Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) new/ old truck, 5th gear worries

[Cowboy]

HI, GUYS, I'm back (been gone for 2 years after selling my 02 HO dually') been having nightmares and wake up thinking I still own it, then its a real nightmare, WORDS OF WISDOM from a man who knows how to make mistakes. NEVER sell your TD unless its to buy another one, good, well cared for ones are getting harder to find, especialy under 100k miles. now a question, I just bought a 01 LB 2500 5spd (4500) stage 2 sticks,5' exhaust,airdog fuel preporator,edge comp 315 toyos (4x4) 140k miles from my buddy ,the sales mgr at Saitta Trudeau dodge in pahrump, is the 5th gear going to be a problem if it never hauls anything but *****? he said the 5th gear had been fixed by the previous owner, but he couldnt say HOW. all other issues these trucks have have been taken care of, I dont want to destroy a good trans for lack of a simple upgrade, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, this forum used to make me sound like a dodge engineer to my non-member friends, now they are all members, but on the 4th gen and 6. 7 forums, so its gettin kinda lonely here, huh? anyway, glad to be back!!!

 

[surfbeetle]

check this out NV4500 Transmission Repair, 5th Gear Repair

maybe it can help.

 

[Cowboy]

thanks, surfbeetle, like I said, I dint know if this issue has been fixed, but with this little gem, I know it will be, so I'm ordering one today.

 

[surfbeetle]

Glad I could help. Since mine's a two wheel drive, it doesn't work for me. When I contacted them, they said that their fix only works on a 4x4 because of some part that helps hold it in place is only found when there's a transfer case involved.



I have 209,000 on the original factory NV4500, use Royal Purple gear oil and never tow in fifth gear below 2,000 rpms. My worry is that by the time the trans lets go, there won't be anymore parts around to rebuild it...

 

[Cowboy]

surfbeetle HA HA HA I've said it plenty, if it werent for that GEM sitting between the front wheels I wouldnt even look at a dodge, BUT they had the brilliant idea of sourcing the finest low speed,high torque midweight powerplant ever produced (then wrapped it with a farm truck) oh well i'll love it till ford builds a truck with a CUMMINS in it. REAL TRUCKS DONT HAVE SPARK PLUGS!!!!

 

[MLee]

Remember, 5th gear is a highway gear anything under 50 should be 4th gear. Its the vibration that is created by the engine/gear train that backs off the 5th gear nut.

This new fix seems to look very good. Keep us posted on how it goes with pictures etc.

 

[Cowboy]

will do,thanks everybody, this is kinda like having a second family, all your questions will be answered, without having to deal with BS and egos. if I can give back, I definitely will.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

If you have 3. 54 gears and towing some good weight you'd want to be downshifting well before dropping to 50, especially on a 24-valve since revving it up isn't as much of a MPG killer as on a 12-valve. 55-60 is my downshift window.

 

[surfbeetle]

Remember, 5th gear is a highway gear anything under 50 should be 4th gear. Its the vibration that is created by the engine/gear train that backs off the 5th gear nut.

This new fix seems to look very good. Keep us posted on how it goes with pictures etc.

Don't go by the 50 mph stated above, you must go by 2000 RPMs, 50 mph comes at different RPMs depending on your rear end. My truck started with 4. 10s and now I have 3. 54s so 50 comes at a lower RPM then originally.