Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) nv5600

[SAndreasen]

Is the nv 5600 any more reliable the nv 4500

 

[Grizzly]

Much more reliable. For one, the NV5600 doesn't the infamous 5th gear nut problem. In my opinion the NV5600 is the best and most reliable standard transmission Dodge has ever had.

 

[SAndreasen]

Thanks for the reply I just had the gear come apart on my nv4500 and ive got another one out of a two wheel drive that the synchro came apart on the fifth gear and went thru the aluminium adapter housing

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

The biggest problem with the 6spd is that is it so HEAVY. Parts can be relatively hard to come by as well. Blumenthal's, for one, has parts and expertise to help you over the phone, but you will most certainly need to mail order everything. They are real good trannys, but they are not bullet proof.....

 

[RVTRKN]

Plan to replace my POS G56, as soon as I can afford, with the NV5600. I don't care what the cost will be, had one in my 04.5 (see sig) and loved it.

 

[SAndreasen]

Plan to replace my POS G56, as soon as I can afford, with the NV5600. I don't care what the cost will be, had one in my 04.5 (see sig) and loved it.

So the g56 is no good either ?

 

[SAndreasen]

The biggest problem with the 6spd is that is it so HEAVY. Parts can be relatively hard to come by as well. Blumenthal's, for one, has parts and expertise to help you over the phone, but you will most certainly need to mail order everything. They are real good trannys, but they are not bullet proof.....

It just seems like ive always got a nv4500 blown up in something every time I turn around . Just hoping the 5600 would be built better ?

 

[Woodenhead]

It just seems like ive always got a nv4500 blown up in something every time I turn around . Just hoping the 5600 would be built better ?

I'm sure you know to keep an extra quart of fluid in the 5600?

 

[Woodenhead]

The biggest problem with the 6spd is that is it so HEAVY...

How is that a problem? Availability of parts was scaring me for a while there but it looks like that's getting better.

 

[SAndreasen]

I'm sure you know to keep an extra quart of fluid in the 5600?

I think you mean the 45??

 

[SAndreasen]

How is that a problem? Availability of parts was scaring me for a while there but it looks like that's getting better.

Ive been looking around on eBay and the supplier I get 4500 parts from looks like I can get anything I need to Pretty much make a 5600 from scratch if I needed to.

 

[Woodenhead]

I think you mean the 45??

No I meant the 5600. It has issues with getting oil to a rear bearing, pulling the tower and adding an extra quart (6 instead of 5) helps this. I think the old getrags had a similar deal.

 

[SAndreasen]

After looking at prices I don't think I can afford to do the upgrade to a nv5600 anytime soon

 

[NIsaacs]

How is that a problem?

I would guess he was refurring to an R&R, for like a clutch change. They are so dang heavy they are kind of dangerous to handle. I use 2 nylon safety straps around the frame and transmission/t-case combo just in case it should fall off the jack.

Nick

 

[NIsaacs]

So the g56 is no good either ?

If you tow, any 6 speed is a good thing. I would not be afraid of the G-56, it is 10 years old and still going strong. Keep your eyes open for wrecked 6 spd truck. You can almost buy one for the price of a rebuilt transmission because you don't have a core to exchange. That way you would have everything you need for a swap.

Nick

 

[RVTRKN]

The G56, compared to a NV5600, is junk, if you go with a G56, plan on adding coolers and keep in mind the syncro's cost more than a new trans. Syncro's and gears are monopolized by Mercedes Benz and are expensive if you lose any part on the G56. If you have to convert to a 6spd get the NV5600.

 

[Woodenhead]

I would guess he was refurring to an R&R, for like a clutch change. They are so dang heavy they are kind of dangerous to handle. I use 2 nylon safety straps around the frame and transmission/t-case combo just in case it should fall off the jack.

Nick

I see. I just make sure it's well balanced on the transmission jack and do the t-case separate. You're right though it's still a bit spooky under there, it'd kill ya if it ended up on top of you.
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[SAndreasen]

Wow that thing is massive I'll have to call some junk yards and see what they have .

 

[JR]

Pretty similar to pulling an automatic, although I think the NV has a few pounds over a 47. If you factor hanging weight, with TC and full of fluids they are pretty close in weight.

 

[pgleavitt]

When my transmission finally went south with 308,000 miles on it I replaced it with a rebuild from Blumenthal. I also upgraded to the larger input shaft found in the 2001 and after transmission. The guy I delt with was Monty( no longer working for them) and they had no problem with the different input shaft size from my core. He also told me to overfill it by 3 quarts from the shift tower. Make sure to use the recommended oil which can be purchased from them for alot less than other sources. He related that he had seen alot of cores that used other oils such as Redline (my choice) Royal purple, Amsoil and told me he thought the recommended oil was best and also other oils would void the warrenty.
I use my truck to tow a heavy 5th wheel (28,000 gvw truck and trailer. I know over legal gvw) and long trips @ 75 mph freeway speeds empty. My truck is above stock power level and I drive it hard. The clutch is a Southbend dual friction complete setup with flywheel so when you backup into a space you best do it before the clutch gets hot or it's very grabby. I would also recommend the P.T.O. trans coolers
These trannys are very heavy and I used a commercial grade class 8 transmission jack. A floor jack is not the way to go with this beast. Good luck