something like your's. The only thing I'd change is I'd use spherical rod end bearings instead of eye bolts. They have a bearing in them that can swivel in and out. It'd cost a little more, but still probably less than the $32 I paid for a factory type. Good job man!
Great idea. Yeah that would be a much nicer bearing. Thanks for your comment!
usually there are rubber bushing to avoid noise ..... just wondering heard andy extra rattle as you drive?
None - it doesn't rattle and I don't hear any noise or get any vibration. Thanks for your question!
Nice watch!
Noticed today my linkage was gone by just touching the shifter 😮 lol I was like wtf?!
Hahahaha. Yeah it’s crazy how it just falls off!
Yeah I’ve had this same Tag watch since 1987 - I like it!
Got all the parts but the spacers don't slide on loosely like yours though. They actually have a single thread at one end which stops the bolt from sliding all the way through. Your post here says 1/2-in x 2-in Yellow Dichromate Coarse Thread Hex Bolt and the post on Dodgeforum says Hex Bolts 1/2" x 2" ( 63329). And idea if there is a difference between the two that would keep the space from sliding on? Seems like I could force the threads through the spacer by tightening with a wrench but not sure that's the thing to do. Thank you.
I just installed a new one. Everything works the way it should except for the indicator light. I’ve seen it on before, but it does not come on every time I put into four or four high.
I have the same problem can you let me know what parts I need
Parts are listed in the description of the video
U have to add a Hillman 3/8-in x 16 Zinc-Plated Steel Hex Nut for the /8 X 10-1/2 Aluminum/Steel Eye and Eye Turnbuckle? Correct?
No. That 3/8 turnbuckle comes with the parts needed already if I remember correctly.
@@ApacheRanch nope. I went to 3 lowes and 2 did not sell it. It was a pain finding a lowes that had all the parts. I live in the middle of no where so I would have to travel 2 hours. Cost me like $20.00.
Let me see when it comes in the photo does not show it. I will update this in 4 days when I receive the parts
@@SurvivalSavvvy you are correct - if does not come with the turnbuckle. I reviewed the video and remember adding that 3/8 bolt (course thread) to help lock the turnbuckle from moving. Thanks for your question and comments!
What store did you buy the parts from
See the links provided in the video description
Hey Scotty,you can put a dodge ram in an 8 foot wide x 12 foot deep ditch, and not bend the front end!
I missed the driveway last winter,oops thats no good,just the rear axle was still on the rd!
Had a tractor pull me out!
I thought 4 sure id bent the fender and would need at least a new light lens and fender,but to my surprise, no damage!!!!😊
Now,back when I had my 76 ford pickup f350, I just barely clipped a car and the front fender,the rad cradle all bent!
I recently saw a late model chev,its nose had some damage,the chrome grill is as thin as aluminum foil and the bumper had been bent,nothing there !
He put a moose bar on it to protect the front from any further damage!
My dodge has 374000 kilometres on it and still going like the everready bunny,except their transfer cases ,which are made by new process or new venture,and tend to die prematurely!
If dog would go back to a side mount transfer case like a pto on bigger trucks or their 86 dog 4x4s ,then at least 2 wheel drive would still work!
(Note,i had an 86 dodge 4x4,i thought its transfer case was side mounted,and its 4x4 shift was set up different, didnt really look at it,but i thought it was coming out of the side of the gear box.
Not sure on that!)
As it is,the drive chain is what drives the truck from the transfer case, bad idea,if its stretched itll slip.
I managed to drive in low range,and standard 2 wheel drive worked, but i heard a lot of scuffing sounds.
The 4 high went capow last winter and all I heard was grinding gears,when i got stuck in snow,I stomped on it,and that's when it went !
Dodeg has a very good truck frame,the rear cross member is welded round tubing and is also welded to the tow block!
Better then fords or gms ladder frames!
Gm went to round steel tubing for cross members,but i wonder how long that thin tube will last with salt corrosion?
So,last week you crapped on dodge,they work good, but the mileage sucks,15 mpg ,as its all programmed into the computer,but if i burn higher octane gas,some says the comouter will adjust te carburetor? And I'll still get the same mileage?? True or not?
Woops,i meant this for Scotty's youtube! But itll do here as well!
very efficient cheap and quick. love it! good job bud
Glad it helped!
Yep it's back there somewhere on route 66
🤬
I just lost this tranfer case linkage AGAIN on my 2004 Ram for the 2nd time. Going to go the route you took and make my own since these dang OEM parts keep falling off. Great idea, thanks!
Awesome! Let me know how it works out for you!!
It seems I need a longer turnbuckle than 10.5" to line it up on my 08 3500, both bolts have to be nearly removed to have enough length. Also, if you buy this exact turnbuckle, good luck getting one of the bolts back in w/o stripping the crappily cut threads on it. Hopefully you guys have more luck than me.
Just want to know what the length is of that part that you make shift for the shifter what's the length on it
In the description. Part #1. Turn buckle. 10.5”
@@ApacheRanch thank you
my 2012 ram 2500 with hemi and ST trim , the distance between the shifter hole and transfer case hole is 6.2 inches. this turnbuckle solution is way to long for me. And replacement parts I find online are way too long too. guess i fabricate.
Where is your list of parts for this repair?
In the video description I show the list of parts
Will the linkage you made will that fit 97 dodge ram with 4x4
Probably but the main thing you want to check is that the length of the turnbuckle fits under your 97.
Thanks@@ApacheRanch
Thank you for posting this video. Excellent information.
Glad it helped!
Why not use heim joints?
I’m not familiar with that. What’s a heim joint?
@ApacheRanch look them up, much better but a little more expensive then your setup. Less parts as well.
Thanks for the idea! I appreciate your comment
I put zip ties on mine so I don't loose it when the bushings fall out, and they always do.
Thanks. Much better solution than oem
Glad it helped!!
Thanks for sharing this video. Awesome idea
Glad it helped!!
Thumbs up and new subscriber !!! Thanks for sharing this awesome fix to a serious design flaw on Dodge rrucks. Rhis happened to my 2002 Ram 1500 and it's such a better and sturdier replacement than the OEM part. It's less expensive as well. Thanks again 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🍻🍻🎸🎸
Glad it helped!!!
Should the washers needed be 1/2" rather than 5/8". Didn't think that was right when I was at the store, but that is what it said to get. Should've listened to my gut. Also need a jam nut for the turnbuckle.
What were the dimensions he said was gonna b down here
What are the dimensions of the link please
The link is a 3/8 inch thick by 10.5 inch long turnbuckle. See video description for more parts required.