Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

2005 Wrangler with NV3550 shift tower issue

TjRich912

New Member
Original poster
Joined
Feb 27, 2023
Messages
2
Location
Saint Clair Shores Michigan
Quick overview of the Jeep. I just purchased this 2005 4.0 TJ NON RUNNING to get back into Jeeps (my old man just got a 392 so figured it was time again). Long story short, guy before me bought it non running as well and said the kid before him replaced the 6speed with an NV3550 but couldn’t get it going.

After spending the money on the Advance adapters bellhousing, 2005 Flywheel/clutch set, and putting in the proper CPS, the Jeep fired right up for me.

Now I needed to replace the shift plate because it had a blown out 2005 one. So I opted to get a 2004 shift plate (plate with rubber boot that bolts to the trans tunnel) because they had NV3550s in them as well. The new shift plate came in and lined up with all the old bolt holes (except for literally 1)

My issue now, is my Shifter is too big to go into second gear with the shift plate installed. And even if I take the shifter handle off the shift tower, you can see by the pics shown that the actual shift tower lever is soooo dang close to the edge as well. It’ has the bend in it. So I don’t think getting a different shifter handle (advance adapters has a few different ones) will solve the problem either as it’s just too close to the edge.…other pictures I’ve seen show the 2004 NV3550 shift tower lever as straight up and down instead of curved. Yet I see 2000-2004 shift towers for the 3550 being sold all have the curve or bend???

This is throwing me for an absolute loop. There is no way my transmission isn’t positioned right as EVERYTHING else lines up and it drives fine with the shift plate out. I just don’t believe this style shift tower goes with the 2004 Shift plate but don’t know what other shift plate I could get.

Any help or input is greatly appreciated.

7B37E6E4-4FDD-4E93-B7DD-E1580925555E.jpeg

As you can see it is right at the edge in second gear.

A9EF1243-8C3D-4015-B5C0-004683691EAD.png

This is the tower that is currently in my transmission.
 
Would the shifter tower from a NV3500 fit your transmission; it has a straight up and down shifter handle instead of the dog legged one in the above picture ?

View attachment 403683

https://www.ebay.com/p/1269802584

https://www.allstategear.com/Dodge-...m_source=googlebase&utm_medium=shoppingengine

See the one you just showed me has come up a bunch in my research and I’ve wondered the same thing. Having that straight post instead of the dog leg would instantly fix my problem, BUT Allstate Gear is pretty organized and they have everything broken down with their products and it worries me they don’t mention this fitting anything other than the 94-97 Dodge Ram. Im unfortunately going to guess it won’t fit this 3550.

I just don’t understand why a TJ NV3550 Straight post shift tower doesn’t pop up anywhere else online. The pic below came up when I typed in 2004 tj shift plate…..that post is perfectly vertical and I’ve seen others like it yet I can’t find one for sale.

9564B963-8DD6-4F2C-AF0A-18839A025D15.png
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator