Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) What was a 5spd is Now Only a 4spd

[NIsaacs]

I am not positive, but I think GAmes was talking about the front portion of the rear drive shaft? To match the flange to the transmission. However since your truck is 4x4 and will be using your transfer case, this might not be an issue?



Nick

 

[MStearns]

Now that I re-read it, I think your right. My mind immediately went to the front driveline. But yes, I'll have no flange issues as I will still be using my transfer case which will also take care of the speedometer sensor.

 

[GAmes]

It's a 4X4, absolutely no experience there. So did you have to source a trans from a 4X4? Please take some pictures and add them to my thread to show the different install.



Gary

 

[MStearns]

Yes, the trans I got was from a 4x4. Not sure if it had to be, but it is.



I will definately take pictures. With any luck my brother and I can knock it out the first week or two in July. I'm thinking if I have the crossmember already before we start, we can get it all done in a single weekend, with the exception of the drivelines of course.

 

[dieselburner]

I had a lot of problems with my NV4500 early on after I started turning up my Cummins. I broke the input shaft 3 times, the main shaft once, and stripped the teeth off of 5th once. To fix it I installed a chromolly input shaft, fully splined main shaft and rebuilt the trans with all new Timken bearings and REAL bronze synchros. No problems at all for about 7 or 8 years until about 3 months ago I broke the standard transmission keeper that is supposed to never ever break that holds 5th on. They wouldn't send me a replacement, so I ended up buying what looks like the same exact one on ebay along with a new 5th gear. The splines were still real tight. I bolted it up and ended up double nutting it (I still had one of the old nuts from the old jobs) and I hope it holds up for another 7 or 8 years. The truck has dynod at over 1000 foot pounds torque and I use it to pull my 14,000 pound trailer. So I can't complain too much. Plus it's fun to shut down the fords and chevys. And completely black out out the highway when you get on it hard.

 

[MStearns]

Picked up the transimission last nightOo. Getting ready to drain the fluid and pull the PTO covers so I can inspect it a little. Thanks to GAmes I will also be able to get the crossmember modified this weekend as well!

 

[MStearns]

Pulled the PTO covers off and the Shift tower... Looks like new inside. As well as it should with only 28,000 on it.

Can anyone confirm if the mount is the same as the NV4500? My tape measure certainly thinks it will fit. Also, are the bolts into the bottom of the transmission the same?? If I have to find bolts I'd rather do it now rather than with the transmission up in the air on a jack:-laf

 

[GAmes]

The stock mount fits, without the adapter. I used the bolts from the old transmission. I cut the exhaust pipe support off the adapter, bolted it to the crossmember and rewelded the bar to the pipe. I think you can see it on this pic, but will take a closer one if you need it.

 

[MStearns]

That's great, I hoped that the old bolts would work. I was thinking about trimming the exhaust mount off of the adapter and use it under the bolt on that side, like a washer... But I think your method might work better with my oversized exhaust.



Crossmember modifications are complete!

 

[GAmes]

Mark, I hate to tell you this, but there is a reason that Eric and I cut the entire raised portion of the mount. The front of yours will more than likely hit the bottom of the G56:{

 

[MStearns]

I have already discovered just that I definately out thought myself this time. Initially with all of my measurements I thought it would clear and had thought about just boxing the whole thing but figured I'd wait for a test fit. But yes, as I studied your pictures more carefully I figured I'd better head out to the garage and rig up a little test fit. It did fit but only with the crossmember slid all the way back. So... . I just got done doing a little trimming to ensure I have plenty of latitude when it comes time to install



No worries. Better to discover it now vice when I am wrestling to install it.

 

[GAmes]

Better to discover it now vice when I am wrestling to install it.

Absolutely. It sure looked good though. What does it look like now?

 

[Diesel Dummie]

Good read, parts for a 5600 are not as hard to find as everyone says, i just picked one up for 1200. 00 with a bad 5-6 syncro, got parts with no issues at all. I broke 5th in my 4500 once, was supposidly built by standard trans and have only 10K on it, fixed that, drove it another 6 months and destroyed 3 gear and the countershaft, so it came out and a 5600 put back in(came with one from the factory, long story). Good luck with your swap sounds like a good plan for what you do.

 

[MStearns]

What does it look like now?

Almost like I planned to do it:-laf

 

[GAmes]

Almost like I planned to do it:-laf

Nice rebound:-laf

 

[MStearns]

Working on a bracket to attach the 4wd shift lever. Does anyone know what the bolts, that connect the two halves of the G56, torque to??? They came loose very easy even though they had blue locktite on them.

 

[MStearns]

Tomorrow's the dayOo. Got my brother and a buddy coming over first thing and we'll see if we can make this thing happen.



Just finished the 4wd shifter and linkage. It turned out to be a little more involved that I had first thought After building a bracket and extending the linkage, I then had to bend the bottom portion of the shifter inboard to clear the front driveline. Not sure if retrofitting an 09' shifter would have been easier as I have never seen one, but I have a little over a day just wrapped up in the shifter & linkage between figuring and fabricating

So tomorrow I guess I get to see if all of this fits together!!

 

[MStearns]

Went for a test drive before dinner... Smooth as silkOo. It was suprisingly easy... Almost like it came from the factory with it. Still have to button up the interior. I'll post some more pics tomorrow.

 

[MStearns]

Project officially complete now!

Had to rework the 4WD shifter today. Discovered I couldn't get into Reverse or 2nd when in 4Low. Glad to find that out now vice later

Price tag for the swap was right at $4100. ($3107 for the transmission, shifter, core charge, tax & shipping; $780 for 13" Con-O Clutch from SBC; $50 to shorten the rear driveline; and $150 to retube the front diveline)



Special thanks to GAmes who gave me his spare crossmember for the cost of shipping. Couldn't have done this in one day without it! Thanks again.



Now I guess the only question is what do I do with the old NV4500?? Save it for a future project... or fix it and sell it to try and recoupe a little of the cost?

 

[GAmes]

NICE!!!Oo.



I sold mine, as is for $1500. Included the bellhousing, SBC clutch, shifter, everything including the slip yoke.