Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) NV4500 HD transmission - need help on rebuild info

[John Berger]

Since I'm going to have to have a new motor put in my truck, I decided I might as well get the transmission rebuild taken care of. I was going to have it done this year anyway.



I called a transmission place in Chattanooga with a good rep and they told me that the NV4500 HD is a Dodge only rebuild.



Of course, I've got a NV4500 HD. What I need to know is to the best of anyone's knowledge, is that true.



Any vendor recommendations? Costs?

 

[FLynes]

Ummmmm, I've never heard of an NV4500HD, which isn't to say it doesn't exist. As for what I would do, I had my NV5600 rebuilt by the dealer; it would have cost me $900, but the truck was still under warranty, and I got an extra 12,000miles/12months on the transmission. I liked the dealer I took it to, because I knew the tech performing the work, and I trusted him implicitly. The downside was that getting parts for the NV5600 is a bit of a PITA... I was down for three weeks, due to National backorder, but the dealer gave me a free rental, courtesy of Enterprise. Whatever you do, do NOT take it to AAMCO!!!!

 

[wilsonsh]

I'll second the "DO NOT TAKE IT TO AAMCO. " I had my 99 rebuilt at AAMCO and they screwed it up and it left me stranded. Then, it took them 3 weeks to do the second rebuild under warranty with no rental! I can't imagine a New Venture transmission being a Dodge only item... Have you gotten in touch with Magna? There isn't any mention of an HD version on Wikipedia but...

 

[surfbeetle]

NV4500 Rebuild and Overhaul Kits



I have 176,000 on my original stock trans, but this is where I plan to get my stuff from when it comes time to rebuild mine.

 

[John Berger]

I pulled out the window sticker from the truck (had it saved in the file folder) and it says that the transmission is an NV4500 HD.



Maybe the HD classification applies to Diesel's. I don't know what the difference would be though, other than manufacturer rating or warranty.



By the way, this post has already made Google. :-laf



I called the local Dodge dealer and was told that the rebuild would be right in the neighborhood of 3K, including labor. That is consistent with what the guy I referenced in the thread starter said.



The Dodge dealer said it is not a Dodge only rebuild.



Ohhh, I would never take my truck to AAMCO, but thanks for the warning.

 

[surfbeetle]

If you follow the link in the my post above yours, you will see a section at the bottom of the page that discusses the nv4500hd. Yes it's HD.

 

[John Berger]

According to the site you linked, as of December 2007, the no longer perform NV4500 rebuilds because of a lack of a good source of parts.

I reckon that would mean that they don't have the parts for sale as well.

I'm waiting for them to return my call. I'll post whatever information I get.

Dodge can get the transmission... . for $4500.

I hope this isn't a transmission that is getting to the point where parts are no longer available.

That would suck.

 

[surfbeetle]

YES, Definitely let us know. I was under the impression that they would still sell you a rebuild kit to use with your good core. But I have been wrong before and could be now.

 

[FLynes]

You know, if parts are no longer available, that's an excuse to upgrade in my book to, let's say, a six-speed.....

 

[V-Metalworx]

You know, if parts are no longer available, that's an excuse to upgrade in my book to, let's say, a six-speed.....

I rebuilt my 6sp over a year ago and it was a pain to find parts in I think Jan 05 new venture lost their contract with Dodge and stoped producing parts for the 5600 the only parts left were whats on the dealers shelf's so unless the aftermarkit has steped up and started building parts thay are no longer avilable its a really bad deal I bought two new syncro's for mine before I tore it down cause I new they were worn but after I got in it I really needed to replace third syncro ring but I could'nt find anymore#@$%!so now I have to take it a little slower on third so my advice I wouldn't convert to a sixer. the only reason I could think why they call the Diesel 4500 an HD is because they have a 1 1/4 imput shaft the GM 4500 and the gasers have an 1 1/8 shaft

 

[FLynes]

Well, we could always go over to the Getrag... ...

 

[WrenchRat]

NV4500 Rebuild and Overhaul Kits

A hearty second on Quad 4X4. Dan is a very knowledgeable fellow and wants to see your equipment running right. He only uses the best parts he can get, so you don't have to worry about knock-offs unless that is the ONLY thing in the entire marketplace. He has been known to have some of his own designed parts made when nothing else is available...



I got my NV5600 conversion kit and SB clutch assembly from him and have ZERO complaints. I ran into a minor problem (mine) on install and he was very helpful over the phone in getting me through the issue.



I would not hesitate to do business with 'Dan the Gear man'.

 

[V-Metalworx]

Well, we could always go over to the Getrag... ...

we could but I'm not crazy a bought the alum case I had a clutch builder tell me he split one wide open on a clutch dyno IO know thats not real world conditions but if it would happen to anyone it would be me, I'm hoping the aftermarket will pick up the slack for newventures down fall if I could figure out how to make syncro rings I could quit my job :-laf

 

[FLynes]

... I know thats not real world conditions but if it would happen to anyone it would be me, I'm hoping the aftermarket will pick up the slack for newventures down fall ...

I know the feeling. Some days it feels like both Charlie Brown and Murphy are conspiring together to make my day worse than the previous one.



You're right, it would be nice if the aftermarket DID pick up the slack, but I doubt we'll see that happen in the near future. The alternative, for now, is to horde as many parts as possible.

 

[V-Metalworx]

I know the feeling. Some days it feels like both Charlie Brown and Murphy are conspiring together to make my day worse than the previous one.



You're right, it would be nice if the aftermarket DID pick up the slack, but I doubt we'll see that happen in the near future. The alternative, for now, is to horde as many parts as possible.

Don't forget Eore OOOOwell:-laf

I hear you on hording parts it's really bad if you've got a 99-00 they ran a differnt ring than the later ones to upgrade to the new ones I had to change every gear they mated to,if I ever get that desperate for a transmission I think I'll try a eaton and a remote mount 205 transfer.

 

[FLynes]

Well, I don't need to worry about a transfer for this rig (see sig), though some days I wish I did..... mainly for the cool factor, but then again I no longer have to worry about track bars My 97 was a total pig, when it came to the steering department.

 

[PShoener]

I have rebuilt many nv4500. I good place for parts for these are gear wizzard Ch Ill. And also standerd transmission in Texas.

 

[NScott]

I bought a new fully splined shaft, new 5th gear and nut, all new syncronizers

from Welcome to Blumenthal Manufacturing I found them very competitive on price and shipped quickly. As far as special tools are concerned, there are a couple you will need IMHO. The one tool you will absolutly need is the special wrench/socket that is made by Miller Toolhttp://millerspecialtools. spx.com/Detail. aspx?id=155 that fits the 5th gear nut. The other one that will be handy, is the special socket that fits the output shaft that keeps it from turning while you are tightening the 5th gear nut. You could get by without the special socket if you had a spare yoke that will fit onto the output shaft and some type of bar or something to wedge into it to keep the whole thing from turning while you tighten the 5th gear nut.

 

[JVackiner]

John, kind of late to the party but if you haven't rebuilt your transmission yet I strongly recommend Dan at Quad 4x4. After losing 5th gear for the third time I went to him for all my parts. He was very helpful and using his instructions I was able to completely rebuild it myself (first time inside a transmission). You can email him at: -- email address removed -- with any questions you may have and he was always there to answer any questions I had during the rebuild. I took extra time double checking to make sure I didn't make any mistakes and am very happy the way it turned out. Good luck, Jeff.

 

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

we could but I'm not crazy a bought the alum case I had a clutch builder tell me he split one wide open on a clutch dyno IO know thats not real world conditions but if it would happen to anyone it would be me, I'm hoping the aftermarket will pick up the slack for newventures down fall if I could figure out how to make syncro rings I could quit my job :-laf

Hmmm, IIRC, last time I checked, NV4500's actually have more aluminum parts than a Getrag Not to say a Getrag's better though. Mine has held up to some serious use in the 91 with only 1 rebuild. Overfilling them helps alot. But if I had to pick it would be a 4500 any day.



Steven