Getrag Good/Bad

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Hey guys,

While we are still fighting this leaning truck issue I thought I ask about the getrag transmission. Mine has 130,000 miles with no problems. Are any of you having problems/ had problems? Has anyone done a transmission swap to NV4500? how about other 5,6 or 7 speed transmission swaps?

Thanks


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1989 d 250 Ice blue met. 5 spd 3. 54 Banks stage III powerpack straight exhaust
1999 3500 4x4 Chassis cab Emerald green ISB 5 spd 4. 10 K&N Filter straight exhaust 9 ft flatbedawaiting mods

 

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We have 3 of these in the family a 92 2x2, 92 4x4 and a 93 4x4 all Club Cab long box with 3. 54 gears and the 92's are doing great with no problems what so ever but the 93 is on it's 3rd transmission. 1st one was at 38,000 and was due to a miss aligned input shaft due to a bad case, 2nd one went out at 56,000 with multiple failures and the 3rd is still going with 80,000+ but is a little noisy. Don't understand what the problem is and the only thing I see different is the shift tower was changed in 93 which bent the shifter towards the driver.

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99 2500, QC, SLT, 4x4 ISB, 5sp, 3. 55sld, Infiniti am/fm/cd, HDTcase, NW Running Boards and Mud flaps, Draw-Tite Front Mount Receiver Hitch, Tekonsha Brake Control, SRW and Husky Liners.

 

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Big Don,

You're probably sick of hearing from me... so I will try to be short.
210,000 miles approx. Little noisy and the last two oil changes were a little sparkly. I hope it will last. . the boot at the top has a small crack that I glued, but now the vent is sticky and makes the seals leak when hot.
Happy Truckin'
Jason

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(Lil' Mack)-89 D250 2WD 5Spd 3. 55 Reg Cab. K&N, 3. 5" Exst, E&M Custom seats. Bosch H4 Lites

 

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Never get tired of hearing a fellow owner's opinion. Sounds like I should have nothing to worry about if you're at 210,000. Does yours still start run good/ mileage? Did you buy new?

Later

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1989 d 250 Ice blue met. 5 spd 3. 54 Banks stage III powerpack straight exhaust
1999 3500 4x4 Chassis cab Emerald green ISB 5 spd 4. 10 K&N Filter straight exhaust 9 ft flatbedawaiting mods

 

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I have a 1989 4x4 and pull a 5th wheeler. This truck is used only for this. It has no bobtail miles. I have rebuilt the Getrag in it at approx 80,000 miles. The weak point in the trans. seems to be the bearing area between the input and output shafts. I have tried several things in an effort to improve the life of the trans. I purchased the trans cooler advertised in issue 15 of TDR (coolman), also in the line to the cooler I installed an in line filter ( in line power steering filter), I am also using Castrol syntec 5w50 oil so as not to be too heavy to flow through the small orifices to feed bearings, also I installed a Gear Vendors unit to cut down on the use of 5th gear when pulling as I feel thit this contributed greatly to the need for an early rebuild. I also change this oil quite regularly. I certainly would be interested on any other tips. I too am interested on any information on installation of the 5600 trans. in an older truck.

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I did'nt buy new. I got it in Feb '95 with 150,000 Km (93,000 Mi). It had a 5th wheel in it, but I only haul a 16' tongue hitch holiday and a few horse trailers. Dropped the muffler and put in a 3. 5" pipe out the back, that made a difference.
Ever since I got it it starts with a flick of the ignition. Even at -40 sitting all day outside, not plugged in at the airport, she fires up on the first try. (try that with your 6. 2 #ad
). (on and aside. . Had to boost a Mercedes Diesel at the airport that day. He just shook his head as I heaved my bags in the cab and cranked 'er up. #ad
)
I get about 21-22 MPG as I use it to commute to work 85mi/day. The diff is new, front end we already talked about... . The electrical system is my new enemy. I'll have to post a question for you.
Big Don. . You can Email me direct if you want to yak #ad
.
Take care
Jason

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(Lil' Mack)-89 D250 2WD 5Spd 3. 55 Reg Cab. K&N, 3. 5" Exst, E&M Custom seats. Bosch H4 Lites

 

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My 92 has recently clocked 150k. The Getrag 5 spd box is original with an Eaton side cover and filter kit. The lube is Castrol 20 w 50, no noise, no leaks. This truck has a 16cm2 turbo, pump turned up, Banks exhaust, 305 85R 16 tires, 3. 54 gears, and 4wd. As this gets posted, I'm in the process of rebuilding the front drive shaft, (new C. V. joint assembly, with a new extended sliding spline, and new u-joint and yoke, all balanced). This unit hung in there pretty well for the mileage, and is the first real component to be rebuilt. Good to hear about your 1st Gen. trucks. Long may you run.

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92cum'ns 5spd 4wd all possible mods. to void warranty.

 

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Hey Big Donmy truck is about to turn 100 k and Ive had no problems with my Getrag,Its a little notchy first to second in the morning but shifted slowly it does fine. The one big advantage of the 4500 is the first gear ratio 5. 6 compared to 3. 6. Ive read that the 4500 like the Getrag is weak in fifth gear when towing. But there are good and bad points on both 5 speeds. although the 4500 is cheaper to rebuild.

 

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I have been told that the Getrag was a piece of crap. Could not be more wrong. I sold my 91 5-speed with 270,000 miles on it. The transmission never had a problem, I never put a clutch it, I only changed the oil once, I almost never used the clutch after taking off. The transmission was still tight in every gear, (if you put it in gear and moved it side to side it did not have any play). Believe me I did not baby this thing, it pulled all the time, was prone to laying black marks on the pavement and puffing smoke in the faces of phorwd drivers while i passed them. They are good transmissions.

 

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CHACE: Right on.

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92cum'ns 5spd 4wd all possible mods. to void warranty.

 

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A little info a buddy told me was that these transmissions have the input shaft bearing fail. The fix is to fill the transmission a 1/2 quart over full to get enough splash up to that shaft. Since I got the truck I have done it that way. I really don't know if it helps but I don't do any really heavy hauling. I mostly bob-tail to work every day and haul on the weekend.


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(Lil' Mack)-89 D250 2WD 5Spd 3. 55 Reg Cab. K&N, 3. 5" Exst, E&M Custom seats. Bosch H4 Lites

 

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I just changed the oil in my Getrag, I blended Havoline 30wt and 5w30 aimsoil to thin it on those cold mornings. The only complaint I have is the low first gear at 3. 60 purdy weak as far as that!

 

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My Getrag died at about 82,000 Miles. Couldn't downshift and continually popped out of fifth. I replaced it with the NV4500. It appears to me from reading the posts on this subject that there are good ones and bad ones. If it's good. Its really good and if it's bad well ... .
Were these imported from Germany? My W350 was built on 5/22/1989. Wonder if there was a bad lot or something?

 

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FYI - http://www.drivetrain.com/newventure.html

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99 2500, QC, SLT, 4x4 ISB, 5sp, 3. 55sld, Infiniti am/fm/cd, HDTcase, NW Running Boards and Mud flaps, Draw-Tite Front Mount Receiver Hitch, Tekonsha Brake Control, SRW and Husky Liners.

 

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While looking around on my Getrag I noticed a large amount of oil on the tailshaft. I washed it off today, so I'll find out it there is a leak or if it's just the breather.
Now for the question. Has anyone else noticed that you can pull the gearshift upwards. I noticed this first when at a stoplight, but its only because the stick doesn't fit tight, tight over the smaller piece bolted to the shift lever at the bottom. I noticed that the rubber inside the shaft on the stick was a little worn, but I think that it should fit tight enough where you would have to pull, and pull to get it off. I think that I'm going to drill a hole and put a bolt through the thing. Does anyone else have some suggestions, or comments?

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Hi Don
I've got a 1993 getrag with 113,000 and no problems so far. I use Amsoil XL-7500 5w30 and change it at 18,000 mile intervals. I have also added trans filter kit sold by "Genos Garage". I use oil analysis which supports the 18,000 mile interval. As I understand it the reason for 5w30 is to provide lubrication for the Getrags tight tolerances.

1993 - Banks quick turbo (25lbs boost unloaded), 31/2" exhaust, BD Power injectors K & N air filter and tweaked pump. Happy Trails.

 

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It is my understanding that the NV4500 5th gear problem was corrected in transmissions built 9/98 and later. Reading the posts about the older trucks is very informative.

John


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1999 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 5 spd; 4:10 LSD rear; Mag-Hytec diff. cover; US Gear EGT and Boost gauges.
Rammin' and Runnin', but not stepping on the rails