need your input on transmission options...

[Forrest Nearing]

well, I pulled the pan on my a518 to adjust the bands...



when I first got the truck (198k miles) the transmission shifted like a machine gun... quick and strong... about 3-4k miles later, it was holding out the shifts longer...



I've been babying it and even lifting between shifts on cold mornings or any other time it's tried to hold the gears longer than I liked...



the rear band was definately out of adjustment! when I was pouring the fluid out of the pan, I noticed metal flakes!







they weren't stuck to the magnet, nor would they if I laid them on it, so I'm assuming they're aluminum flakes... planitary set?



I have a feeling (or am I just praying) that it'll hold together for a while longer if I continue to baby it... the 1-2 shift is greatly improved after adjusting the band, but it's blatently clear that the transmission is on the downward slop of it's life.



so I'm exploring my options...



there's a well known, local transmission builder who's built some trannies for friends of mine... including the 727 in my buddy's 9 sec Belvedere, and they've all had good luck with him.



I called him, and told him what I had, and he said he would completely rebuild it with blue clutches, kolenes, and do some valve body recalibration work for ~$900... that's purely a bench price (I carry in/out)



I'm just estimating spending another $300-500 having my converter gone through... anti-balooning plate, beefed guts and a tighter stall speed...



but I've got this inherent fear of/distaste for automatic trannies, so I've been looking at a manual transmission swap...



the cost is going to be considerably more, and the girlfriend wouldn't like it as much... I'D have a lot more fun rowing the gears, but I've got my other cars for that... I just need a strong reliable truck...



I'm starting to have buyer's remorse for buying the thing... I had a gut feeling that the first major thing to go would be the transmission... I was just hoping I could squeeze 50k miles out of it (it shifted perfect when I got it) and I got it from a buddy, so he wasn't out to screw me... just looks like it might happen before I gambled on... guess I'm just a little disappointed in myself for gambling on a truck I didn't really NEED (a crappy old 1/2 ton Ford with a 300 inline would "get the job done" for a LOT less money), but man oh man did I want a Cummins!



on another note, the truck fires right up... feels like less than a full rotation on the crank! and it runs great [knocking on wood][/knocking on wood]



so I hope/feel like with a good transmission, the truck would really be a nice one...



I guess the lesson I was slated to learn from this one was humility as I am unable to drive agressively in this thing! LOL!



but what are your thoughts? (and please don't MENTION DTT or any of the other HIGH $$$$ companies... I can't afford to double my investment in this thing!)



thanks,



Forrest

 

[Forrest Nearing]

oh yeah, truck currently has almost 206k on it FWIW.



thanks,



Forrest

 

[R.E. Miller]

Don't Fret

Sorry to hear about your transmission woes Just think of how nice it will be once you get a good new transmission in the thing. I think of the same thing some times about my pick-up; for the most part all I NEED is a 1/2 ton. But... . it is sooo nice not to have to worry about wanting to rent a skid loader or tow a car/truck when needed Also look at the whole situation from the other angle, you could have a new truck, but you would be stuck with steep payments... ... and the transmission could blow-up in that thing too



2 Things FWIW



1. I have been on a ride in Mopar-muscle's 24ver that has a nicely set-up auto in it, and that thing rocks!



2. If your girlfriend drives your truck, and she won't if you put a manual in it, enjoy the fruits of an automatic



Russell

 

[Forrest Nearing]

well, she doesn't drive the truck, but she rides right next to me... I don't know how well that would work while trying to shift gears... probably wouldn't be so bad on a long haul on the highway with it in 5th, but around town? nah...



I agree, a well set up automatic is really nice... for what I use the truck for, the wider gear spacing is actually preferable... hell, I wish I had some 3. 08 or 3. 20ish gears out back... and the zero time between shifts means for a quicker truck when everything is working correctly...



my biggest fear? installing a rebuilt auto and having to pull it out and put it back in a few times before everything is working right and the converter stall is at the right speed...



auto trannies are just black magic to me... I prefer a stick because I can take the transmission apart and clearly see how it works...



on another note, I JUST got off the horn with a guy who's got a 93 5sp truck at his wrecking yard... now, it's missing the transmission (and I wouldn't invest any "real" money in a Getrag), BUT, he said everything else should be there... so I'd have a good source for the flywheel, pedal assembly, clutch cylinder(s), etc. and gauging from some of my "test" prices, it doesn't sound like he'd kill me on the prices and he does allow customers to pull their own parts so that should save me a little money...



I don't mind putting money into a NEW NV4500... my main concern was the cost of all the peripherals! but if I can get a NEW NV4500 in the truck for under $2k, I'll suck it up and do it... and I'll be keeping an eye out for a good used one in the mean time (but most of them I find are 4wd units)



so I'm going to head out to his yard some time this week hopefully and see what kind of prices he can give me on the conversion stuff...



but, I am still interested to hear others' thoughts on the topic!!!



thanks guys,



Forrest

 

[Tim1]

Good news Forrest, for about 2400. 00 you can get a brand new nv4500 with the bell housing that will accept all the 93 stuff and includes shifter assembly and rear mounts. I've researched this pretty good since i am doing the same conversion. Get ahold of these people www.advanceadapters.com they have a 800 number also on the net. Very nice people to deal with. Hope this helps bud. I found a 99 gearbox but still need the bellhousing. Oh, I don't know if it has the earlier nut, if it doesn't you can put it on and definetly do that! Tim

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I'm not sure what you mean by earlier nut...



I figured I'd pull the pedal assembly, clutch cylinders, etc. and the flywheel...



I'm not very literate in the interchanges between the generations, but from what I understand, the later bell isn't a bolt on affair, so a "swap" bell must be used... so I'm prepared to buy that...



but besides a clutch, is that all I need? I'm fully prepared to alter the driveshaft length and cut/modify/MAKE a transmission crossmember...



any more input on this?



thanks!



Forrest

 

[Tim1]

Hey Forrest, What is meant by the earlier nut is a nut that is not split with about a 1\4" bolt holding it together on the transmissions mainshaft under the tailshaft cover. You don't want this set up. You want the full nut and the follow tdrmbr advice and locktite and stake the nut. From my conversion book it states the nv4500 is 6 1\2" longer than a getrag, how that compares to the auto, that I don't know. But, you can fix the driveshaft and crossmember with no problems. The gearbox require a new output yoke PN716087 . The transmission PN is 26-0019 Adapter Bellhousing PN 712585 or you can order the kit which includes the bellhousing,shift handle and 2wd transmission with output yoke under PN 27-0056 If you go to their web site you can get thier prices or call 1 800 350-2223. They are in Paso Robles Calif. You will need the adapter bell housing unless you change all over to a 2nd gen setup. Hope this helps! Tim

 

[Tim1]

Oh yeah Forrest, If you really want a good gearbox, you can go to a 10 speed set up, but cost more and you need on board air from a small electric compressor. I've researched this also. Tim

 

[KEENO]

AA or Quad 4x4?

Hey Forrest & Tim!



I guess I'm kind of butting in here... BUT, wanted to mention something about the earlier Advanced Adapter NVG4500HD conversions.



When I had my NVG conversion done last Summer by Quad 4x4 in Roberts, MT. Dan mentioned that there was a problem w/ the early AA Conversion kits. They were using a piece of square tubing on the cross member as a trans support & alledly they were collapsing in use. Please check to see if these kits have been upgraded to do away w/ this concern. Dan Guarino, owner of Quad 4x4, mentioned that he has fix his fair share of AA NVG Conversions w/ this problem.



Quad 4x4 (406-446-2427 or dan@quad4x4.com) sells their complete NVG conversion kit w/ bellhousing, crossmember support, linkages, video & misc. pieces for $600 - $650 (can't remember the exact price).



Just another option... . All you need is a "Fully Splined" Standard Transmission NVG4500HD to go w/ the kit.



KEENO

 

[Forrest Nearing]

well, Standard is right around the corner from me (figuratively... 30min away) I just got off the horn with them...



at THIS point, I'm looking at just getting a swap kit from them...



they're getting just shy of $2300 for a 2wd conversion kit...



I'm hoping I can do the whole thing for ~$2500... not cheap, but if I'm gonna HAVE to do a transmission job on the old girl, I wanna do it right!



Forrest

 

[84 crewcab]

Questions

I was wondering what the need was for a conversion bell housing? Is it for the change to the front mounted clutch slave cylinder on the Getrag setup or is there another reason. I am in the midst of a NV4500 change over and didn't do much homework prior to getting into it. I have all the proper rear slave cylinder clutch aperatus on hand. I was concerned about the 13" clutch and pressure plate not fitting inside the NV4500 bell housing. I haven't checked that yet.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

Michelle at Standard Transmission told me that on some of the early swap bells, guys were having to grind a little on the inside to clear the larger clutch... I couldn't get a definate as to wether or not their current "swap" bells cleared or not...



Forrest

 

[KB0OU]

Tempted

Yea Forest, I am tempted to go to a manual transmission on my ole 96 too, go for it man!!!!!

 

[Forrest Nearing]

how's your transmission?



wanna sell it?



I just want the best transmission I can sorta afford... the NV4500 swap is in the lead right now...



Forrest

 

[Tim1]

Back again Forrest, I don't think on the 2wd kit they include the crossmember parts but I'm not sure and was that price for a brand new gearbox with no exchange? Hey Keeno, thanks for jumping in, I haven't bought the adapter kit yet, they want 425. 00 for it for a 4x4. Think I will do a little more research. Just curious, trying to pick it all up!

 

[KB0OU]

IN USE

Cant sell it now, it is busy, I was just by Roberts, MT the other day, should have stopped!!!

 

[Tim1]

Oh yeah Forrest, wish I could remember all at once,If your motor has the pickup on the front crankchaft damper (just above), The wiring harness has the wires in the harness for a Isspro Tach under the dash by the steering column. Easy hookup. Later Tim

 

[Forrest Nearing]

Tim,



I'll email you with more info on the transmission stuff... that price is rebuilt, not new, but they're rebuilt with the fully splined 5th gear and some other upgrades I believe...



I don't think the kit includes a crossmember, but it does include a transmission mount. they say you have to cut a little bit out of the factory crossmember... I'm assuming the 5sp and auto members are different? I'll grab that Getrag member at the junkyard if it's available... if not, I'm pretty confident I can make something work (have welder, torch, grinder, and rigging/fabrication skilzzz )



oh yeah, it also comes with the necessary driveshaft yoke... the 2wd price is a little higher because of the mount and the yoke. .



KB0OU,



I understand. I was mostly kidding!

 

[bvanetten]

Forrest,



If your thinking of spending 2k on putting in a stick I would seriously think about building up your 518 with DTT parts. Even if you pay list price right off of his web site your only into it for...



Torque Converter = $750

Valve Body = $375

Update Kit = $175



... around $1300. I bet one of his dealer/installers would sell the stuff to you cheaper than that. Best money I ever spent.



Bruce