Gutbag blues

[matches]

My wonderful 5spd is getting close to its demise. When I let out the clutch I can sometimes hear the bearing growl. How can I make this thing better, this is the second gear box in the truck, the first lasted 100k this one has 76k on it. I would like to upgrade to quad4x4's upgraded nv 5spd but the $4k is holding me back. Any ideas? Oh yeah it still has the original clutch, go figure, they can make that last.

 

[BHiggins]

My first CTD Dodge was a 1990 and when I sold it it had 304,000 miles on the original Getrag. I did replace the clutch at 250k but only because I had to remove the transmission to replace a leaking rear main seal. The clutch was still good, but I did it anyway since it was right there. My "new" first gen I bought with 70,000 miles and had to rebuild the Getrag at 75,000. With such a huge difference in milage, it makes me wonder if I was just lucky with the first one or unlucky with the second. The $4000. 00 to switch to the NV4500 is way too much, plus from what I understand the 4500 has problems with the fifth gear nut falling off.