Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) New Truck?? NV4500?

[jmarx82]

I have been thinking about upgrading/replacing my current truck with a slightly newer one. I still want to stick with a second gen. but I would like an 01 or 02 truck w/o rust. I finally found one that was in good shape and the guy did not want some outragous price for it, but it has a NV4500. I have been searching for about 2 hours and all I found was how good the NV5600 is. I know either one is better than the 47RE in my current truck, but will I be happy with a 4500 or should I hold out for a 5600. Thanks.

 

[DPike]

I have a 5 speed and my dad has a 6 speed. The 5 speed shifts a lot nicer, and requires less fluid changes. The only real common problem is losing 5th gear, which is not that big of deal. 6 speeds have plenty of problems of their own, and isn't really that much of an advantage, except if you are towing really heavy in the 20-40 mph range and want to get into the next gear a couple seconds faster. I wouldn't let the 5 speed stop you.

 

[SRay]

The 5 speed is cheaper when it's time to rebuild. I had considered a nv5600 but the cost of buying or rebuilding one stopped me when I was converting my 1997 CTD auto over to manual.



There are larger gaps between gears in the 5 speed but that hasn't caused me any problems hauling 26,000 lbs gross weight.



Shawn

 

[jmarx82]

Thanks for the input. I was looking at putting some 100-150 sticks in it along with a turbo upgrade and a mild tuner. This is probably the furthest I will go has far has power. I tow 4,000 lbs on a regular basis(which is nothing) and tow around 14k to 16k a couple times a year. I will also hook to a sled about 2-4 times a year. Do you guys see any problems with this?

 

[SRay]

Should be no problem at all. Just use a high quality gear oil that's been mentioned in some posts already. Also overfill by a liter or 2 to help keep things lubricated.



I use Swepco 80w-90 gear oil in my transmission and love it a lot. This oil is limited in dealer distribution so whatever oil TDR members think is the best should also work very well.



I tow heavy loads quite a bit, run many dyno pulls, sled pulling, and drag racing. The only thing that has failed was my stock clutch which blew to pieces. While transmission was out for clutch replacement, it was opened and inspected for shaft play etc, and all was still good and tight. Even the 5th gear was solid.



Scott Vorhees' 1997 Big Bad Dodge sled puller ran a nv4500 with almost 1,000 hp. These trannies have got to be reliable enough for Scott to win many first, second places etc as they have to collect points over the pulling season.



The nv5600 is a good transmission and can be made reliable as well with good oil and overfilling too.



For me the nv4500 just cost less and worked fine.



Shawn

 

[jgillott]

Thanks for the input. I was looking at putting some 100-150 sticks in it along with a turbo upgrade and a mild tuner. This is probably the furthest I will go has far has power. I tow 4,000 lbs on a regular basis(which is nothing) and tow around 14k to 16k a couple times a year. I will also hook to a sled about 2-4 times a year. Do you guys see any problems with this?

My favorite truck to date was my '01 that I owned from 2000-2007. It was an NV-4500. Many of us competed for years on those NV-4500's. A good clutch with an upgraded input shaft and those things would take about anything you could throw at them. Mine was literally down the track hundreds of times. And of all the parts I broke, the trans was not one of them.



If you are going to be towing heavy all the time, the extra gear in the NV-5600 would be nice. For what you are describing, the good old 4500 will fit the bill just fine.

 

[Nyoest]

Don't let the 5 spd slow you down a bit. The 6spd is great for monster loads but the 5 spd does nicely as well. When my 96 needed a trans I stayed with the 5 spd and used the money I would have spent Ina six speed conversion to make a few more horse.

Rember back when a four speed was a big deal? Man we've come a long way!

 

[Cowboy]

after owning 2 '02 HO 3500 6 speeds, I now own a '01 2500 nv4500 you WILL like the way it shifts! (much smoother)

 

[dclassens]

agree... ... I have owned both and had the 5 speed first. I thought the 6 speed would be an improvement. I was wrong. I like the 5 speed much better and would probably only buy a stick truck if it were a 5 speed.

 

[jmarx82]

Thanks for the replys, this made my decsision a lot easier. I am picking the truck up tommorrow.

 

[SRay]

Jmarx82: What power level you looking for with the 100-150 sticks?



Shawn

 

[jmarx82]

I am not really looking for a certain power level. I am not tring to build a 500+hp monster, but just a little more to make it a little more fun to drive and be a little more competive at the track. My freind has 100hp sticks in his 01 with quad tuning and I love how resposive it is. Even with the tuner off. I ran the RV275's in my 99 and I did not think it made that much difference.

 

[darkhorse]

I've run both 5 & 6 speeds. Personally, I like the 6 better for the gear choices on steep slow grades. I've never had trouble shifting either one.

 

[NIsaacs]

For towing, it's hard to beat the 6 spd, but if you run on the track, the 5 spd would be better. The 275's are nothing to brag about as a stand alone upgrade, but with an Edge EZ or something simular, they really wake up.



With my setup on the dyno, it pulls 335 hp and 852 tq. nothing spectacular running empty but with a load it works good. This is usable power. I can pull 6 % grades in 100 degree heat with 22-23 k and never back out of it.



I run 17 mpg in the winter and 20 in the summer as a daily driver on 65 mph highways. It will use more on the freeway at 75.



Nick

 

[jeepit]

I'm with Darkhorse. My 6 speed has been reliable and I am not opposed to changing the fluid more often. Just a maintenance thing is all.