Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Oil for 4500 5 Speed

[GPVargo]

I know Dodge says to use there special (Expensive) oil for this transmission.
Has any one found a suitable substitute to use in this.
I am not worried about the warranty because the truck has over 120K miles.
Any help would be great.

Also I heard somewhere about a fix for the 5th gear problems on this also.

Thanks

PS. I have a 98 3500 12 valve 4X4 with the 4500 5 Speed

 

[SVick]

I just put this transmission in my Jeep last weekend. I did much research and the proper oil for it is Red Line MTL. It is full synthetic GL4 and their web site even lists it as an approved oil for the 4500. Do not use any oil not for this trans. Other brands will offer oil for this also. I paid $11. 99/quart, not cheap.

 

[fest3er]

Amsoil make a GL4 lube suitable for the NV4500. PM me if you're interested.

 

[GAmes]

I have 6 qts of Amsoil for a 4500 I no longer need. Where are you located?

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

These issues were discussed in the TDR magazine years ago: Issue 30, p. 36 and Issue 31, p. 23. More recently, fifth gear was discussed in Issue 61, p. 20, and lubricants were re-visited in Issue 62, p. 21 (originally in Issue 33). Standard Transmission and Gear can help you with parts and advice (Standard Transmissions & Parts: Tremec - Borg Warner - New Venture - Getrag, Cummins, 4 speed transmission, 5 speed transmission, 6 speed transmission or 800-std-tran)

 

[SRath]

From the Amsoil website, it appears they offer different oil for the NV4500 than for the NV5600. What's up with that? And how the heck are you supposed to drain and change it anyway? A suction gun is not going to get the dirt and particles that settle to the bottom. What an oversight...

 

[fest3er]

From the Amsoil website, it appears they offer different oil for the NV4500 than for the NV5600. What's up with that? And how the heck are you supposed to drain and change it anyway? A suction gun is not going to get the dirt and particles that settle to the bottom. What an oversight...

The NV4500 and NV5600 require completely different lubes.

• 'MTG' (Synthetic Manual Transmission and Transaxle Gear Lube, 75W-90 GL4 lube) is suitable for use in the NV4500.
  
• 'MTF' (Synthetic Synchromesh Transmission Fluid, 5W-30 lube) is suitable for most other NV manual transmissions.

See Amsoil's Transmission Lubes list.

 

[Missouri Mule]

I just put in Amsoil in my NV4500. When I recommended a member to call Standard Transmission and Gear they told him they started using Amsoil.

 

[SRath]

I still want to know how you guys got the ALL the old oil and settled particles out of your NV4500 before you put that fresh new Amsoil in. . ?



As usual, I like how Mark (CumminsPower98) addressed the problem when he converted his NV4500 to an NV5600: He drilled and tapped a drain plug in the NV5600!! Amazing what injunears don't think of these days... Sometimes I'm surprised they opted to risk trying those newfangled, or is it 'old-fashioned?", round wheels. .

 

[CCiatteo]

If you look on the passenger side of the NV4500 there appears to be a spot for a drain plug, but it isn't drilled. Get the proper drill/tap and have at it. If you are dropping the fluid, it's the perfect time. I'll take a pic of what I am taking about later.

 

[GAmes]

It's easy to drain a 4500. Just pull the bottom bolts from the PTO covers. If you want to wipe the inside for all the residue just take one cover off.

 

[surfbeetle]

I have used Royal Purple for the last three oil changes. I have 194,000 miles on the original trans and fifth gear. The trick is to never lug the engine and keep fifth gear always over 2,000 rpms. If you can use 4th, then use it instead of fifth.

 

[wyhog1]

Just got some Mopar fluid for the NV4500 transmission, from the Dodge dealer in Billings, MT today... reg price is $23. 00 per quart... they marked it down to $18. 00... parts guy says they try and give a break on the cost... . much appreciated.

Expensive but it has worked for 80,000 miles so will stay with it.

 

[fest3er]

... reg price is $23. 00 per quart... they marked it down to $18. 00...

And someone said Amsoil is outrageously expensive!

 

[wyhog1]

amsoil

And someone said Amsoil is outrageously expensive!

Amsoil is expensive... just put a quart of it in my Harley transmission... $19. 00 a quart.

 

[GPVargo]

I have 6 qts of Amsoil for a 4500 I no longer need. Where are you located?

I am in Ohio, Thanks though

 

[GPVargo]

Thanks to all who posted, the info was very helpful.

 

[BBeckmann]

Anybody ever tried mobil 1 70w-90w synthetic gear lube? I think mobil one is supost 2 b rele good oil... ?

 

[WDixon27]

been running royal purple max gear 75/90 for over 3 years and it shifts great cold or hot, i have no idea how many miles this box has as it has junk yard paint on it and was there when i got it, it had god knows what in it when i bought it but id get the occasional grind till i went purple and it'll shift as fast as i want to any time without a burp, the spec's of the RP seemed to address the sulfur issue at high heat so i went for it and am happy

 

[GAmes]

Anybody ever tried mobil 1 70w-90w synthetic gear lube? I think mobil one is supost 2 b rele good oil... ?

It works fine in the differential. Don't put it in an NV4500, it is a metal compatable issue.