93 Getrag------junk!

[Racer Brown]

Heh! Well, it finally happened. I towed the race car to NC last weekend for the first time and on the way back, the Junkrag transmission started raising hell, pardon my French! Seems as though the rear bearing has taken a dump. I ordered the bearing and seal kit from Standard today, along with syncronizers and a 1-2 shifter fork, and they'll be here on Tuesday. So, while I've got the transmission out, I'm going to put a clutch kit in it also. I don't want to be doing this again any time soon. There goes the injectors and turbo housing $$$

I had an interesting conversation with Mike, at Standard concerning these transmissions. He tells me that the factory doesn't recommend towing in 5th gear? Well, If I don't use 5th and try to run 70 mph in 4th, the engine would be running against the governor and to be honest, I don't think it'll run that fast in 4th with 4:10 gears in the rear. So, what's a guy to do? Not only that, but he also tells me that the engine is already overpowering the Getrag without any modifications. So, I guess when I change the turbo housing and injectors, I'll be changing transmission parts on a regular basis. Think I'm starting to regret buying this truck. I've towed this same trailer for 7 years with a half ton Chevy and never had this kind of problem and that truck still has the orignal universal joints in the driveshaft at 228,586 miles! Factory ball joints, tie rods, steering, rear end, etc still there? The transmission was overhauled at 145k and the engine at 165k. Doesn't look as though the Dodge is going to hold up that well as it only has 79,000 on it now... :-( Yeah, I'll have a little cheese to go with this whine! ... ... ... bad week!
With all this work and parts, the $13,750 price I paid for this truck isn't sounding like such a good deal after all! See Ya!... ... ... ... ... . the Racer

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Ken-1993 W350, Cummins TD, 5 Speed, 4X4, Club Cab, LE, K&N, Straight Pipe.
http://users. lynchburg.net/ken0069

 

[David Phipps/Mike Hurd]

Ken, sorry to hear that. I've never been a big fan of the gettrash slush box. `I had Quad 4x4 in Mt replace it with a nv4500 Best $ I ever spent on my ol 92. Mike

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http://hometown. aol.com/hotshothauler/myhomepage/business.html 2000, Air brakes on truck & trailer. 179,000 miles todate. DOT custom built sleeper unit. pulling a 40' G/N flatbed
2000 FL-70 Pulling a 48' low boy.

 

[drives mopars]

me too went to the 4500 cost at lot

but worth it if keeping the truck

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1993 w350 ex cab, banks,nv 4500 in
open exaust, pw Injectors are in. Big rig flaps,tach in,. Its loud and goes ok, for a 93,Ham radio Call KK6dm
has ability to communicate any where in the world. Headliner shelf
5 antenna's

 

[Big Don]

Racer Brown,
I hate to hear about your Getrag. Alot of folks claim they are junk. At 165 K mine is still hangin' in there and she is really overpowered. I haven't had any problems so far. I think a big problem with them is the fluid level and the type of fluid. Have you checked changed the fluid or know what type is in it?? I run amsoil 5w30. I'd recommend any synthetic 5w30. Alot of folks think they need a heavier oil to get carried up to the 5th gear shaft; this is simply not true. As for 5th gear, chrysler sent me a letter in about 1990 stating in very vague terms "do not tow excessively heavy loads in fifth gear". What the heck is an excessively heavy load??? We have towed 12-14,000 lbs. behind ours for 12 years and when we hit "the Big Road" it's 5th gear and hammer down. She may fly apart tomorrow, but if so, we've had some memories and I'll just replace her. I'll probably go with a NV4500, but they have alot of problems.


later
Don



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Ol' Blue "First of the first gens: 1989 D 250 Ice blue met. 5 spd 3. 54, 155,000, Banks stage III powerpack, 3. 5" straight exhaust, pump adjustments, "'Ol Blue Special" injectors.
1999 3500 4x4 Chassis cab Emerald green ISB 5 spd 4. 10 K&N Filter straight exhaust 9 ft flatbed WARN fenderflares,Let, 275hp injectors installed, boost and pyro gages, VA plug'n power and Practical Solutions boost module. Jacobs E brake. Getting ready to install Banks Power Pack TLC!!
May buy another one in 2009!!
Check us out at:
http://donstractorrepair. homestead.com

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Racer Brown
Although I too replaced my getrash with an NV4500HD mine is a 4X2. I had my Getrash rebuilt and 2 months later went to the NV. I bought mine from Quad 4X4 in Roberts Mt just like Mike & Dave. If you go that route you will see a major difference - much quieter and better trans. The total price tag if you do the work should be under $3500. If you decide to go the NV route email me and I will send you Quad 4X4s number.
Happier Trails
Bob

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1993 250 4X2 - Banks Power Pack, BD Power Injectors, K&N Air Filter, 6 gauges and tweaked pump. 27lbs boost unloaded.
Horton fan & NV4500 5 speed.

 

[Sled Puller]

If you are considering the NV 4500, direct your questions to, www.enterpriseengine.com East of Columbus, Ohio.
They keep new and used on stock, and are not too far away from you.
gene

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1997 Cummins Dodge 4x4 Bombed & Amsoiled. Amsoil Premiere Direct Jobber, Member of: NRA Business Alliance, GLTDR, WANTED: Wrecked Dodges.
www.awdist.com

 

[Archive]

I too replaced my Getrag with a NV4500. To date, zero problems.
I will say however, that the blame for the Getrag failures is somewhat misplaced. Getrag makes an excellent (German-made) gearbox, but not one that is capable of handling the torgue spikes of a diesel engine. If blame is to be placed anywhere, it can rest squarely on the shoulders of Chrysler, as they specified a medium duty gearbox for a very heavy duty application. IMHO, the Getrag would be fine for a V-8 gasoline set-up, but with a Cummins engine, it spells disaster.
Just my $. 02 worth.

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'93 W250 CC, 4X4, 3. 54 Gearing, NV4500 5sp,
16cm2 Turbo Housing, Pacbrake, Amsoil Bumper
To Bumper W/Bypass, Boost/Pyro/Oil Temp Gauges,
3. 5" Exhaust, HP Injectors, K&N Filter, Hella
Lights, Icom 2 Meter and Uniden CB Radios.

 

[DJP]

I agree with Big Don 100% on the Getrag. If you don't read the owner's manual and service these transmissions with the proper weight oil you are going to have problems. I have over 216,000 miles on mine, and to be quite honest, this transmission has not given me any trouble except for day I purchased the truck (used). The previous owner had it serviced with gear oil. The transmission would shift horribly, and would grind gears when I shifted, especially when cold. I drained the gear oil, and serviced it with 5W-30 Valvoline synthetic. I was generous with the oil and over serviced it slightly above the fill port.
That was almost six years and 125,000 miles ago, and the only thing I have done to the transmission was drain and reservice the oil about 15,000 miles ago. I did do a clutch once, at 160,000 miles, but I don't consider that transmission related.

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89 D-250 LE 5 speed 3. 55 Limited slip, Banks Intercooler, 'Ol Blue Specials, K&N, Full Boar Muffler, 3" exhaust, Diesel Dynamics Stage 1 kit, Boost/Pyro. & 16cm2 215K miles.

 

[unclebilly]

This will solve your problem...
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=571078798

It's a rebuilt NV4500 on ebay - I came across this, maybe someone is interested?

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91. 5 CTD 4X4, 5" Stacks, Tweaked Pump, 33" Boots (in the summer), Unlimited Slip,
<P><B><A Big, Bad Dodge

 

[Desperado]

Racer Brown,
Talk to the BOY'S at Standard Transmission and Gear they have the NV4500 in stock with the full spline 5th gear, if I rember right they put out a kit to put it in the pre 1994 pick-ups. They may even beat the price of the compition.


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95 Ram 2500 slight ENHANCEMENTS!! DEAD CAT, Boost and EGT gauge set, 5 SP, 4x4 trans filter from geno's

 

[Desperado]

Racer Brown,
I just went to Standard Transmission's web page and as I thoght the NV4500 for a 1994 thru 1999 sells for $1650 plus $400 for the core and about $75 for shipping, don't know what the kit runs. Good Luck.

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95 Ram 2500 slight ENHANCEMENTS!! DEAD CAT, Boost and EGT gauge set, 5 SP, 4x4 trans filter from geno's

 

[David Phipps/Mike Hurd]

I almost went with std. transmission. but I elected to go with a brand new unit. I hate rebuilt stuff. Bob B. who posted above can give you a price on the Quad 4x4 price shipped I had Dan in Mt replace mine with a new clutch assy as well and it was $ 3800. 00 but this included servicing the rear as well. cutting the driveshaft etc. I seriously think the 5th gear nut problem is overblown I pulled 36,000 on a daily basis w/o any problems at all. Just my overall thoughts. BTW, I traveled from Fla to Roberts, Mt just for this swap. G/N trailer in tow. Loaded in Billings to Ala back so it was not too bad as I was loaded coming back south. Mike

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http://hometown. aol.com/hotshothauler/myhomepage/business.html 2000, Air brakes on truck & trailer. 179,000 miles todate. DOT custom built sleeper unit. pulling a 40' G/N flatbed
2000 FL-70 Pulling a 48' low boy.

[This message has been edited by David Phipps/Mike Hurd (edited 03-19-2001). ]

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Racer Brown
You can't just swap a Getrag for a NV4500HD. You will need to replace the bell housing and the sleeve covering the input shaft has to be shortened to allow the clutch to work. Quad 4X4's kit comes with everything you will need. As I understand it it is a fairly easy bolt up for the 4X4's. They will also send you a video to help you install the transmission.
Good Luck
Happy Trails

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1993 250 4X2 - Banks Power Pack, BD Power Injectors, K&N Air Filter, 6 gauges and tweaked pump. 27lbs boost unloaded.
Horton fan & NV4500 5 speed.

 

[Racer Brown]

Thanks to all for the information. Here's where I stand to this point. I talked to Mike at Standard and ordered the parts to fix this junk, this time. I'm also going to replace the clutch assy. too, along with the pilot bearing, which is shot. Mike also suggested that I replace the 1-2 shifter fork because of the occasional first gear jumpout that I've been having. All the parts in the transmission look good except for the rear bearing, next to 5th gear, which was shot.
I've found an NV4500 out of a 98 wreck with the input shaft bent on the very end. I think I can get that one "cheap". Mike says he has that shaft for under a "C" note. I'll run this junk until it screws up again, then it's history!
Again, thanks for all the help. Don't know what I'd do without the group!

See Ya!... ... ... ... The Racer

PS, I'm still going to change the turbo housing and injectiors. Screw it! Let's see how much this junk can take! #ad


PSS, Oh, and the cheese was good. #ad


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Ken-1993 W350, Cummins TD, 5 Speed, 4X4, Club Cab, LE, K&N, Straight Pipe.
http://users. lynchburg.net/ken0069

 

[Old Nordby]

Question on the 5w-30 oil going in these things - all 5w-30 synthetic oil I can see in here is Motor oil.

I am assuming that is what we are talking about putting in these 5spd Getrag transmissions (1992, 155K miles, 2wd).

Thanks, Jon

 

[unclebilly]

Yup, motor oil - synthetic stuff.

 

[Old Nordby]

Thanks sir - out with the bad stuff in with the good!

 

[Racer Brown]

Say Nordby, How long has the "bad stuff" (I'm assuming it's 90w gear oil) been in that Getrash anyway? I'd be interested in how long they will function with the "wrong" oil in them. With 155k on the clock, I'd be cautious in changing anything if it ain't broke!!!! I don't like to fix stuff that ain't broke... . #ad


Racer

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Ken-1993 W350, Cummins TD, 5 Speed, 4X4, Club Cab, LE, K&N, Straight Pipe.
http://users. lynchburg.net/ken0069

 

[Old Nordby]

Hi Racer,

There is 155K on this truck, and according to the 2nd owner (I am the third), the transmission was replaced at 60K by an inept dealer that could not find a vibration problem that was found somewhere else.

So, all I have to go on is that the transmission has about 100K on it. It has the 4th gear growl, but otherwise no issues. Normally I agree with the "ain't broke don't fix it", but from what I have been reading in here it seems that these Getrags respond well to preventative measures, and they are known to grenade in many cases without them.

I'm guessing driving style and towing will mean more than adding the 5w-30 synthetic, but dang if that growl does not seem quieter than it did prior to the synthetic.

Other opinions? Too late for me as I have made the swap, but adding to the knowledge here might certainly help a fellow tdr member!
jon.

 

[MAX A/C]

Hey ya'll, when changing the oil in the Getrag, make sure the 5W-30 you use meets the specs SG or SG/CD. This is right out of the owner's manual, and I'm sure all synthetics will meet or exceed this. Just thought I'd throw out the caveat.

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'93 W250 Club Cab, 5 spd, 3. 54, stock engine, 95K miles