Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) NV5600 Conversion ... is it worth it???

[FATCAT]

I posted the same message on the 12 valve forum, but thought I might get more responses here.

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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.

 

[DarrellB]

I'm tossing this idea around as well for my 99.



My syncros are shot and need work and while it's open I want to do a full rebuild as far as seals and the new fully splined shaft for the 5th. All that is a little over $500 just in parts not to mention the labor to have it all done. I'm guessing about $650 to $700 to have it done and out the door. The 5600 conversion I've seen is upwards of $5,000 so right now it looks like the rebuild is alot cheaper to me. Then again you get that huge 5600 for the $5k too, and that would be a nice peace of mind.



DB

 

[FATCAT]

After reading an article about the fully splined main shafts for the 4500 and how they too can fail, Quad 4X4's Torque King shaft seems the way to go ... but it ain't cheap either ... and you might as well get one of there new 4500 with it installed.



Tuff dicission ... but we all don't what to have to do it again ... and $5000 is hardly a dent in a down payment for a new truck. So on that side it makes it look like a good investment.



Just need some advise from guys who have done this conversion ... would they do it again or would they have choosen to just rebuild their old 4500?

 

[plongson]

Well I'll let you know this afternoon. I am just finishing up the installation, and I did the conversion myself. I needed a bigger clutch because of the bombs, and that led to thinking about the flaws with the 4500 and what is needed to correct them. I am NOT getting rid of the truck, it only has 75k miles on it and it is a '99.



I got the conversion form Dan's 4x4 in Montana. The kit included EVERYTHING but the drive line modification. Great place to do business and a great price. But as they say "Dont try this at home"... I have a shop set up to handle jobs like this and the 5600 is a BRUTE. It is VERY heavy and if it got away from you it could actually kill you. It is 400+ lbs. The 4500 you can manhandle, but not this this bad boy!!



Keep in mind the cost of driveline modification. . it ain't cheap either... I replaced the u-joints and hanger bearing at the same time and my total bill was $450 clams!!!



With Dan, there is no core and you are free to sell your 4500. If it is good it will fetch upwards of $1000.

 

[BSmalley]

I just helped a friend of mine do this conversion on his '95. It didn't seem all that bad to do. He did have to take the drive shafts to a machine shop to have them lengthened and shortened. I think the only real mod we had to do was make a different mounting bracket for the transmission mount. If I remember correctly we used the original trans crossmember but had to move the bolt holes back about 2 inches. I will talk to him and have him post anything else he remembers. From what he has said, it was well worth it...

 

[FATCAT]

I just spoke to Dan at Quad 4X4 ... he said that the supply of the 5600's are dwindling and if I was interested to not waite too long to decide.

He quoted me 3800 for the 4500 with Torque King shaft delivered to the east coast (this is a NEW 4500 with the upgrades installed) ... not to bad I guess.

I will have to have a transmission shop do the install since I don't have the know-how or tools or place to do such a job.



I am starting to lean back to the 4500, but plongson, let us know how yours is when your done.



Also, when you folks did the 5600 upgrade ... what did you do about the Transfer case? Did you have/do a rebuild of that as well?

 

[plongson]

WHO-HOO!! She is done and what a diffeance!! This is going to be great!! The gear spacing is wonderful and it shifts very smooth and not nochy. It seems smoother than my sons new 05' with a NV5600. I am very pleased...

 

[JL penner]

I've driven both the 5spd and the 6spd... ... ... if you use your truck to get groceries, stay with the 5spd. If you haul with it, you will quickly see that the extra $ was worth it. you can't beat them for hauling



With the 5spd, I always feel like there should be another gear inbetween. A friend of mine had one that he fixed with a splitter, but that was almost too much.



JL

 

[FATCAT]

I've driven both the 5spd and the 6spd... ... ... if you use your truck to get groceries, stay with the 5spd. If you haul with it, you will quickly see that the extra $ was worth it. you can't beat them for hauling



With the 5spd, I always feel like there should be another gear inbetween. A friend of mine had one that he fixed with a splitter, but that was almost too much.



JL

Well, I'm definitely do a lot of hauling in the spring/summer/fall seasons (at lease once every other week). And would love the 6-speed, but another thing I thought of was, besides the extra cost, is the competance of the local transmission shops around here to do the conversion. Even with a complete kit from Quad 4X4. There there is the fact I have a '97 with almost 200K miles.

Dam! This is a dificult decision!

 

[JL penner]

A 97 w/ 200k miles doesn't really say much. I think what you have to base your decision on is what kind of condition your truck is in. If the motor has been taken care of, then it will probably outlive whatever transmission you put behind it. If the body and interior can last another 5 or 6 years without nickel and dimeing you to death, then it would be worth it. In 5 years when that truck has 300K miles on it, and new trucks cost $60k you'll be able to sell it.



I can see it now "Wow a 97 12 valve with a 6 spdeed and it only has 300k miles on it!" :-laf



If it doesn't brake the bank, then go for it. You won't be disappointed

 

[FATCAT]

A 97 w/ 200k miles doesn't really say much. I think what you have to base your decision on is what kind of condition your truck is in. If the motor has been taken care of, then it will probably outlive whatever transmission you put behind it. If the body and interior can last another 5 or 6 years without nickel and dimeing you to death, then it would be worth it. In 5 years when that truck has 300K miles on it, and new trucks cost $60k you'll be able to sell it.



I can see it now "Wow a 97 12 valve with a 6 spdeed and it only has 300k miles on it!" :-laf



If it doesn't brake the bank, then go for it. You won't be disappointed

Hummm ... lets see I'll have to reherse here:

"... but honey if I upgrade the truck to a 6-speed it will be worth it in the future ... it will be a collector's item ... JL said so!!! ... "





Tuff decision ... I'm going to have to really think it over.

 

[nps]

Hummm ... lets see I'll have to reherse here:

"... but honey if I upgrade the truck to a 6-speed it will be worth it in the future ... it will be a collector's item ... JL said so!!! ... "

Don't forget the "honey I'll be able to sell my 4500 so the 6-speed will be that much cheaper" pitch also.



While you are at it, tell her the extra gear will give you better fuel consumption. :-laf

 

[cwcox]

Worth every penny!

Don't waste any more time doing research, asking questions, or even thinking about it. Get on the phone and call Dan @ Quad 4x4 in Montana. They'll ship you a complete kit with a clutch designed for your set up. It was the best $ I ever spent on my Ram! Their kit is perfect, the trans and clutch are brand new, plus you get a resurfaced flywheel! Get the kit and get started- you will NEVER be disappointed. My garage is taken up with another project currently, so I did this one on my back in my gravel driveway, with only a floor jack! I still would do it again in a heartbeat. Truck is 10,000 times nicer to drive. My ride is a 2002 3500 quad cab 4x4, running 3. 54 gears. New 2nd gear is perfect for starting out empty, and the split between the gears makes driving this ride a dream! I just can't believe you are wasting time reading this and haven't called Dan yet! Whatsa matta wit you!

 

[RonA]

I did a 5600 conversion on my first gen last year. Have put about 16k miles on it now. With the extra power I wish I had an auto. But that is not an option.

 

[RT66DOC]

Hummm ... lets see I'll have to reherse here:

"... but honey if I upgrade the truck to a 6-speed it will be worth it in the future ... it will be a collector's item ... JL said so!!! ... "

No, don't even go that far with it. Just say (with a glum look on your face),



"Geez Hon, durn transmission went out on the truck. Gonna have to get a replacement. Would you believe they get five grand for those transmissions? Robbers, that's what they are. Oh well, at least it's ALOT cheaper than if we'd bought a Ford and you know how this Cummins is good for at least a million miles so we're never gonna have to fork out 40-50 thou for a new truck. "

 

[KBalzuweit]

Worst mistake I made was NOT doing the 5600 swap. I put in another 4500 w/ fully splined mainshaft and kick myself everytime I think about it. JUST DO IT. I am saving now to get a 5600 to put on the shelf so when my 4500 fails I have it. Notice I said when not if :-laf . Karl

 

[FATCAT]

This sounds like it is the thing to do. When I did speak with Dan on Thursday, he did say the 5600 have gone up another $400 ... um yeah.

Looking at all the added thing you get (flywheel, clutch - probably would go with the Con-OFE), it is basically the same $$$ as his 4500 with the Torque King shaft an another clutch.



I will have to contact my shop here in southern NH to see if they can/will do the 5600 conversion ... then I will make the order.



I guess you should never second guess yourself on things like this ... 1st thoughts almost always seem to be the way to go.



I'll have to do this when I get back form North Carolina (riding shotgun with a buddy who is moving there, pulling a large trailer in his new Nissan Titan).



Thank you folks for all your review and advise.