Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Fifth gear fixes

[AWallace]

I know there has been a lot of input on this problem but here goes. My truck is a 95 and has 70000 on it now and is used mostly for pulling a 9000 lb RV and also for a 2000 lb TC. I know I am getting close to the mileage when everyone has had problems with this gear. I have read about the fully splined mainshaft and gear and about the Torque King gear sets. Has anyone used one or both of these fixes and which one is the best. The torgue King uses the NV4500 main shaft but a different gear setup from what I have read.

 

[Dick R]

5th gear repair

I know I will get some adverse feed back on this but my repair goes as follows , I lost the nut on a camping trip of coarse losing fifth gear , I know the proper repair is new shaft & gear , nut & seals and a lot of money which is in short supply , I did what a lot of owners are doing here in Wisc , replaced the gear & using the best nut , set screws and everything but I just didn't trust it after reading the forum so I got out my arc welder , bought a specail rod and put in three good welds from the nut onto the shaft , I know some people claim the shaft will fracture but I have put on at least 30,000 miles and a lot of it pulling RV double bottom behind a fifth wheel camper and it is holding no broken shaft or anything , but you have to do what ever fits your needs , this worked for me and a lot of other Dodge owner . my tow cents

 

[kentdiesel]

What does a torque king gear set consist of and who sells it?

Thanks in advance,

Kent

 

[DTroy]

I bought the big Momma rebuild kit from Quad4x4. I have the fully splined mainshaft with the slip fit fifth gear.

The Torque King is an even better set-up. But it wasn't available for me at the time.



If I were in the boonies and broken down I would weld the gear too. But replacing the factory set-up with a new and improved model is definitely the way to go.



The problem with simply replacing the nut after a failure is that the splines have already taken a beating. I have an old mainshaft that serves as a very good example. I just don't have a good digital camera to show you.



I have to rebuild a buddies NV this weekend. If I can get some good pics I'll post them.



Any questions, just ask.

 

[KWentling]

I had Dan put the Torque King in mine and it uses his own design of a mainshaft. Look on his website (quad4x4.com) and it will show his set up. My 5th was still on at 94K, but the splines were sloppy and it was just matter of time. I believe his is the best set up because it does not rely on the splines only to radially support the gear. The gear is counterbored on both sides and there are corresponding fits on the shaft and nut that support the gear. Dan can tell you all about welded shafts.



Kim

 

[redram]

I know there has been a lot of input on this problem but here goes. My truck is a 95 and has 70000 on it now and is used mostly for pulling a 9000 lb RV and also for a 2000 lb TC. I know I am getting close to the mileage when everyone has had problems with this gear. I have read about the fully splined mainshaft and gear and about the Torque King gear sets. Has anyone used one or both of these fixes and which one is the best. The torgue King uses the NV4500 main shaft but a different gear setup from what I have read.

AWallace - Not everyone has the 5th gear nut back off! I have a 96 and am at 194,000 without any problems but I also don't lug the truck in 5th gear. When it gets below 1800-1700 rpm (with stock tires and 3. 55 rear gear) I down shift and use 4th.

If you're bombed with more torque or have a habit of trying to pull from 1300 rpm in 5th - you're putting more strain the weak link in the NV4500. If you don't do that - you could go another 200,000 before you had a nut problem. If only the nut starts to back off, you're usually not dead in the water as you still have 1-4th to get you home or to a shop.

Replacing the main shaft can be expensive to get an upgraded fully splined shaft.



JMHO

 

[AWallace]

I hope I have good luck with my fifth gear as you have. My truck is all stock no mods. I try not to lug in fifth. I all ways try to prepare for the worse and hope for the best. The truck is used mostly for hauling the TC and pulling the fifth wheel. It does a good job with both campers as is except when I hit a long grade with the fifth wheel then I have to start swapping some gears. I drive it some every week and use it some for other trips to keep every thing working good. If you don't used it you lose it.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I have had good results with www.standardtransmission.com 800-std-tran

 

[GBlaksley]

My fifth gear just fell off for the second time. Last time was 4 years and 70,000 miles ago. It was fixed the first time with a new gear and updated nut with a setscrew. I do pull a 34 foot fifth wheel, so I guess it gets worked out. I think this time I'm going to go with a rebuilt transmission. Am leaning towards standard transmission, out of Ft.

Worth, TX. Anybody have any input on them? I see Joe Donnelly approves of them.



Thanks.

 

[GBlaksley]

By the way, does any one have a clue how to put your truck info into your signature?