The NV4500 Manual Transmission

 

 

 

NV4500: General Information:

In 1992 Dodge and General Motors trucks started appearing in showrooms with one of the most versatile transmissions ever to be offered in a production truck: the New Venture Gear 4500. General Motors applications include it as an option in 3/4 and 1-ton full size trucks.  Dodge standard duty units come in trucks with the 5.2 and 5.9 liter engine, while Dodge HD versions are used with Cummins diesels and V10’s.

This transmission is a fully synchronized (except reverse on GM models) five-speed gearbox with all of the strength and low-gear benefits (and then some) of the older granny four-speeds, with a 27-percent overdrive. The cast iron case is combined with massive gear sets in an almost compact 200lb package. This unit shifts with a smooth, short action and very distinct shift gates. We consider it the premium manual trans swap for 4x4 vehicles.

Gear Ratios:

Current production Dodge NV4500 and GM NV4500 share the same gear ratios. Early GM units (93-94) were built with a lower first gear ratio of 6.34 to 1.0. These low-geared GM boxes have since been discontinued and are generally much more difficult to obtain. We are able to provide new and remanufactured NV4500s with these early gearsets.

Beginning in 95’, all GM units were built with the same gear ratios as the Dodge unit.

	GM 93-94	95/up GM; 93/up Dodge
First Gear	6.34	5.61
Second Gear	3.44	3.04
Third Gear	1.71	1.67
Fourth Gear	1.00	1.00
Fifth Gear	0.73	0.73
Reverse	6.34	5.61

Specifications

Dry weight:	195 lbs.
Oil capacity:	1 gallon
Rated GVW:	14,500 lbs.
Case material:	cast iron
Synchronizers:	Carbon fiber composite
Main/Counter shaft bearings:	Timken tapered roller

Dimensions

NV4500	GM (6.34)	GM (5.61)	Dodge	Dodge HD
Main case	12.375"	12.375"	12.375"	12.375"
4WD Adapter Housing	8.125	8.125	6.25	6.25
2WD Tailhousing	6" Tailhousing	6" Tailhousing	13" Tailhousing	13" Tailhousing
Yoke	Fixed Yoke	Fixed Yoke	30 spl Slip yoke	31 spl Slip yoke
Input shaft stickout	6.625	6.625	7.625	7.625
Input shaft spline	1.125" 10spl	1.125" 10spl	1.125" 10spl	1.250" 10spl
Pilot Dia	.590"	.590"	.750"	.750"

 

Bearing Retainer specification

 

	Bellhousing	T/O bearing
	Index Dia.	Snout Dia.
GM NV4500  1993-95	5.125"	1.373"
GM NV4500  1996 and up	5.60"	none: Int Slave Cyl
Dodge NV4500 Standard Duty	5.60"	1.43"
Dodge NV4500 Heavy Duty	5.60"	1.75

Bellhousing Bolt Pattern:

• GM 1993-1995  10.078 across the top, 10.394 across the bottom, 4.685 vertically
• GM 1996 + up   10.078 across the top, 9.738 across the bottom, 6.043 vertically
• Dodge (All)        10.078 across the top, 9.738 across the bottom, 6.043 vertically

Shifter Stub Specification

The NV4500 shifter will have a short stub sticking up from the top cover, There are 3 different methods by which a shifter extension handle attaches:

• Dodge NV4500 1993-1999   A short, square stub sticks up
• Dodge NV4500 1999-up        Threaded stub, 14mm x 1.5 pitch threads
• GM NV4500 (All)                      Threaded stub, 12mm x 2.0 pitch threads 

Lubrication:
You MUST use the correct synthetic lubricant. The GM part no. for the correct oil is 12346190 (quart). The Dodge part number for the same oil is 4874459   Use of ANY other oil in the NV4500 will lead to failure and also voids any chance of a warranty claim.