Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 4500 lube

[MMeier]

Haven't had a 4500 in almost 6 years now, what are you people using for lube in them nowadays? TIA!! Should be getting the '93 back later today or tomorrow after replacing the getrag with a 4500!

 

[RAndrae]

syntorq or there is now a amsoil syntorq replacement that is specificaly for 4500's

 

[MMeier]

The place I got the 4500 is telling me to use a decent 75-90, sound right? I thought that was going to be kinda thick for a 4500.

 

[RAndrae]

It is a 75-90 but it has to be a specific GL rating (i think gl 4) I have tried different lubes, as many here have. Some have had good luck with various brands but I have found that the syntorq is best. Now amsoil has a oil the says right on the bottle "for NV4500 transmissions".

 

[Missouri Mule]

At around 175,000 to 185,000 (11 years) I changed my fluid in my 4500. I used Amsoil 75w-90, GL-4, Manual transmission and Transaxle Gear Lube seems to be doing fine maybe I'll change it a little more often.

 

[SRath]

My understanding is that the problem with using any oil not specifically formulated for the NV4500, even a high quality synthetic, is the carbon fiber synchros. They require a special formulation.



If Amsoil is now making a gear lube rated specifically for the NV4500/5600, you can bet it is the best on the market. They would not make an inferior oil, compared to anyone's, and have the track record to back that claim up.

 

[DValentine]

MM, I just -6000 miles ago, changed oil in a new to me 98. I found Redline oil (GL-4) at O'Rileys. They as a company didn't carry it anymore but the guys had some ordered in. I use a mix of MTL and MT-90. It shifted better than what was in it prior to the change.

 

[surfbeetle]

Royal Purple is what I have been using

 

[WDixon27]

i've been running royal purple 75/90 for a couple years and it did wonders over the crap it had in it when i bought the truck, no more crunch when shifting, i think the issue with using gl4 is other lubes can release sulphur during high heat conditions and that eats away at the bronze syncro's, from what i have read some trannys seem to have a prefrence for lube too, some only like the syntorq they came with, some like royal purple, some like amsoil and some like redline

 

[cro-magnum]

I was told the same thing as SRath it has to do with the synchros. In my opinion I would rather spend the money for the oil GM or Dodge put in them originally. (GM#12346190) It cost me about $130 just for the oil but that oils good for a ling time. I've herd of over 200,000 on an oil change with no problems. I was also told by my transmission guy that the carbon fiber synchros is a huge part of why the NV4500 is such a durable trans. How many times has a trans been rebuilt due to synchros?

Considering the cost of your convertion, your savings on the oil ($70 or so) is around 5% the total cost

 

[cro-magnum]

I just looked at Geno's, They say the gl4 ruduces the amount of sulfer when hot over gl5. The sulfer attacks the soft metal in the trans. Also I'm not sure if they have bronze or carbon fiber composit synchros. NV5600 has one and NV4500 has the other. I managed to confuse myself on the subject again. Genos says GM#12346191 but it says on my trans GM12346190.

 

[JBrookshire]

I would not use gear oil.

Not to scare any one, But I have royale purple in mine and had it over filled a Qt and It has been doing good. But I just drove it to key west from ohio to pick up a boat. On the way back Some how the gear oil got hot and boiled out the top and needless to say I have a bad transmission. I am not sure All what happen but when I get this thing fixed it will have the rite stuff in it with coolers and a temp guage. Just my experience. Justin

 

[R C Cola]

Which Oil ?

I just drained out the GM number reccomended by the factory (at 150K) and it still looked good. Replaced with Redline MT 90 since reading threads here so I hope it works out ok. This is the first transmission I have had last past 110K so we will see.

 

[steved]

My dad has over 180k on Pennzoil 75w90 synthetic... he has 280k on the truck.



When it comes time for the next change, it will be RP 75w90... I've had excellent results with RP in my differentials...



Fyi, most gears oils are GL-4 compliant... that is a antiquated hold over from yesteryears when oils were corrosive due to free sulfur. They bind the corrosive sulfur into compounds to eliminate the reaction between it and yellow metals.

 

[SRehberg]

I see the comment about the coolers for the trans; is there enough cooling from the add on side coolers to warrant the cost? Any actual measurements with and without the coolers? I am above GVWR and a trailer in tow so if the coolers are a plus they would be worth it. Thanks. By the way I use Amsoil MTG for the NV4500 and seems to work great.

 

[R C Cola]

Coolers worth it

You will notice in my post above with coolers installed, this is the first time I have had a transmission go over 110k and the coolers is the only thing that is differant from before. I am loaded about 60% of the time. My transmission guy says with a good oil Heat is the only enemy other than the" nut behind the wheel "

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

In Issue 33 (IIRC) I reported dyno coast-down testing for drag, and noted the rate of temperature increase with different lubricants in the NV4500. The only lube among those I tested that performed as well as Castrol Syntorq in those tests was Torco RTF. I liked it so well in my NV4500 that I tried it in the NV5600 years later, and still use it in both transmissions.

 

[Dave M]

I replaced my clutch in my NV4500 in December and put a synthetic Vavoline 75-90W GL5 recommended by my NAPA. Bad idea... . the transmission was shifting hard and someone on a thread educated me on the the correct fluid to use.



Here is a description from DodgeRam.org of the NV4500 requirements and includes the tests "Joseph Donnelly" refererred to regarding use of Torco RTF as acceptable fluid:



Ram NV4500 Specifications



Here is an exerpt from that page:

The NV-4500 calls for an GL-4 oil. A GL-4 oil has about 1/2 the sulfur/phoshphorus anti wear additive as a GL-5 does. The LE 607 is a GL-5. NV Gear is asking for a lesser amount of sulfur/phoshphorus becasue of the possibility of the sulfur attacking the light metals in the transmission. Because yellow metals are primarily attacked at high temperatures, systhetic GL-5 oils may not pose a problem due to their lower operating temperatures. Many are using synthetic alternatives to the recommended Castrol oil, whether or not you should is a decision that you should based on your own research.

Here is more info on the NV4500 from quad 4x4:



NV4500FAQ

What lubricant should I use and were can I get it?



Castrol Syntorq LT® 75w85w GL-4 rated, low temperature, synthetic gear lubricant is the only factory approved lubricant for NV4500 series transmissions. Some other lubricant manufacturers such as Amsoil may have products that are compatible. However, we have yet to see any other lubricant match the specifications of Syntorq LT®.



Castrol Syntorq LT® is available in quart bottles from Dodge dealers (p/n 4874459) and GM dealers (p/n 12346190). Castrol distributors offer factory sealed 16 gallon drums, plus some repackage the oil in 5 gallon pails. We sell Syntorq LT® in two quart jugs.

I drained out the Valvoline and replaced it with the Castrol Syntorq from Quad 4X4 since it was cheaper from them then dealer.



Dave

 

[Dave M]

Here is a thread where I found out about using the wrong fluid in my transmission (look at post 34 and 36 and 38):



Need new clutch which one to get?? - Page 3 - Dodge Diesel - Diesel Truck Resource Forums



Be carefull what fluid you use in the NV4500!



Dave