NV5600 Conversion, would you do it again?

[Woodenhead]

I know there are a few of you who have replaced your automatic, getrag or NV4500 with a NV5600. My question is would you do it again? More so for those who replaced their NV4500. Right now my NV4500 is a 4 speed (fifth got me) and I'm considering doing the conversion. I've heard some good things about the NV4500's upgraded with a fully splined main but I've also heard sometimes fifth still comes off.



I don't want to run into more problems with this in the future. I'm willing to spend the $$ on the conversion but I don't want to regret it for some reason in the future.



Any opinions greatly appreciated.



Mike

 

[bighammer]

I'm thinking about it too. My 5 speed in the 94 is making a lot of odd noises and I'm not sure how long it will go. I love the 5600 in the new truck and having the same shift pattern in both trucks would be nice. (as well as the extra gear -- I notice it more now with the H2 rubber on the 94)

 

[BWillard]

I would definately do it again! Although I like to ROW the gears My '94 had the NV4500 and I loved that transmission to but, it always seemed that I would get behind the guy in town that was going just the right speed to make me shift from 4th to 3rd, 4th to 3rd, etc... ... My 6 speed seems to always have the right gear for the speed!

 

[KcoleKennyc]

I've put about 100,000 miles on the NV5600 since I removed the NV4500. It is a much better and stronger transmission. It was very hard to shift at first but after it got a few miles on it that loosened up. The gears are spaced a lot better for towing heavy loads. To me it was well worth the money. With the 4. 10 gears, I would like to add an auxillary overdrive but it would take a lot of miles to recover the cost so I will probably just leave it like it is.

 

[Mike Ellis]

Gentlemen,



How expensive was the swap when you did it? If I have my NV4500 swapped out for a 5600, it will have to be done at a shop - the ones I have talked to in the past were extremely expensive ($6,000+ as I recall, making the old NV4500 look pretty good)

 

[Woodenhead]

Gentlemen,



How expensive was the swap when you did it? If I have my NV4500 swapped out for a 5600, it will have to be done at a shop - the ones I have talked to in the past were extremely expensive ($6,000+ as I recall, making the old NV4500 look pretty good)

I've been quoted anywhere from $3600 to $4000 for the conversion kit. With some kit's you'll need to buy the cross member from Dodge. I've been given price less than $6000 to have the conversion done including a new clutch and flywheel and brand new (not reman) NV5600. I may not need the flywheel and complete clutch kit, I might be able to get away with just a friction plate with the 1-3/8" shaft which will save me some $$.



Not sure about transmission shops in your area but I've found Quad4x4 in Montana comes very highly recommended and I think I'll be travelling the 700 miles to have them do mine.



I found several shops closer that had never done the conversion but said "we should be able to do it", I don't want to be their first. If you want to get a good



Mike

 

[Loren]

Mike,



For the $3600+ cost of a six-speed conversion you could install a US Gear overdrive and have a ten-speed. It's a more straightforward installation and you will get an extra gear above fifth as a bonus.



I installed one in my 2000 truck with a six-speed and love it. I split gears when towing a lot, and often do it even when I'm empty to get into just the right RPM range.



The added gear above 6th is really nice. At 70 mph in 6th-overdrive I am turning just 1550 RPM with my 3. 54 axle ratio. This number may have been taken when I had my 19. 5" Rickson wheels and tires mounted, but even with stock wheels your RPM will be in a nice range to cruise all day at 65-75 mph.



I recommend you consider the alternative of an overdrive.



Loren

 

[Woodenhead]

Loren,



I considered replacing my 4500 with a reman. trans and adding a US Gear or Gear Vendor overdrive unit. Even before my NV4500 went on me I was long considering installing an aux. OD unit. The reason I didn't this time is because I decided having the stronger NV5600 with a larger input shaft and obviously beefier transmission was more important to me for reliability after future bombs. Thanks for the heads up.



Mike

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

The downside of the OD units is I hear they needed to be treated with care, probably won't stand up to a seriously bombed engine, and exhaust brakes are heck on them.



Vaughn

 

[Turbo Thom]

Vaughn... Not mine.



. . Preston. .

 

[RGuzzo]

My buddy swapped out a getrag 360 for a 5600 with a kit from quad 4x4 from mont. and he was completely satisfied with them and their product besides he said they had the better price and he he even recieved a few vcrs . I lucked out getting his old 360 for 200 and just replaced the bearings and seals even though it really wansnt that noisy to begin with.

 

[RonA]

I swapped my getrag for a 5600 a year and a half ago. It is a great transmission when towing. It is a good transmission when empty. I had a gear vendors overdrive on it at first. I took it off because the only time i used it was in 6th gear and my new motor wasn't happy unless going 80+ in 6th over.

 

[Woodenhead]

Well I did it. On Monday I brought my truck to Dan the gear man at Quad4x4 and had a 5600 put in. Dan was excellent to deal and runs a top notch operation, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone with more knowledge and experience on our transmissions, drivetrains and especialy the conversions. While he had my truck he checked out my steering, brakes, transfer case.....



I also ended up getting all new U joints, new South bend FE and flywheel, track bar and some parts for my 4WD which had been acting up but is now working like new.



As far as the transmission goes so far I'm loving it, the closer ratios are great no more big jumps between shifts and it shifts just fine.



Now I just need to get rid of the old 4500 and related parts.



Mike

 

[JFinke]

Well I did it. On Monday I brought my truck to Dan the gear man at Quad4x4 and had a 5600 put in. Dan was excellent to deal and runs a top notch operation, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone with more knowledge and experience on our transmissions, drivetrains and especialy the conversions. While he had my truck he checked out my steering, brakes, transfer case.....



I also ended up getting all new U joints, new South bend FE and flywheel, track bar and some parts for my 4WD which had been acting up but is now working like new.



As far as the transmission goes so far I'm loving it, the closer ratios are great no more big jumps between shifts and it shifts just fine.



Now I just need to get rid of the old 4500 and related parts.



Mike

Why didn't you bring mine back when you came. I ordered one from him on Tuesday and am having it shipped. It would've been here already. Jake

 

[JStieger]

Well I did it. On Monday I brought my truck to Dan the gear man at Quad4x4 and had a 5600 put in. Dan was excellent to deal and runs a top notch operation, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone with more knowledge and experience on our transmissions, drivetrains and especialy the conversions. While he had my truck he checked out my steering, brakes, transfer case.....



I also ended up getting all new U joints, new South bend FE and flywheel, track bar and some parts for my 4WD which had been acting up but is now working like new.

Woodenhead-



I got there Thursday morning to get my Con FE installed on my '03. I did the 1600 mile roundtrip mini-roadtrip/vacation. It was a long ways to go for a clutch, but worth it IMO. The awesome scenery and microbrews made it even more worthwhile!

 

[Turbo Thom]

My US Gear overdrive unit has been on 4 different NV4500 trannys. Next time I will install the 5600 and remove the overdrive unit. I dearly love the OD unit but the transmission is not strong enough to stay with me. I tow 15000 and run at 300 HP. As far as the OD staying with the HP, that has not been a problem with me. The transmission is just weak.



. . Preston. .

 

[Woodenhead]

"Why didn't you bring mine back when you came. I ordered one from him on Tuesday and am having it shipped. It would've been here already. Jake"



Because I didn't know you ordered one. What did you get a 4500 or a 5600? He had a couple 4500s on the floor but mine was the only 5600 at the time. Too bad it didn't work out, I coulda saved you a few $$ on shipping.



Taker easy,

Mike

 

[Woodenhead]

Woodenhead-



I got there Thursday morning to get my Con FE installed on my '03. I did the 1600 mile roundtrip mini-roadtrip/vacation. It was a long ways to go for a clutch, but worth it IMO. The awesome scenery and microbrews made it even more worthwhile!

I agree, a long ways to go but worth it. I'll drive a long way for good service and piece of mind and you definately get that from Dan. He mentioned he had a guy coming from Nevada for a clutch in an 03. Is this your first FE? If so you'll like it, once it's broken in it'll get a little grabby but you'll learn to run it so it doesn't get too jerky. If you pull you'll want some way to get it in 2 Low for backing up (if you can with the '03).



Mike

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Wow good for you Woodenhead. I would really like to check out your rig sometime. I can only imagine how a 6-speed 12-valve drives. I drive up to Wenatchee from time to time because my brother lives there, I could make a side trip and look you up



Now did I read right it was a new transmission? I know they did some improvements to the NV5600 between 2000 and the 3rd Gen trucks because all the various trucks I've driven the 3rd Gens shift more nicely.



Vaughn

 

[Woodenhead]

Hi Vaughn,



Yep, brand new transmission not used or rebuilt but brand spanking new . The 5600 seems like a perfect match for the 12 valve, it's like you always have the perfect gear never a big jump going up or down. I can't wait to hook up the boat. I doesn't fall into gear as easy as the 4500, Dan says it's because of the different syncros and oil the 5600 uses (the extra rotating weight can't help either). However, I think it shifts just fine I give it a little double clutch and match the RPMs to help it along in the low gears but it really isn't necessary.



By all means, send me a PM if your on your way up some time and stop by. If I head down your way I'll be sure to do the same.



Taker easy,

Mike