Life of a Manual transmission

[Caleb Thompson]

Hey guys I was just wnodering how many miles you all have on your manual tranmissions. How often should you change the fluid and what kind to put back into it. I thank you for all of you help.

 

[redram]

I have 118K on my 96 with the NV4500. I had 170K on the Getrag 5 Speed in my 89 when I sold it. It now has in excess of 300K.

The trans will go a long time with basic maintenance. Weak link is the 5th gear nut if lugged in too low a rpm.

2 year / 50,000 drain intervals or more frequent if you're doing continuous high load towing.

Use a synthetic 75W90 GL4/GL5 approved oil. Comes factory filled with a Castrol SynTorq LT GL4 fluid that you can get from Dodge for +25 / quart. Same trans is used in GM trucks and you can get the same fluid for about 13 / quart through GM.
I use Royal Purple MaxGear 75W90 which is 8 / quart.
Check out www.royalpurple.com or call 888-382-6300 for the nearest retailer.

David
Tech Services Manager for Royal Purple
Mechanical Engineer

3 years +85000 on last gear oil change.

------------------

 

['956Wheel]

156,000 on my '95 3500, new clutch... that's it! #ad
#ad
transmission shifts smooth as silk!

------------------
9535hundred

 

[Turbo Thom]

Hi Caleb:
On my 96 5 speed I've got 187,000 miles. I run Amsoil Series 2000 Gear lube and love it. I've lost 5th gear nut 3 times but the last time was 122,000 Of that many miles probably 40% of the time is towing about 12,000 lbs. I put in a Pro Gold clutch at 168,000. So for so good. I have noticed lately when I shift to third quickly it seems to have a nick of a grind. Other than that, still trucking.
Preston

------------------
96 3500, Black SLT, 5 speed, turbo diesel, , with US Gear overdrive, Rhino liner, Reese 15,000 lb. fifth wheel hitch, US Gear de-celarator exhaust brake, muffler elimination kit, Amsoil lub. , Mag-hytec rear cover, dual-remote by-pass filters, and Roadmaster Active system

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I just popped the top on my NV4500 after 100,000 miles. Gear teeth look good, still show some factory machine marks (that is, hardly worn in yet). No bearing noises, and the input is tight when I try to wiggle it, so those bearings are good. I changed the lube at 50K and 85K. I now suggest changing at 35-40K. I used the Mopar lube (Castrol Syntorq). Mainshaft and 5th gear nut didn't look great at 85K but hadn't failed. I now have the Std. trans. mainshaft. I feel that with proper care, the trans will last a very long time.
Hope this helps
Joe

 

['956Wheel]

Originally posted by turbo thom:
Hi Caleb:
On my 96 5 speed I've got 187,000 miles. I run Amsoil Series 2000 Gear lube and love it. I've lost 5th gear nut 3 times but the last time was 122,000 Of that many miles probably 40% of the time is towing about 12,000 lbs. I put in a Pro Gold clutch at 168,000. So for so good. I have noticed lately when I shift to third quickly it seems to have a nick of a grind. Other than that, still trucking.
Preston

Preston, Please take a minute and tell me more on that clutch... where, how much, why.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[trucknut]

98000miles on my N. V. 4500H. D. no problems at all. The truck doesn't pull to many loads,but does a lot of off-road speed up slow down driving. Clutch bearing went out at 92000miles. while replacing the bearing I had the mechanic check and upgrade the 5th gear nut. He said the factory nut was extremly tight, so all he replaced was the 5th gear nut(upgrade nut:split nut with a pinch bolt and alittle lock tight). Once the nut comes loose New Venture recomends replacing the fifth gear as well as the nut. The fifth gear shaft splines are also at risk of wear when the nut comes loose. The upgrade expense was worth it to me, before any problems. While doing the clutch and bearing is a good time to do the upgrade, while the trans is out of the truck.

 

[dieselburner]

Approximately 78,000 miles on the truck. All of the bolts on the top cover of the transmission were loose when the truck was new #ad
. After torquing, no problems with the transmission #ad
. Changed oil at 50K miles with Castrol Syntorq. Pull a 13,500 trailer all over the mountains in the western states, no problems at all #ad
#ad
#ad
.

------------------
1998 2500 Quad Cab, 12V, 5spd, 4x4, HD Transfer Case, 370HP Diamond B Injectors, #4 TST, 16cm2 Housing, AFC Spring Kit, BD Governor Spring Kit and other governor modifications, Walker Muffler, 285/75-16 BFG AT's, Stainless Steel Tube Steps, Reese Fifth Wheel Hitch, Leather, CD, LSD Dana 80 Rear, 60 Front, Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch, Rancho RS9000 Shocks, Rancho Steering Stabilizer, ATS Exhaust Manifold, Psychotty Air Induction, BD Exhaust Brake