NV4500 to 5600 swap on an '03 ?

[JPLB22]

I'm wondering what parts besides the 5600 are needed for this swap ??



And if anyone knows a good shop for rebuilt 5600's. I'll be checking the junk yards for a wrecked Cummins also. So will any 5600 from 2000 on up work ??



TIA



Jeff

 

[HOBrian]

It should just bolt right up. I do not think that the input shaft is different. You are going to have more problems if you have a 4wd. I think the nv5600 is longer so that means longer front drive shaft and a shorter rear drive shaft.

 

[n7gxz]

I don't kmow if the '03 NV4500 uses a 1. 25" or a 1. 375" input shaft. All of the NV5600's except the very early ones use a 1. 375" input shaft. You'll also want to check the rear motor mount, transfer case adaptor, and transfer case shifter rods.



Kevin

 

[JPLB22]

It's beginning to sound like this is going to be more trouble than it's worth. I was hoping it was going to be a simple swap, buy the 5600 and maybe a few other small parts.



I called a few shops in my area and got the feeling I was getting in deeper than I want to. Guess I'll stick with what I got for now.



Thanks



Jeff

 

[Kirwin]

NV 5600 swap

Its not hard. You will need the shift tower out of a 03 and later truck. Its only held on my 4 bolts. The shift lever is bent different for the 3rd gen trucks. I have a spare shift tower if your interested. I bought a 03 transmission for my 97 swap and bought the older style shift tower. The clutch pressure plate is the only thing that is different if I recall. Go ahead and upgrade your clutch to South Bend's 13" Con O for the 6 speed and you will have everything you need. You will also need a backup light switch. They use a different switch on the 6 speed than the 5 speed. There are several places to obtain an NV 5600. Standard Transmission seems to have good customer service. Blumenthals is also a supplier of transmissions and conversion parts.

The NV 5600 is a large heavy transmission. You will not speed shift it and the ratios are spaced perfectly. The older 12 valve engines really need it as they are very RPM/torque limited. The newer trucks can run up to 2500 with no noise issue and a flat torque curve so they benefit less. However the NV 5600 transmission is very HD. Ken Irwin

 

[klenger]

Contact Standard Transmission. I think they may have everything you need to do the swap. The NV5600's in 2000 had a smaller input shaft than the one's from 2001 and later. Not sure what the implication is to you, but Standard Transmission will know what it takes.



I traded a 6 month old 2001. 5 with an NV4500 to get a 2001. 5 NV5600. Huge difference in trannys, especially towing.

 

[JPLB22]

Thanks klenger and Kirwin. I will give Standard Transmission and Blumenthal a call on Tuesday to see what they have to say.



The closer gear spacing and heavier duty nature of the 5600 is exactly what I want. I'm getting ready to move beyond just my EZ for power, and wanted to address transmission the first.



Jeff

 

[Gypsyman]

What years were the 5600 offered in? How do the olders units differ from the newer ones other than the tower and input shaft?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

The 5600 became available for the 1999 model year and it was '99 - '00 with the small shaft. I know there were a few internal improvements over time, and that the shifting improved noticeably for '03+. So I would try and snag a '03 or newer box.



Rob Hanson ran Super Mentals and a Comp (I think) box and even towed real heavy with his '99 6-speed dually. Never had a lick of transmission trouble. Took 5-6 months to get it after ordering since not many 6-speeds were available in '99.



Vaughn

 

[jayhawktrailers.com]

Blumenthals was great for us. Our 97 lost about 3 nv4500's before we swapped in favor of a nv 5600. This truck had 180k on it when the swap was done and we now have 318k miles on the truck no trans problems. We scrambled to find one of the last 05's with the 5600 just because they have never broke on us. Oh yeah we also have an 01 with 110K on it and no transmission probs. We tow realy heavy and have huge wind drag, we use these trucks commercialy. check Quad4x4's site for more info as well