Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) NV5600 Conversion ... is it worth it???

[FATCAT]

Well now ... after looking into replacing my NV4500 and seeing the prices, a 5600 conversion might not be out of the question. Of course I would have to find a shop to do this ... and am not sure who if anyone in the northeast can do this.



Question: I know that the rear drive shaft has to be shortened and a new longer drive shaft for the front would be needed. Is there any problems with vibration with a different drive shaft angle?



Would the NP241 need to be replaced with a larger transfer case? (I know the chain in my current case needs to be replaced).



I want this fix done once and once only. I have almost 200K miles and wonder if this may all be a waist of $$$. I plan on keeping the truck for a few more years, but if I were to go the NV5600 route, I would probably go another 5. I only drive the truck now about 10K - 15K a year and for towing mainly (dirt, stone, wood, backhoe, etc... )



Though ... ...

the prospect of driving out to Montana to Quad 4X4 for the conversion is interesting ... could rent an RV and go to Yellowstone when we get there.

 

[Kirwin]

I've done it.

Do a search and read my thread on my 97 2500 NV 4500 conversion... any questions you can PM me and we can talk via phone if you would like. No problems with the drive line angles. You will need a different clutch 1. 375" input shaft on the NV 5600. I'd recommend a South Bend upgrade clutch with the redrilled flywheel. Is it worth it? If you use the truck for pulling a trailer the NV 5600 is great. You WILL have to shift 5 times every time you come to a stop to get to high gear. The NV 5600 does not have a higher OD gear and you will only use 1st if you are starting a heavy load but you must still shift all the way to 6th to get to road speed. The six speed shifts slower that the 5 speed and you won't be able to force it into gear either. Take your time and it will go, but its not a Corvette transmission. It is a very HD unit though. Let me know if I can help you. Ken Irwin

 

[FATCAT]

Kirwin,

thank you for the info. If I do decide to go the 6-speed route ... I would order the complete unit from Quad 4X4 which has everything you need including the clutch and flywheel.



Also I have to take into consideration the transmission shop who would do the work. I'm sure they have never done a conversion like this before and this would be a learning experience for them ... if they would even want to take on the job.



I don't mind shifting ... I'd take a 9 speed Eaton if there was a conversion kit for it in 4X4.



I just want this to be the LAST time the transmission is touched and for it to last for another 5 years. I'm sure the engine will make it fine.

 

[Reb.B]

The 5600 is really the way to go. I've done a couple of conversions, for several reasons, shift ratios are is the best pattern, so much stronger, but not for drag raing, they are slower shifting. The price on nv-5600 have gone up about $300 across the board. New Venture stpped building new ones since 2 months ago. The conversion is really simple, and well woth it. Make sure to do it before your nv 4500 goes, so you have something to sell, really helps finance some of the conversion

 

[98rammer]

Blue Chip Diesel or Mass Diesel would do the conversion. Chip's only over in Hudson.



Tom

 

[RT66DOC]

Know anybody who'd do it in FL? Or would it be worth the trek up to Jeff Garmon's shop in GA?

 

[Neibe]

If the 4500 made it 200,000 miles I'd just stick with it do the latest upgrade on the 5th gear nut and call it good. The clutches hold better on the 5-speed due to more surface area than a 6-speed.

 

[BTighe]

i asked the same question a little while back and the response was no. i was told that it is not cost efficient since i dont tow heavy and even if i did and 5spd and gear vender would be better. i think the money is just too much. then again a 6spd would be awsome.

 

[FATCAT]

Blue Chip Diesel or Mass Diesel would do the conversion. Chip's only over in Hudson.



Tom

Blue Chip has done a bit of work on my ol'e truck before (Tim is quite a character and Chip is now getting heavally into TDI upgrades). I'll give them a call this week.



If I were to stick with another 4500, it would be a NEW 4500 with Quad 4X4's Torque King main shaft ... . I DO NOT WANT ANY WORRIES ABOUT THE 5th GEAR! So that route would still cost me $3,800 delivered + installation.

An extra $1500 for the 5600 + new clutch + new flywheel seems reasonable.



Thanks guys for the info.

 

[98rammer]

Tim is quite a character

yeah he is :-laf he definately knows how to stop traffic... literally (actually i saw his white 2500 for sale on ebay a while ago "all stock")



chip and scott are some of the few people i would trust to work on my truck (and do it right) due to their specialty and customer service.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...play_db_button=on&db_id=10151&query=retrieval



Tom

 

[Reb.B]

No more worries about 5th gear, LOL, thats funny. I've seen fifth gear come off 4 different ways. Nut falls off, top spines wear off, bottom clip gets pushed off, bottom splines strip out. The only true way to keep the nut from coming is tack welding it. If got custumers that pull short ways weighing in at my scales at over 40K. The only way they keep the nut was welding, i've tried two different nuts, threee diffent locktights. The nv 5600 is a much supierior transmission, not much fun to rebuild though, lol.

 

[Reb.B]

Oh don't forget about third gear two, my personnal rig lost third gear three times and never fifth.

 

[K5IP]

I went though the same thing last fall.

In my case upgrading ment spending $5000 on a $10000 truck (95 25000), so I decided to send my NV 4500 back to standard transmission. It cost about $1000 to get it fixed (including a fully splined main shaft), but I am back on the road and fully satisfied. I would love to have the 5600, but it was just not financially feasable. .



Rog

 

[gbeebe]

6 Speed Conversion

Fatcat,i Just Did A Conersion From 6-speed To A Automatic. jannetty Racing Did The Job. 1-203 753 -race. P. s. I Have My 6-speed For Sale With Clutch Good Shape. also The Part For Your Tranfer Case. Output Shaft. if You Want To Know More About It Send Me A Message.

 

[Woodenhead]

If the 4500 made it 200,000 miles I'd just stick with it do the latest upgrade on the 5th gear nut and call it good. The clutches hold better on the 5-speed due to more surface area than a 6-speed.

Huhh . Didn't the 5 speeds come with a 12" clutch and the 6 speeds with a 13" (more area)? I could have had a new center put in the clutch I had with my 5 speed to run it with the 6 speed and kept the same friction material. I'm not sure how the 5 speed had more surface area, please explain.



Mike



BTW, everytime I drive my truck I'm glad I did the 5600 conversion. I have the perfect gear for every speed and when towing the tighter ratios are awsome. Find someone with a six gear and try it out, you'll make up your mind pretty quick.

 

[scramblin]

I did the conversion about a year ago. I tow quite a bit with that truck. I would do it again in a heart beat.

 

[hsmith]

I have the 4500 with the Gear Vendors. Love it. Don't worry about 5th because I tow in 4th over, same ratio as 5th, but much stronger. Considering cost of 4500 rebuild and aux new combined, 5600 my not be much more, and is definitely stronger. Have given it some thought myself.

 

[jhnbrll]

I don't know, I had Chip do some work for me and I've had nothing but problems. I like Tim and Chip personably but, I'd hate to say it, the work they did sucked and he didn't stand behind it. my 2 cents.

John

 

[Demon Dodge]

I have the a 5600 and all the parts for the conversion plus a US Gear OD unit just haven't had the time to do the change so yesterday I yanked the back off the 4500 and welded 5th gear. I am leaving Thursday for another trip to TN. so I will see if it holds up.

Rod