NV-273, NP-273 Transfer Case Specs
| Model Designations | NV-273, NP-273, NP-273F, NV-273F, NP-273D, NV-273D | |
| Manufacturer | New Process Gear (later New Venture Gear) | |
| Assembly Sites | East Syracuse, New York 1999 - 2010 Full production shifted to Mexico by 2011 |
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| Applications | 2003 - 2012 Dodge Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, 5500 1999 - 2010 Ford F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Excursion |
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| Case Material | Cast aluminum | |
| Transfer Case Type | Chain drive | |
| Shift Type | Electric shift | |
| High Range Gear Ratio | 1.00 : 1 | |
| Low Range Gear Ratio | 2.72 : 1 | |
| Fluid Spec | Ford | Motorcraft MERCON LV ATF (Supersedes Motorcraft XL-12 transfer case fluid) |
| Dodge/Ram | MOPAR ATF+4 ATF | |
| Fluid Capacity | 2.0 U.S. quarts (4 pints) | |
| Service Intervals | Ford | 150,000 miles under normal driving conditions 60,000 miles under "severe" service conditions* |
| Dodge/Ram | 60,000 miles/48 months under normal driving conditions 30,000 miles/24 months under "severe" service conditions* |
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* Severe service conditions include frequent use of the 4 wheel drive system and/or off-road driving situations.
How to Replace the Fluid in a NV-273 Transfer Case
The process outlined below is based on a Ford transfer case (NV-273F), however service procedures are applicable for Dodge NV-273 transfer cases (NV-273D).
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• Ensure the vehicle is off, the transmission is placed in park (or in gear if equipped with manual transmission), and that the parking brake is fully set.
• Locate the transfer case drain and fill plugs on the rear of the case. We recommend you loosen the fill plug first to ensure that it can be removed before draining the transfer case. Do not drain the transfer case if the fill plug is seized in the case; proceed with service only after the fill plug has been extracted/repaired.
• Place a suitable drain pan below the transfer case drain plug.
• Remove the drain plug (10 mm Allen) and allow the transfer case fluid to drain.
• When the transfer case fluid has drained completely, reinstall the drain plug snug tight (do not overtighten, threads in cast aluminum case are easy to strip).
• 3 quarts of Motorcraft XL-12 (for Ford applications) or MOPAR ATF+4 (for Dodge/Ram applications) and a fluid pump are required to refill the transfer case. While the transfer case capacity is listed as 2 quarts, you'll want a 3rd quart on hand as it is difficult to completely empty a quart container with a fluid pump. Quart container hand pumps are available at your preferred auto parts store.
• Remove the fill plug (10 mm Allen).
• Pump ATF into the transfer case through the fill plug hole until the fluid level reaches the bottom of the fill plug (oil will begin to run out of the fill plug hole when it is full).
• Once the transfer case oil level is full, reinstall the fill plug and snug tight. Clean any spilled oil from the transfer case.
• Drive vehicle, park on level surface, and check for leaks.