Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) What are my options?

[EgorEmery]

I have a 2003 3500 Quad cab 4X2 single axle with a 5 speed manual. I have 3/4 synchronizer grinding. I tow small trailers loaded with motorcycles when I tow, but I expect to be able to tow what ever with this truck.



I have read many threads trying to educate myself about this transmission, and service options. Now I am really confused about what I can do to fix my problem. This past November I visited my local dealer who gave the the choice of a $5000 replacement with a 100K warranty, and a $3000 repair of the transmission with minimal warranty. I need a better option.



This forum saved me $800 on my recent adventures with a transfer pump failure which stranded me roadside returning home from the Sebring 12 hours. I hope y'all can come through again.



egor

 

[RustyJC]

You might want to Google or search this forum for Standard Transmission and Blumenthal's.



Rusty

 

[EgorEmery]

I have seen the posts mentioning Standard, Bluementhal's, and Quad. Last night I found threads about obsoleting the NV4500. I want to find a solution that will last a long time and if it does fail somewhere out there I can find parts.

egor

 

[HBarlow]

The NV-4500s are junk, too light for the engine they are used with. Under routine towing that transmission will repeatedly fail.

If you want a durable transmission that will also provide much better towing performance swap it for either a NV-5600 or G-56 six speed manual.

See GAmes' posts of several months ago.

 

[RustyJC]

I have seen the posts mentioning Standard, Bluementhal's, and Quad. Last night I found threads about obsoleting the NV4500. I want to find a solution that will last a long time and if it does fail somewhere out there I can find parts.



egor

In that case, I agree with Harvey. Upgrade the transmission to something more suitable.



Rusty

 

[dcoffman]

Emery, try Blumenthal, they have reman's for around 1500.
Harvey I have to disagree with you. The 5600 need to have the rear housing drill out for more oil to the rear bearing: then it's a great transmission. The G-56 will not take hard pulling all the time . The Alum. case will expand and the bearing freeze. With proper lube the 4500 & 5600 are the better choices. My experience. I do like the gearing on the G-56 but that's all.
You can also just get the synchro's and have a shop replace them.

 

[HBarlow]

Emery, try Blumenthal, they have reman's for around 1500.
Harvey I have to disagree with you. The 5600 need to have the rear housing drill out for more oil to the rear bearing: then it's a great transmission. The G-56 will not take hard pulling all the time . The Alum. case will expand and the bearing freeze. With proper lube the 4500 & 5600 are the better choices. My experience. I do like the gearing on the G-56 but that's all.
You can also just get the synchro's and have a shop replace them.

DCoffman,

Edit:

On reflection I guess I wasn't clear. I should have said more to distinguish the two choices in six speeds available.

I mentioned the aluminum case G-56 as an alternative only because NV-5600s are in short supply and parts are harder to find now. Personally, I consider the G-56 inherently weak and undesirable. I do think the G-56 is a much better choice than the NV-4500.

I have never owned a NV-4500 but GAmes, a fellow TDR member and RV transporter is a friend of mine. He told me he experienced routine failures of NV-4500s as long as he owned one. He had them rebuilt by Standard Transmission and they still failed under continuous towing, not due to any defect in workmanship by Standard, just the weakness of the unit. He finally became disgusted with the frequent failures and retrofitted a G-56 into his '97 Ram dually.

A NV-5600 in my '01 Dodge did a good job until the big main bearing got noisy at around 300k. Standard rebuilt the transmission at 302k and it is still in service today with another owner. I should admit, I allowed the fluid to get a little low and may have contributed to the demise earlier than it might have occured otherwise.

I would not want a G-56 or a dual mass flywheel assembly. I consider the old NV-5600 the better product of all three.

 

[Hillflyer]

Emery, If you are towing light like that, the NV-4500 is capable of that. Now, if your rodding your truck that will be completely different story. How many 100,000's of miles do you want it to last and how do you drive?I would say the lest expensive would be to have a rebuild by a reputable shop and have them do the modifications that improve the main shaft and synchs, and improve the oil flow to the bearings. I would also have the clutch upgraded when it gives out or while they are in there fixing the transmission. Money wise, just wait until the clutch starts to act up. But a pilot bushing and throw-out bearing are relatively cheap while its down.



If your hot-rodding , they don't make a big enough transmission to last forever.

 

[dcoffman]

The only failures I've read about or seen is the 5th gear nut. Mine came off every 52k. The last time it came off I took it to the local dealer. I did not check behind them and they didn't put fluid back in there. The thrust bearing went out sqealing. I checked the oil and could not touch it. My fault ,I should have checked behind them. It had 160k on it at that time. Had I checked behind the dealer I don't think it would have given up. I had the main shaft changed out while it was apart. Don't tow heavy under 1800rpm in 5th gear,drop to 4th and the nut stays on longer.