Nuts to the NV4500

[Prairie Dog]

I've finally talked a coworker out of a new 1/2 ton ferd and into a 1500 Ram quadcab w/hemi. He wants a 5 speed which I guess will be the NV4500. My question is this, did they ever fix the problem of the fifth gear nut falling off?



Scotty





And yes, I'm still trying to talk him into a Cummins

 

[MUDDY]

1500's use the nv3500 transmission

 

[redram]

I have 150,000 and almost 8 1/2 years of use with my NV 4500 and I have had zero trouble with the 5 speed.



Just don't lug the engine in 5th gear at 1200 rpm.

 

[Deezul1]

5th gear is not a problem on gas powered trucks, its the low rpm impulse of the Diesel that makes it come loose. Chevy gassers have run this trans for years and never had that problem.

 

[Dean Upson]

I never had a problem with the NV4500 in my 98. 5, but I was very careful not to drop down below 1800 rpm towing. I now have the NV5600 and it is the best transmission I have ever had. The spacing between the gears make it a superior transmission for towing. It is an awesome unit in size and weight.



Dean

 

[WM-300]

NV-4500 Production Change

I talked with NVG about 6 months ago while doing a NV-4500 conversion. I asked when the new 5th gear retention modification went into production. They told me late 1998. They also said if you buy any 1999 NV-4500, it will have the new 5th gear nut retention modification.



I have a book with NV-4500 Serial Numbers. Give me the SN off the paper tag glued on the top of the transmission and I will tell you the date of build.



Paul

 

[jackcaptjr]

Have over 120K miles on my 99 with the 4500 and tow 12k to 14K lbs with not a hint of problems. Noticed some "rough shifting" about 60K and changed the fluid. Expensive but worth it as all symptoms went away. Now change every 30K. Have a new 04 with the 5600 and it is now just starting to shift like the old 4500 but only have 5K on the new truck.

 

[HOBrian]

CAn you get the Hemi in the 1500 with a 5 speed. I thought the only way was to get the 2500 Hemi 5 speedOo.

 

[WM-300]

Interesting Email from NVG

While researching the NV-4500 5th gear nut problem for my conversion, I received the email below. I attach it just for information as it tells how to Id a modified NV-4500.



Paul





From: "John Malone" <JohnMalone@newventuregear.com>

To: <ks2krpt@attglobal.net

Sent: January 2, 2003

Subject: NV 4500 Manditory Repair



Paul;



The NV 4500 Transmission as used in General Motors, Chevy and Dodge Trucks form its introduction to 1995 suffer a design problem in the 5th gear lock nut retainer. It is probable that during the life of the NV 4500 Transmission, the 5th gear retainer nut will loosen and allow the final 5th Overdrive Gear to fall off the shaft. When this happens SERIOUS damage will happen to the Overdrive. The more miles the transmission has, the more apt the fail to occur.



The update to eliminate this problem is a new 5th gear Nut with a newly designed retainer. The retro fit requires special tools and can not be done properly without the special tools. All Authorized New Venture Transmission stations can make the retro fit. The cost which includes a modification to the output shaft is $250. 00, Two Hundred Fifty Dollars.



All transmissions modified by New Venture Transmissions will have the words "NEW NUT" stamped into the case by the top left Overdrive

mounting bolt. If these words are not there, consider the transmission as unmodified and a serious threat of failure.



I hope this answers your question on the 5th gear nut failures.



Sincerely

John Malone

NV 4500 Customer Support

New Venture Transmissions

Syracuse, NY

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

Brian,



The Hemi in the 1500 only comes with a 5-sp auto behind it.



Jim

 

[nickleinonen]

Originally posted by Rams-n-Hogs

Brian,



The Hemi in the 1500 only comes with a 5-sp auto behind it.



Jim

sucks don't it eh... ?!?

 

[rbattelle]

Originally posted by Rams-n-Hogs

Brian,



The Hemi in the 1500 only comes with a 5-sp auto behind it.



Jim

I hate it when they do this. Welcome to the land of automatic transmissions.

 

[RobbieH]

Originally posted by muddymess

1500's use the nv3500 transmission

NV3550 but I'm just being technical.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Thanks for all the info guys. Sure enough, he can only get the auto w/Hemi so it looks like he'll get a 4. 7L w/5 speed manual.



Just saying that makes me wan't to twist my face into what looks like a Mr. Yuck sticker.