Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Wife Cleaned Dashboard Truck Blew Up!!

[kenny61]

Wife Cleaned Dashboard Truck Blew Up!! Need New Transmission

Driving upstate when the wife decided to start cleaning dried up coffe from the dashboard. Well I guess it was the only thing holding my truck together since either the transmission or transfer case immediately blew up. Heard no noise the truck just went into "neutral" actually fifth is silent but 4th made noise "still wouldnt move". I haven't had a chance to figure out what went wrong yet. Got 165,000 miles and am just wondering what i should do if i gotta change the transmission or transfer case. I've seen alot of threads about nv5600 conversions and one or 2 on the g56. Main thing I'm looking for is whats the strongest transmission and transfer case for this truck. I don't do alot of towing but being a former US Marine I like to overkill everything. Also can anyone recomend a good transmission shop in the Westchester County NY area 1996 Club Cab 5speed 4WD

 

[TRoss]

I have no first hand experience in this area, but that isn't completely unlike what I've heard happens when you lose the fifth gear nut, dropping into "neutral" and having nothing in 5th gear, in that `96 I'm pretty sure you're a candidate for that problem. You said the other gears wouldn't do anything either, right? So that complicates things, but as I said, I have no first hand experience (knock on wood) with this situation, just going with what I've heard. Perhaps the 5th gear nut went and took something else with it, though I don't know how that would happen, nor have I ever heard of such a thing, but who knows.

On that note, have you tried spilling the coffee back on the dash? Perhaps that would help . . .

 

[CogginsP]

If it was the 5th gear nut you should be able to fix that pretty cheap and keep the NV4500. The NV4500 is bullet proof other than the 5th gear problem and then whatever clutch is on it. Oohrah!

 

[kenny61]

Definitely not just the 5th gear nut. No gears work. also put the standard transmission fully splined shaft in it about 70-100k miles ago.

 

[JGrover]

Found Standard transmission in the TDR mag. Standard Transmission & Gear

PH# 1-801-783-8726

Ive got 175k on my stock 5th gear

 

[kenny61]

Clutch???!!!

Crawled under it this morning with it running. Definitely got noise coming from the front of the transmission or bellhousing i can spin the transmission and it feels ok i think the clutch blew up it was a centerforce that i changed when i did the fifth gear and main shaft from standard transmission. Anyone ever have a clutch just blow up while driving with no load (1,200 lbs in the bed) on level ground?

 

[JasonCzerak]

Crawled under it this morning with it running. Definitely got noise coming from the front of the transmission or bellhousing i can spin the transmission and it feels ok i think the clutch blew up it was a centerforce that i changed when i did the fifth gear and main shaft from standard transmission. Anyone ever have a clutch just blow up while driving with no load (1,200 lbs in the bed) on level ground?

Center force clutches are not known for their durability in a diesel truck.

 

[Coalsmoke]

what kind of power do you have on your truck. Centerforce's are not the cat's @ss, but they still should not destruct under the torque from a stock truck. Still, lack of quality control could mean that yours was waiting to pop, especially if you launch your truck from time to time. It could have been mortaly wounded at a different time, it just decided to fully fall apart on you then. The first thing I would do is pull the driveshafts and unbolt the bell housing and see if you can slide your transmission back 3 or so inches to get a better look. You could do this in a couple of hours and then would know for sure if its the clutch.

 

[kenny61]

Found the problem. Apparently baby wipes are so strong they broke down the oil in the transmission! The input shaft snapped due to lack of oil. I guess the leak got worse because I checked it not to long ago. So I am asking you Oh Wise Members of the TDR what the heck should I do. Have this one rebuilt? put the 1 3/8" shaft in it? Go for the six speed conversion or just try to find a used 5 speed? Helllpppppp!!!!!!!! Oh and who should I have rebuild this thing if I go that route. The thing started leaking 6 months after the last guy rebuilt it.

 

[6BT-Dakota]

Well I would call the mfg. of the Baby Wipes and try to get them to pay for it.

 

[MMeier]

Well I would call the mfg. of the Baby Wipes and try to get them to pay for it.

... . that, or tell your wife to stick to keeping the house clean and you'll take care of the truck!! :-laf

 

[Coalsmoke]

I've also got to rebuild my nv4500 in short order, but mine is still working at the moment, just leaky and rattly. I looked loing and hard at doing a NV5600 conversion, but for the cost and extra weight, I decided that I'll just rebuild the NV4500 and put a gear vendors on it if I feel a little rich at the end of the year. 9 spd is better than 6:-laf

 

[FATCAT]

Found the problem. Apparently baby wipes are so strong they broke down the oil in the transmission! The input shaft snapped due to lack of oil. I guess the leak got worse because I checked it not to long ago. So I am asking you Oh Wise Members of the TDR what the heck should I do. Have this one rebuilt? put the 1 3/8" shaft in it? Go for the six speed conversion or just try to find a used 5 speed? Helllpppppp!!!!!!!! Oh and who should I have rebuild this thing if I go that route. The thing started leaking 6 months after the last guy rebuilt it.

I had a new NV4500 ordered from Quad4X4 ( Home ). I had Dan the Gear Man install their Torque King main shaft and his patented 5th gear fix. transmission has been fine for about 20 months now.



He is worth a look and a call, you can speak to Dan directly and he will layout all your options.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I would just put another 4500 in it. you could go with the big input, but you'll probably be just fine with another factory input. it lasted 165k miles, with the updated shaft and nut, etc. it oughta go that far and more again

 

[kenny61]

OK I called blumethals and ordered a rebuilt from them with a southbend con o clutch everything should be here on Wed. or Thurs. Now for the next question if I do the #10 fuel plate who should I Order it from?

 

[R.ebel]

Clutch

OK I called blumethals and ordered a rebuilt from them with a southbend con o clutch everything should be here on Wed. or Thurs. Now for the next question if I do the #10 fuel plate who should I Order it from?

I'd go with an "OFE" clutch if you are looking at a #10 plate, it will give you some room to grow in the power department when (notice I said "when" not "if" :-laf) you decide you need more power.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

definately do the OFE... zero downsides! plenty of room to grow

 

[kenny61]

using the clutch as my budget limiter. this way I won't be able to put anymore money into it until i need another clutch hopefully in another 10 years!!.



The truck in stock form has all the power I need especially after driving it for 3 years with no boost going to the afc. (long story the power went away slowly and i didnt realize it wasnt fueling until i drove my buddys 2005 and realized i wasnt getting that push back into the drivers seat from the turbo anymore. ) Basically i just want some bragging rights that my ram has more sack then his and be able to back it up!!!! Is TST the company to go with for the fuel plate or should i use a different one?

 

[Loren]

Kenny61,



You did the right thing. Coalsmoke has it nailed. For the same money as you'd spend on a 6-speed, you can have a 5-speed plus an overdrive/gear splitter. A 10-speed beats a 6-speed all day long.



I wish I could get my wife to clean anything on my truck. Most times she won't even clean her own car.



Loren

 

[hsmith]

If you go with the Gear Vendors, you will only have nine gears as it will not work below 20mph. Also never use the GV for braking. I always shift to direct before slowing down.