Whats known about the Nv3500

[DRU]

What does anyone know about the Nv3500. Want to use it for a conversion. What are the gear ratios, t-case options, and durability. I have seen an Nv3550, what is the difference, I also know there is a close ratio and wide ratio. thanks for any info.

 

[JKinney]

I know that when I bought a 99 1500 5sp it had a 3500 transmision. I believe it uses the same transmission fluid as the 5600. I towed 5,000 lbs with it often and never had a problem, but then again the 318 did not have a whole lot of power

 

[wcjp]

I also know they came standard in the late model Jeeps. Won't hold behind a Cummins.

 

[RMeskimen]

Do you think a 3500 would hold up behind a 4bt? Didn't Dakota's also come with a 4bt.

 

[MMeier]

Do you think a 3500 would hold up behind a 4bt? Didn't Dakota's also come with a 4bt.

No and No, respectively. IIRC, they were only rated for 350 ft lbs.

 

[RMeskimen]

Thanks and I just re-read my post. What a bonehead typo... What I meant was didn't the Dakotas come with the 3500? Thanks for the reply though.

 

[DDeFreece]

RMeskimen] - o you think a 3500 would hold up behind a 4bt?





No way

 

[BFaoro]

Yes

I have a 93 Dakota with the V6 that has the 3500. It is the oldest sons truck.

 

[DKarvwnaris]

RMeskimen] - o you think a 3500 would hold up behind a 4bt?





No way

As long as you run the crappy GM clutch so it can slip, and turn the pump DOWN. It sure would make a nice trailer baby for a car show. :-laf

There is little difference between the 4bt and 6bt. The power curves are only slightly different in torque. I guess if you want to protect the rear end, the 3500 will definitely tell you when you are putting too much to it.



Seriously though, the input shafts in the 3500 look like a tootpick compared to the nv-4500. You can damage a nv-4500 with a 4bta pulling, I've seen the results of one in a 3/4 chevy pickup. The 4bta had an inline pump and pulled a horse trailer every day of its life, a very hard life. The transmission was used, but in good shape when installed. The engine was still going last I heard from the owners.

 

[RMeskimen]

Thanks for all the info.



I still like the idea of sticking a 4bt in a 98 shortbed quadcab 2wd with a bad 12V. I don't know if I could bring myself to pull the 6bt if it wasn't "bad" and put the smaller motor in, but it sure would be a nice easy ride and good economy.

 

[DKarvwnaris]

Thanks for all the info.



I still like the idea of sticking a 4bt in a 98 shortbed quadcab 2wd with a bad 12V. I don't know if I could bring myself to pull the 6bt if it wasn't "bad" and put the smaller motor in, but it sure would be a nice easy ride and good economy.

Too bad Dodge never put this option out. If they were willing to put a 4cyl gas engine in a wrangler, you'd think this would be much less of a reach for them. I've been looking for a quad cab shortbed exactly for this purpose, but as you said, none of the diesel pickups are worth tearing apart if they run. Those that have bed engines usually have bad everything that I've seen.

 

[RMeskimen]

It would be a nice conversion though. If you bought a running truck you could most likely zero sum the 6bt for the 4bt through a sale or trade. Or you could keep the 6bt. You could do the swap so that it could easily be swapped back if the performance wasn't up to par or for the resale. This is the project I am leaning toward when I get back to the states.



It looks like the 08 regs are going to play havoc for a year or so (with diesel cars and small trucks) while everyone jockeys their small diesels to comply. It looks like MB will be the only one (VW is even taking a year off) with no lag. I know the fullsize trucks will take it in stride but after owning two Rams 2500 QC LB I don't need that big a truck.



I just returned from Thailand where there are some sweet midsized trucks. I have enclosed a pic of the Chevy Colorado 4x4 4 door with 3. 0L D-Max. In the background is an equivalent Isuzu. I couldn't find the owner to get some pics of the motor but it is pretty sharp. I hope the major manufactures get it all figured out by 2010.



I would think that a truck with the following would sell like hotcakes.

Midsized Four door with 5ft bed and other variants (Dakota type specs)

4wd or 2wd

175HP and 300 lb-ft

5000 lb towing capacity

Available manual OR automatic.

25mpg and under $25K.



I gotta think this is achievable.



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