Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) NV5600 & Synchro's

[Froadin]

Ok, for those of you with the Amsoil MTF, how many miles do you have on it? And were you consistantly having the issues with previously different fluids?



I would honestly think if we have to change the fluid so often, there is some other factor that is causing this. Like too high of temperatures that lead to a premature breakdown, etc.

 

[NVR FNSH]

You cant expect a true TRUCK to drive like a sports car and just suck into gear everytime and quick too.

My trans shifted like butter, I mean as in the smoothest shifting trans I've ever driven, for ~2 weeks after the dealer put the LSD friction modifier in the trans. These transmissions can shift smoothly... ...



Brian

 

[Tomeygun]

My trans shifted like butter, I mean as in the smoothest shifting trans I've ever driven, for ~2 weeks after the dealer put the LSD friction modifier in the trans. These transmissions can shift smoothly... ...



Brian

Does it still? Or did it wear off?

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Unfortunately, the only normal feedback an owner has relative to various transmission lubes, is in the shift characteristics. And unless a given alternative lube causes the transmission to instantly puke it's guts out onto the driveway, there's not much way to know what related circumstances are at work when lubes other than what DC/NV specify are used.



There are a significant number of characteristics required of a lube in a given transmission for best OVERALL performance, reliability and lifespan - and shift quality is only ONE of those!



I suppose that if noticeably improved shift quality is evident to an owner - and any accompanying increased internal transmission problems are created that won't be evident for many 10's of thousand miles, it's no big deal,



After all the truck will probably be replaced long before a potentially less capable lube is used, and for the short term user, shift quality may well be the major consideration.



But for some of us, especially those who work their trucks hard and keep their trucks for longer periods, proper lube specs might be more important than general shift quality. And as far as I know, only the DC/Texaco and Pennzoil transmission lubes meet what DC and NV specify for the NV5600.



Not intended to create hostilities, just one owners perspective and opinion.

 

[nps]

Third time you've posted that on this thread Gary. Think we all get the message.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Originally Posted by NVR FNSH

My trans shifted like butter, I mean as in the smoothest shifting trans I've ever driven, for ~2 weeks after the dealer put the LSD friction modifier in the trans. These transmissions can shift smoothly... ...



Brian



Does it still? Or did it wear off?

Shifted like butter for ~2 weeks. I'm currently running Redline MTL and will changing to Torco RTF soon. The Redline MTL was a marginal improvement over the dealer supplied DC spec'd fluid.



Brian

 

[maxburk]

I finally took the plunge. I have 100k on the transmission in a 2001. I am now running Amsoil with one bottle of the Dodge additive. Just changed it today and will update as I roll over some miles.

Discussed the problem with the parts guy in Loveland Co. He indicated that some of their teck's were using the additive on the 5600.

 

[pwr2tow]

Here is a copy of the e-mail I sent to Dodge, we'll see if I get a response.



My question is: Are the actions of the technician adding the Mopar Limited Slip Axle Lubricant Additive a proper repair? If so, has a TSB for hard shifting been issued?, or will Dodge look into this as a viable repair? Michael Fenn

Any response yet?

 

[AKDrifter]

I took the plunge also last night by adding the FM from the dealer ($7. 02).



What I will do is after my trip to AK and back, drain the NV oil get an anallisis done and post the numbers. If someone elce can post #s from a non FM added drain, maybe we can compare the two and see if there are any major differences.



I'm at 88k... ... drain will be at 96k, having gone 30k on Redline MTL with the last 8k with the FM added.



Will this do us any good?

 

[GEdwards]

Anyone using anything else?



I have Amsoil MTF in mine and it also improved shifting at first. Now I have like 7000 miles on it and the transmission does not seem as smooth at all. Maybe worse then before I changed it at 36k.



4th and 5th are not smooth at all. 3rd isnt bad and 6th is good though.



I see the Torco RTF is only rated for 75/90, 80/90 or 10/30, 10/40. The stock fluid is 5w30 I do believe. Anyone think this meets the specs?



Anything better? I can get the Amsoil cheap, as I have a preferred customer account, but I don't want to change it as much as my engine oil



Also, I have 3rd to 4th grind when cold, say under 20 degrees at first. Although I can't compare to the stock fluid because I didn't have the truck with the stock fluid when it was cold.

 

[Silver_Ram]

The stock fluid is thinner than 5W-30. I am starting to wonder if New Venture really put that much thought into the fluid that was developed.



I took the truck out again tonight - it still shifts great. The Amsoil MTF has about 3,800 miles on it & about 1,000 miles since the FM was introduced.



The next test will be, when I change the fluid the next time. I don't plan on putting the additive in, unless after driving it proves I do need it.



I have have the Fast Coolers on my trans & so the amount of FM to oil is lower than those without the coolers.



Has anyone tried the 75W=90 gear oil. A friend of mine that works on trans & axles told me every NV5600 he repairs, leaves with synthetic 75W-90 & he hasn't had any complaints.



The tech that introduced my trans to the FM, has not had to do any repeats of the FM in any of the vehicles he's added it to. (Dodge cars & trucks)

 

[MCummings]

I was running 5w-30 Motor oil in mine for atleast 60,000 miles. ALL over 1,000 Lbs of input torque (and plenty of drag racing and towing. I have a 54' flatbed trailer... ) Just a had a trans shop tear it down as I blew up a clutch, and everything looked near cherry. I'm going to pop in the bigger input shaft, and put in some 5w-30 again, and continue down the road...



Last dyno was 516rwhp and 1038rwtq on my "daily" tune.



Merrick



P. S. I see our resident "armchair mechanic" has once again graced us with his presence.

 

[pwr2tow]

I read on another site where a guy used 5-30 mobil 1 engine oil in his NV5600 with 100,000 mile change outs, he now has over 300,000 miles on it. He tows for a living. The synthetic 5-30 is more sheer stable than conventional 5-30 engine oil.



I'am running redline MTL at the moment and find nothing different than the stock fluid.

 

[Buffalo]

Hohn,



At the time of my first trans. lube change, I contacted the local Texaco distributor to see if I could buy the proper fluid directly from them. They did not think that Texaco was building a special fluid just for the NV-5600's. Their opinion was that the fluid sold to Mopar was an "already on the shelf" product that was re-bottled/packaged in the Mopar bottles.



So, I called Texaco Headquarters. They would not give me any info. that would indicate they are selling, to Mopar, an already built fluid. I can understand that they are trying to protect their relationship with Mopar & would not want to jeopardize that trust by telling me that the Mopar stuff is something we all can buy from Texaco.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Buffalo]

Regarding the Torco fluid, it would be interesting to see what Joseph Donnelly's results have been.



He's the first person, that I know of, that has tried Torco fluid & is very good at finding & testing unique products.



I wonder if he's noticed a degrading of shifting quality, over time, as others have with other products.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[pwr2tow]

TTT for more feed back.

 

[pwr2tow]

Well I tried it today. About 3 ounces and 120 miles later I would say it shifts worse. I'll be changeing the fluid out soon for some fresh fluid.

 

[Blu-meanie]

Any more updates on this?

 

[NVR FNSH]

I put in the Torco RTF about 2 weeks ago and have not noticied any improvement in shifting - seems on par with the Redline MTF or stock fluid IMO.



Brian

 

[GEdwards]

I put in the Redline MTL



I like it.



Shifts better then the Amsoil. Which I only had for 6k or so. The stuff came out like water. Going in it was thinner then the Redline as well.



I cannot comment on temps. I have a transmission temp gauge sender for my EDGE Juice with Attitude but you have to drain the fluid to put it in. I just changed the fluid, so I kinda don't wanna do it. I may try to drain it and put it back in so I can intstall the temp sender.