How bad are Getrags?

[ESteiger]

So im looking at a really clean 92 4x4 with 242k on it with the 5 speed Getrag, i heard they are really crappy and im wonering #1 what's so bad about them, and #2 how hard is it to swap for the nv4500? I have always had 2nd gen 24valves so the 1st gen. 12 valves are kind of a mystery to me. any advice is greatly appreciated, and if you wanted to give me your two cents on the rig id love that too:



1992 Dodge Truck SLT 1 Ton Diesel 4X4 w/Extrasþ

 

[MMeier]

Truck looks great... for a regular cab. I would offer say 6k and see how they respond. I got 158k out of my Getrag before it started making some hideous noises. Converted to a 4500 from Blumenthals, nice smooth swap, ran about 2500 for parts IIRC, after core charge and all.

 

[ESteiger]

ya i actually talked to him about that before and he said 6200 was lowest and then i offered 6 and he agreed. i know the guy to and its just been babied, im thinking in the future i would definently do the 4500 conversion. do you know anything else i should check on these early CTD's?

 

[glhs]

It is a decent transmission.

The problem is the bearings are a bit small.

Guys that tow often or heavy will need to replace the bearings every 60,000-100,000 miles or so.

When used for light duty or short trips they can go 2-300,000 between rebuilds.

Run the oil 1-2 quarts over the recommended amount helps.

 

[ESteiger]

ok that helps alot thanks, i was wondering, do i have to worry about the KDP with this 92? i had to do it to my old 97, just curious,

thanks

 

[MMeier]

ya i actually talked to him about that before and he said 6200 was lowest and then i offered 6 and he agreed. i know the guy to and its just been babied, im thinking in the future i would definently do the 4500 conversion. do you know anything else i should check on these early CTD's?

They all will eventually get what are known as "cowl cracks", do a search, been covered here before. My current '93 is not too bad, more noticeable in colder weather then warm/ hot. Outside of that, I actually enjoy driving my '93 more then the '03 !!

 

[MMeier]

ok that helps alot thanks, i was wondering, do i have to worry about the KDP with this 92? i had to do it to my old 97, just curious,

thanks

That also, get it done for the peace of mind it brings! I always put a Borgeson steering shaft in my first gens too.

 

[SRadke]

If you've been dealing with VP44's you're taking a step up in reliability buying a getrag! lol. That truck should sell for 4-5k IMHO.

-Scott

 

[ESteiger]

That also, get it done for the peace of mind it brings! I always put a Borgeson steering shaft in my first gens too.

ok thanks, ya i wasnt sure but now i know im going to have some work to do. I had an 01 that i just sold for 13k because it had too many mods and things were starting to go wrong. so now im just looking for a clean truck and i wanted to stick with a newer one, but this thing is too clean too pass up, not to mention rare and full of character

 

[mysteryman]

getrag 360

There is nothing wrong with the Getrag G360 ! You are better off with it than doing a swap to a 4500 ! I have written quite a bit on the subject in years past. . Look up my old posts for more on the subject... If you still need help or have questions after reading them. Give me a call... . ///MM

So im looking at a really clean 92 4x4 with 242k on it with the 5 speed Getrag, i heard they are really crappy and im wonering #1 what's so bad about them, and #2 how hard is it to swap for the nv4500? I have always had 2nd gen 24valves so the 1st gen. 12 valves are kind of a mystery to me. any advice is greatly appreciated, and if you wanted to give me your two cents on the rig id love that too:



1992 Dodge Truck SLT 1 Ton Diesel 4X4 w/Extrasþ

 

[JLEONARD]

I think the Getrag is ok. I got 200 K out of mine and it was still fine, but I was 2 wd and wasn't powered up all that much and rarely towed. Plus I shifted it like I wanted it to last forever.

 

[Mel Fuelling]

Mysteryman,

OTT, Were you able to get 1st gen 2wd suspension parts made up? Air ride?

Back on topic, my work truck just went over 300k with a Getrag overfilled 1 1/2 qts,

dry, no vent leaks, terrific transmission especially after I installed a South Bend clutch with

the big roller pilot bearing. Wow, what a difference.

 

[HCannon]

I know, the 4500 is suppose to be better than the Gatrag but the 4500 gives me more problems. If it quit I would just rebuild it. Keep fresh oil and over full. By the way, that is a keeper truck!!

 

[ESteiger]

its pretty rad, definently different than what im used to with the the 2nd gen but im looking forward to it, im just going to check for cowl cracks next time i see the sucker

 

[sdstriper]

Decent looking truck. I wouldn't swap out the Getrag because you heard they were bad... If you really look into it you'll find it is a beefier unit than the 4500 and the 4500 had just as many issues.



If you can see the cowl cracks without removing the front clip you better let us know how...

 

[dpuckett]

I like the Getrags, and can rebuild 6 of them for the price of a conversion. Say, a conservative life to overhaul of 150K mi, and it'll last til I sell the truck at my current 20K per year. Keep the oil AND THE RPMs up, and it will last longer than the NV4500. Plus, you can put plain oil in it, not the liquid gold Castrol syntorq (what, $60/gal?) the NV4500 takes. Make sure you put engine oil in the Getrag.



As for those towing heavy (15K+ GCVW), 100K is a good interval to check the bearings in it, even if it isnt making any noise. If it needs work do it. If not, reinstall it and go another 100. I put 30K on a Getrag I rebuilt in 06, and so far, no problems with it. Had another truck with 200K on the Getrag, and it was in good shape.



I'd buy the truck if I were you, and the two of you can agree on a price. Not many that clean anymore. I'd drive it, even if it is a regular cab.



Daniel

 

[PToombs]

Yup, Getrags are good trannys. I have 210k on mine, never been apart. It's been moddd the last 10k too.

Definitely check the KDP, and remove the bolts inside the case and clean and loctite them back in. On the 1st gens the bolts are worse than the KDP.