Why does my NV4500 always die?

[The patriot]

I'm still on the original.
Having said that, I'm at near stock HP level, and never exceeded the rated towing capacity.

 

[moparguy]

My '95 that's mildly turned up (300 hp'ish) and done quite a bit of work over it's life has about 300k on it. Back at about the 150k mark in 2003 as a PM measure I pulled the NV4500, carried it to Standard Transmission and had them install a fully splined mainshaft and freshen up anything that needed attention. All's good till last summer when I started hearing a niggling little noise I couldn't identify. So, after a couple months and a fluid change with SynTork (that didn't help), I pulled it again and took it down to Ft. Worth where Standard T found a outer bearing race in the 3rd gear cluster had started to gauld. $600 later all's good and no complaints.

In both cases Mrs. Mopar and I drove down to Old Ft. Worth and spent the night in the Cattleman Hotel, enjoyed a night of music and good food then picked the fresh transmission up the next day. Can't beat that kind of service.

As you might tell, I recommend Standard Transmission.