Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Lost 5th gear

[plangone]

With 167k or so on the clock... pulling empty 4 horse GN, 100 miles from home on way back from 500 mile trip. I was just cruising along on at about 65 mph, no grade. Just stopped working, no noise, nothing. Drove home in 4th...



I am assuming the 5th gear nut is loose and the gear is not where it is supposed to be.



From what I have read, there seem to be a few options: 1) replace with new nut, 2) replace mainshaft with fully splined unit, 3) install reman trans with upgraded mainshaft, 4) buy new truck with a 6spd.



From my searches, it seems like the new nut is just a temp fix? I want to get this up and running quickly and inexpensively, but also want to be able to pull again.



Has anyone had good results just replacing the nut with a new one from Standard Transmission? I guess I need to get the special socket too?



Dropping the TC and doing the work with the trans in the truck doesn't seem to bad to me...

 

[RT66DOC]

Welcome to the club.



I wouldn't bother with just the nut. Standard Trans has great rebuilts with the fully splined mainshaft and lotsa guys are pumping a whole lotta HP thru them without problems.



Another option is replacing the 5spd with a 6spd. A bit more $$$ but if you're gonna tow you'll probably be happy. Talk to Don at Blumenthal's for the scoop and prices. As conversions go, it's an easy one. Several TDRers have done it. Don can also supply you with a new 13" SB CON OFE and flywheel to match. Good luck.



BTW, good time to replace seals, etc. in the TC as long as you have it apart.

 

[Forrest]

My experience ... lost 5th @ about 40k & took it to Dodge the next morning for the new nut pkg. 120k now & still ok. I'm on borrowed time.



I will do option #2 & have the transmission 'gone thru' at the same time.

 

[RT66DOC]

Forrest,



Do you find that mo power makes the 5 spd Grand Canyon gear splits more bearable??? I'm taking a survey.

 

[MStarzman]

Last summer the same thing happened to me, I drove from Wyoming to Wisconsin in 4th. I asked the same question to the forum and decided to go with the new nut. I only had 110K on the transmission and do not tow that often. Basically rebuilding the transmission seemed like alot of trouble and $$$. It has been around a year and 20K with no problems to date.

If you go this route make sure to locktight the new nut when you put it on. I beleive someone had a write up on this process but cannot remember where. Good Luck.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

replace it with a new transmission and sell me your old one dirt cheap



(I'd just do the new nut if I were you)



Forrest

 

[RCapehart]

I used the nut kit and a press fit 5th gear from Blumenthal Heavy Duty, Inc. My shaft looked good as well as the old 5th gear but it fit loose. I was told that if I put it back together like that it would work as a rachet and come apart again, even with a nut kit. I used a pipe the right size and drove the gear in place. It has been about 15,000 miles and a lot of towing and no prblems.



Ron

 

[Forrest]

Originally posted by RT66DOC

Forrest,



Do you find that mo power makes the 5 spd Grand Canyon gear splits more bearable??? I'm taking a survey.

Yep ... the Grand Canyon gets filled in & almost goes away.



Now, further qualifying that ... low rpm fueling & air enhancements is best. The #10 plate, #4, #0 or #100. The #5 might be, not sure, but these are the low end grunters with the #0 being the most obscene.



With the 5'er hooked up, the #0 in a 215 pump makes the whole darn cab make lots of noise. No doubt coming from a :{ drivetrain. I haven't tried the #100 with the 5'er yet, but I expect the same thing.

 

[SMorneau]

I think you did pretty good getting that far without a failure. I spent a lot (too much?) of money to go to a 6 speed after multiple failures. Last failure was 5th gear synchro and there was no driving home in fourth gear because it was locked in fifth. Being stranded with the dog and the camper was bad enough i don't know what the heck you would do with horses. The six speed gear splits make it much easier to drive especially with a load. I would not want to race anybody with the six speed but it shifts fine if you drive it like a truck.



Not to take a shot at anyones confidence in their truck but, I don't think fifteen or forty thousand miles proves anything. There are also other problems with the five speed besides the 5th gear nut. There maybe some fixes for those as well but frankly I quit following the nv4500 woes. I would call Std Trans before I put in the MOPAR fix.



Good luck,

Scott

 

[DSiemens]

Lost 5th, installed updated nut. A year later, updated nut came loose. Installed fully splined mainshaft, new 5th gear, new nut and a couple of snycros. Seems ok now and I pull some heavy loads. This is on my 1995 Ram.

 

[Jeff H]

If its a truck you plan on keeping. Or really haul heavy. The 6 spd is the way to go. Get a good clutch while yer spending all that dough.

I don't have a 6spd in mine. I don't haul heavy. I have 217 on it now. Still original clutch and 5th gear. But if I did haul. A 6spd would be my next choice.

I got a chance to witness some of the installation of SMorneau's 6spd. So at least I know what is involved.

You can either spend a ton of money on upgrading a 5spd and hope it holds together.

Or spend a ton of money after repairing and upgrading a 5spd only later to get a 6spd conversion and good clutch.

 

[plangone]

Thanks for the great info guys. I ordered the upgraded nut and a gallon of oil from Standard Transmission and the special socket from Miller yesterday. Now I just need to get the work done and hope it holds for a while.

 

[MMiller]

My brothers 94 nut came loose about a year ago. He put in the new mainshaft, nut, bearings, synchros. It went almost a year and lost 5th again. Man I would be tempted to tack weld the nut to the shaft. I tried to get my brother to do it the last time, don't know what he's gonna do this time. Like said above, I would say the 6 spd is a good way to go. When my getrag goes in my first gen, then a six will hopefully go in.



Michael

 

[Boomer II]

Been there 3 times. Finally did an overhaul with the new mainshaft. So far so good, but I wish I'd done the 6 spd. The nut fix is a fantasy. I don't wanna hear about the fully splined shaft failing so stop it!!