Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) NV4500 2wd vs 4wd conversion

[bluthndr]

Anyone know the differences? Obviously each has it's own tail housing, and one has a t-case hanging off it...



Thinking about building another QC SB 4x4 12v truck out of parts...

 

[DPashko]

I believe the 2wd trucks have IFS front suspension not a solid front axle like the 4x4s. and of course the things you mentioned. I think thats the only differences.

 

[SRadke]

2wd's have a diffrent mainshaft and tailhousing. To convert it to a 4wd just swap in a 4wd mainshaft and add the transfercase adapter in place of the 2wd tailhousing. If you don't want to spend the money for a fully splined mainshaft you can put in a used stock mainshaft that had been replaced in favor of the fully splined variety.



-Scott

 

[bluthndr]

Thanks SRadke - exactly the info I was looking for. What makes a fully splined mainshaft better? I plan to abuse the truck somewhat...



I am planning on putting a 12v manual powertrain (2wd or 4wd) in a 4x4 gas ext cab truck. It worked out pretty good the first time...

 

[SRadke]

The factory shaft is only has splines under half of fifth gear. The whole gear is splined but only half of the shaft where it rests. The smooth portion of the shaft begins to wear under the gear allowing it to get loose and as it works on there it loosens the "famous fifth gear nut" eventually working it all the way off and allowing fifth gear to slide back on the shaft to where you loose it. (You don't actually loose or damage anything it's just like neutral when you shift into 5th. )



The fully splined shaft is the aftermarket's solution to this problem. They made a shaft that has splines under the entire gear with a diffrent locking mechanism on the nut. There are a couple designs depending who you buy from. I've been using Standard Transmission and gear's shafts and nuts with 100% success thus far. I've installed 5 or 6 of them through the last 5 years.



-Scott