Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Quad 4X4's Torque King 4500 transmission, who has one?

[FATCAT]

Since my 5th gear blew off on Monday it has been a mad scramble to look for a new 5-speed transmission for my truck.



Apparently there is a national back order on these and GM (apparently they have taken over production of them since New Venture was disolved), is not planning any production runs any time soon.



I contacted Quad 4X4 and ordered a new 4500 with the Torque King shaft and filter kit. I want to be sure that this 5th gear nut does NOT jump off again. And rebuilding the old transmission with the a new fully splined main shaft and 5th gear, but keeping all the old 1-4th gears and stuff just doesn't make sense to me if I'm planning on keeping the truck for at least 3 more years if not more.



Question: Who has one of these Torque King trannies form Quad 4X4, and how happy are you with it? No problems?



My truck will be down for about 2+ weeks (which stinks )

 

[SRadke]

I tried to get a mainshaft from Quad at one point but availability was limited and I had to buy the whole transmission to get it. I opted for the fully splined shaft from standard trans instead.



I've installed three of them now and none have given me any trouble. In fact, just this week I had to take one apart because he ate up his two fifth gears (we're talking teeth missing... . ugly) and I had to put a 4 foot pipe on a 3/4 drive ratchet to get it loose. I don't see how it would have ever come of on it's own.



-Scott

 

[FATCAT]

I tried to get a mainshaft from Quad at one point but availability was limited and I had to buy the whole transmission to get it. I opted for the fully splined shaft from standard trans instead.



I've installed three of them now and none have given me any trouble. In fact, just this week I had to take one apart because he ate up his two fifth gears (we're talking teeth missing... . ugly) and I had to put a 4 foot pipe on a 3/4 drive ratchet to get it loose. I don't see how it would have ever come of on it's own.



-Scott

So are you saying you have installed three new trannies with the Torque King main shaft and none have given the owners any problems?

Also, are you saying that one of the trannies you helped install (with the Torque King shaft), had to be repaired because it too, had a 5th gear failure?

 

[SRadke]

No, sorry if I wasn't clear. I've installed three fully splined mainshafts from Standard Transmission and gear. I tried to get a mainshaft from Quad 4x4 because they were suppose to be like the greatest thing ever but I couldn't buy just the shaft.



Of the three shafts I have installed (none were "torque king" shafts) none have had a nut back off. I did have to take one back apart for a diffrent reason and from my experience takeing it apart I don't see how the nut would have ever backed off. Sorry for the confusion.



-Scott

 

[FATCAT]

No, sorry if I wasn't clear. I've installed three fully splined mainshafts from Standard Transmission and gear. I tried to get a mainshaft from Quad 4x4 because they were suppose to be like the greatest thing ever but I couldn't buy just the shaft.



Of the three shafts I have installed (none were "torque king" shafts) none have had a nut back off. I did have to take one back apart for a diffrent reason and from my experience takeing it apart I don't see how the nut would have ever backed off. Sorry for the confusion.



-Scott

OK ... your first post wasn't clear to me. I guess I'm just concerned puting a new main shaft and new 5th gear into a transmission with other parts that have 200K on them. I NEED this truck to tow and to last for some time to come.



I had plans of a new truck in a year or two, but that is now just a pipe dream due to costs of new trucks and changing financial situations. My 1997 will most likely be the last new truck I will ever be able to afford ... so I need to make sure I have a good transmission.

 

[RT66DOC]

So... you're saying a rebuilt 5spd from Std Trans would be a pretty reliable unit? I'm still debating but only want to do this once. Seems like one could do a 6spd swap (rebuilt NV5600) for less than a new NV4500 with the Torque King. :-{}

 

[FATCAT]

So... you're saying a rebuilt 5spd from Std Trans would be a pretty reliable unit? I'm still debating but only want to do this once. Seems like one could do a 6spd swap (rebuilt NV5600) for less than a new NV4500 with the Torque King. :-{}

No way you could get a NV5600 conversion for less than the 4500 with the TK ($3,250).

Plus there are no more parts for the NV5600 (once they brake down the road you'll be stuck), the 4500 is still being made, though in limited quantities.

 

[SRadke]

So... you're saying a rebuilt 5spd from Std Trans would be a pretty reliable unit?

Did I say that? The only rebuild I've gotten from Standard Trans I put in a 92 as a Getrag conversion. This was a stock truck (no power mods) that tows goosnecks regularly. It chucked the snap ring that holds the fifth gear syncro and hub on. (edit: It did this after 38k miles and 17 months) I'm not saying they're bad but this was my only experience with their rebuilds. The rest of them I've rebuilt with their parts.



-Scott



PS. Please tell me $3250 for a rebuilt NV4500 is including a core charge? That's a rediculous number.

 

[FATCAT]

Did I say that? The only rebuild I've gotten from Standard Trans I put in a 92 as a Getrag conversion. This was a stock truck (no power mods) that tows goosnecks regularly. It chucked the snap ring that holds the fifth gear syncro and hub on. (edit: It did this after 38k miles and 17 months) I'm not saying they're bad but this was my only experience with their rebuilds. The rest of them I've rebuilt with their parts.



-Scott



PS. Please tell me $3250 for a rebuilt NV4500 is including a core charge? That's a rediculous number.

$3250 is for a brand new NV4500 with the Torque King main shaft and transmission filter and special 5th gear nut. No core charge, but the company removing/installing the old/new transmission are crediting me labor charge for the old transmission in exchange. Look at this link for info.



I want to make sure everthing in the case is NEW and not some new and the rest with 200K on it. I DON'T want to have to have the transmission opened again.



Its bad enought that I will be down for a week and a half or so ( I have a ton of tools at a job site I need to get home and can't till I have the truck back), I don't want to have to go through this again.

 

[Boomer II]

I'd go with a 6 speed, much better suited for towing as well as stronger.