P.S. - the Ranger has continued to work well with the new oil filter, so I didn't wind up touching the seal. Which is probably bad for me, as I clearly need the practice. 


It's very rattly. Add more oil

That's awesome. Rattle, rattle, rattle. Shift. Who needs a tach when you got sound like that? Kudo's on the shifter too.
Good job on sticking with it and getting that beast back together!!
Good grief, when is the LS 6.2 swap?

Nice shifter. Fix those lifters.
David

Nice! I think it sounds good..
Great works sir!

I do it the same way Martin does it, slow and deliberate, because it'll literally just pop in once you get the parts lined up.

Did you get the correct sychromesh sauce GM recommends for the 4500?
If I'm not mistaken, Dodge calls for a similar stupidly expensive oil. Here's the specs with GM part #'s. 4500 first (bold) second is the 3500. Taken from the 2003 Silverado owners manual.
Manual Transmission (5–Speed with Low Gear, RPO MW3)
GM Goodwrench Synthetic Manual Transmission Fluid (GM Part No. U.S. 12346190, in Canada 10953477) or equivalent SAE 75W-85 GL-4 gear oil.
Manual Transmission (5–Speed without Low Gear, RPO MG5)
Synchromesh Transmission Fluid (GM Part No. U.S. 12345349, in Canada 10953465, or equivalent).
