when I climb under my truck and look up at the transmission I can see what looks like a big gear (fly wheel?) Am I missing a cover or is made like that. Thanks

If I recall, that is only on automatics and yes there is supposed to be a cover there that you can take off to allow you to take the torque converter bolts out.

If I recall, that is only on automatics and yes there is supposed to be a cover there that you can take off to allow you to take the torque converter bolts out.

Its been like that ever since I've owned the truck (1 year) will it hurt anything? Any one know where I can get a replacement?

To confirm, it is this thing, called the torque converter inspection plate. http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/98-5-02-powertrain/192928-torque-converter-inspection-plate-questions-47re.html

I don't think it will hurt anything (obviously, since you haven't had it in a long time), it just keeps crap out, but you should really get one just incase you end up going through mud or other things that could happen to wreak havoc. Junkyards probably have them.

Here's a pic of it missing from that link.

yep thats it. Is it held on with 4 bolts?

yep thats it. Is it held on with 4 bolts?

Probably. If you can see that much of the converter then its definitely that plate missing, just go find another trans in the junkyard and your problem will be solved

Probably. If you can see that much of the converter then its definitely that plate missing, just go find another trans in the junkyard and your problem will be solved

Yeah that's it and it's held on by 3 or 4 small bolts ... I would get a cover for it from yard as Isx said to keep dust from getting up ...

or just make a cover out of some thin gauge metal, from what i can see do not look like it would be all that hard to do

To get to the flexplate bolts you need to remove a little cover on the passengerside of the flywheel housing from the front right close to the engine barring tool hole. to go straigh into the bolts. You can't get the bolts throught the bottom.