Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) changes in the nv 4500

[Venema]

I have tried searching though the discussion forums to know what is the difference in the nv 4500 though the years I believe that a 1994 nv4500 is different than the one for 95 though 97 and in 98 they made another change in them. The reason that I asked is that we have a 94 that is going to be needing a rebuild in the near future and we have a 98 that is not right in the top cover since that bottom has been rebuilt in the last 10,000 miles and the transmission shop took the top off and swapped it on the rebuilt transmission. We were just wondering if we could buy a transmission out of a savage truck to fix both of our trucks with just one transmission.

 

[Grizzly]

I had a 95 with the NV4500. I was under the impression that all NV4500's were the same and all had the infamous 5th gear nut problem, my 95 didn't however.



Welcome to TDR, george

 

[BBeckmann]

I've dealt with a few of em and the main difference is the top cover changed from a bottle style to a bolt on cover in 98. I have a '01 trans in my 97 and only had to change the rear 5th gear extension housing because the 4wd shifter bolts to the side of the trans in the earlier trucks and to the bottom of the cab in the newer trucks...

 

[GAmes]

Besidesthe roundtop/square top shifter, the '98s and newer do not have a provision in the tail shaft for the speed sensor on the 2WD transmissions.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Changes to the NV4500 during its years of use were described with photos in Issue 31, p. 23. Fifth gear retention systems varied among the brands; for example, Chevrolet transmissions used a different system from the nut used in Dodge Turbo Diesels. The shift tower/top cover changed in 1998, and so did the reverse gears and ratio (from 5. 61 to 5. 03 to 1).

 

[Venema]

we replaced the shift tower with New Venture Part # 25982-KIT since the part that moves the forks was worn, after took it for a test drive and had a hard time finding reverse, is this caused by something in the top cover?

 

[SRadke]

The top covers will interchange throughout. They also has an early and late style countershaft, unsure of when that change was made.