Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) what trans is in my truck?

[MFerraro]

i have been doing some research about transmissions for my truck. 1995 ram 3500 dually, 4wd, 5 speed manual, cummins, 4:10 rear end, 11,000 lb. gvw. it seems i have started a bit of controversy with the local dodge boys. i went to the local dodge dealer with my vin number. 1st they tell me info from factory for that old of a truck is sketchy. going by vin # they say truck has an nv4500 trans, but 5th gear is direct drive. they claim that was only manual trans available in that truck. the local dodge boys claim otherwise. they claim it is not an nv4500, and could very well be od in 5th gear. truck is completely stock. stock tires, not oversize. at 55 mph tach is 1900 rpm. what do you guys think?

 

[NIsaacs]

If it is all original, it has to be a NV4500 overdrive transmission. With 4. 10 gears, in 5th, it should tach about 2600 at 80 mph.



The gear venders mentioned in your other thread is available for your truck and is a direct bolt on. It bolts to the back of the transfercase so you can not use overdrive with the front axle engaged. You also can not use an exhaust brake in overdrive. It shifts like an auto so no gear grinding, but it requires a minimum of 20 mph to shift up so that makes it not work in 1st or mostly even 2nd.



Nick

 

[GAmes]

I suggest you get a factory service manual, turn to the description of the HD NV4500 and educate the morons you spoke to.

 

[MFerraro]

Thanks for the info on the gear venders. I mentioned in my other thread that I had looked sat their website. They don't mention any of the limitations that are brought to light in the above thread. I spoke some more with some local Dodge owners. Your explanation of the workings of the Gear Venders unit brings up one of the points shown to me by the locals. You talk about the gear venders not working in 1st or possibly 2nd gear. The shift knob on the truck is labeled different than the knobs on their trucks. My shifter knob is labeled L, 1, 2, 3, D the D has a circle around it. They also feel that I may have a different trans because the truck is rated for 11,000 lbs. They seem to think that since it exceeds 10,000 lbs, it was given a different transmission. I have also been told there is supposed to be a tag somewhere on the trans that will settle all this. I will look for it.

 

[SRadke]

In stock form you have the NV4500. It is overdrive in 5th and the rpm you describe is right on the money. It is entirely possible someone put a Ford ZF shift knob on it.

-Scott

 

[Gasmasher]

the 94, 95 and possibly 96 model trucks [can't remeber]had L,1,2,3,od on shifter. 97 up had 1,2,3,4,5 on shifter. you have a nv4500 trans in your truck with a overdrive 5th gear. Your local Dodge store must not work on many trucks.

 

[Missouri Mule]

My Mule which was built in Jan 96 has 1-2-3-5-R on the shifter handle(in double H pattern).

 

[MFerraro]

Thanks for all the replys guys. I mentioned above I was going to look for an ID tag on the trans. Well, I looked and looked, but no tag that I could find. I did find some casting no. s on the passenger side of transmission case. 4166 / C-1815 I don't know if they are of any value. As far as the shifter knob being from a Ford, I am friends with the gentleman that purchased the truck new, it is original. I did find a tag on the transfer case. New Process Mod# 241 DHD. Nice to hear that someone else is in agreement with my mph/rpm numbers. I am almost convinced that I have an NV4500 & it is OD in high gear as most all of you seem to think, I just want to get a little more solid proof.

 

[SRadke]

The trans tag should be an aluminum strip between two PTO cover bolts on the drivers side.

 

[surfbeetle]

... My shifter knob is labeled L, 1, 2, 3, D the D has a circle around it. They also feel that I may have a different trans because the truck is rated for 11,000 lbs. They seem to think that since it exceeds 10,000 lbs, it was given a different transmission. I have also been told there is supposed to be a tag somewhere on the trans that will settle all this. I will look for it.

Your shifter is original. I am the original owner of my 95 2500 and I too have the same label. The D with a circle around it is really an O around the D for Over Drive. When new, I also had the 4. 10 gearing and could barely do 85 downhill with the wind at my back. I since have changed it to the 3. 54 and am much happier. My trans has been out only once, last year to have the clutch changed after 185,000 miles and then reinstalled untouched.

 

[JMcCoy]

YOU HAVE A NV4500 W/OD!!! These guys know what they are talking about. They have all said the same thing. If you want more proof, pull it out and take it apart.

 

[MFerraro]

Thanks guys for all the replies. I went to another Dodge dealer and inquired about my trans. He is in complete agreement with you all. Someone above mentioned the tag location. No, I have no tag there. A pto to drive the hydraulic unit for the dump bed had been installed on the passenger side of the trans. by the original owner. Perhaps they removed both covers to do the install and didn't put the tag back.

 

[MFerraro]

Now that everyone has convinced me that I have an NV4500 w/OD, I ask, should I be concerned about the "nut coming loose" problem that I have read about? Should I do a preemtive strike and fix it or just drive it and not worry? You thoughts.

 

[GAmes]

Just drive it, they don't all come off. If it does, all that happens is you lose 5th gear. I lost mine in N. D. and drove all the way to TX with only 4 gears. So just be prepared. If you are going down the highway and all of a sudden you are coasting, just shift down to fourth and call whoever helps you when you need a mechanic.

 

[MFerraro]

Sounds like a plan to me. I was just concerned the nut would fall into the trans and wreck things. I had asked the dealer about it but he didn't offer much other than it could happen.

Thanks again for all the help

 

[GAmes]

The nut doesn't fall anywhere. It and the gear just slide back on the shaft and free spin. With a little search you should be able to find some pictures of it and the fully splined shaft, which is the best fix.

 

[JMcCoy]

Try not to "lug" the motor too much in 5th gear, as this helps cause the nut to back off.