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The NV4500 Transmission, Information, Installations and Reviews |
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The NV4500 transmission is considered to be the toughest and most
reliable 5 speed manual transmission ever built. Robust and
reliable, this 5 speed transmission was supplied in pickup trucks (up to 1
Ton) and is a popular replacement in older trucks with 4 speeds. It
is also a popular replacement for 5 speed transmissions used in other 1
ton trucks, such as the Ford ZF or the Getrag (as used in Dodge Diesels
before Dodge went to the NV4500). It is also the most popular truck 5
speed to be used in building up extreme Jeeps, Broncos and other hard core
short wheelbase off road vehicles.
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Heavy
duty top loading
- Fully synchronized
- Cast iron case
- Aluminum top cover
- Dual PTO ports
- All helical gears
- Granny low first gear for towing or off-road
- Fifth gear overdrive for good gas mileage
The NV4500 transmission has a case length of just 12.37", making it
the perfect transmission conversion for short wheel base vehicles such
as Jeeps, Broncos and Toyota Land Cruisers.
NV4500's are great replacement in older trucks with 4 speeds, plus it is
also a popular replacement for 5 speed transmissions used in newer
trucks. If you happen to have a Dodge 3/4 or 1 ton truck with one of the
weak GETRAG transmissions, then the NV4500 transmission is the answer to
your problem. . The NV4500 has stronger gears, better case and improved
bearings, plus it evens allows you to retain your stock clutch setup.
The NV4500 transmission can be adapted to practically any application.
It’s often cheaper to swap in a NV4500 into a Jeep instead of rebuilding
the problematic factory Jeep transmission. PLUS, it's an easy swap when
you use a Dodge version of the NV4500 transmission, because all that’s
needed is a bell housing adapter plate. Additionally, on Dana 300
applications the Dodge version is preferable because the adapter
requires a Dodge output shaft, and utilizes a stock Dodge 4x4 tail
housing. The stock 23-spline input gear for the Dana 300 is retained,
and the tail housing bolts directly to the mounting face of the Dana 300
transfer case.
There are plenty of adapters and conversion packages packages available
to install the NV4500 transmissions into virtually any vehicle.
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| A cutaway view of the 2wd style NV4500 as
found in GM applications. Image courtesy of GM Powertrain.
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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.
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GM 93-94 |
95/up GM; 93/up Dodge |
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First Gear |
6.34 |
5.61 |
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Second Gear |
3.44 |
3.04 |
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Third Gear |
1.71 |
1.67 |
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Fourth Gear |
1.00 |
1.00 |
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Fifth Gear |
0.73 |
0.73 |
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Reverse |
6.34 |
5.61 |
Specifications
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Dry weight: |
195 lbs. |
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Oil capacity: |
1 gallon |
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Rated GVW: |
14,500 lbs. |
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Case material: |
cast iron |
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Synchronizers: |
Carbon fiber composite |
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Main/Counter shaft bearings: |
Timken tapered roller |
Dimensions
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NV4500 |
GM (6.34) |
GM (5.61) |
Dodge |
Dodge HD |
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Main case |
12.375" |
12.375" |
12.375" |
12.375" |
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4WD Adapter Housing |
8.125 |
8.125 |
6.25 |
6.25 |
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2WD Tailhousing |
6" Tailhousing |
6" Tailhousing |
13" Tailhousing |
13" Tailhousing |
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Yoke |
Fixed Yoke |
Fixed Yoke |
30 spl Slip yoke |
31 spl Slip yoke |
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Input shaft stickout |
6.625 |
6.625 |
7.625 |
7.625 |
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Input shaft spline |
1.125" 10spl |
1.125" 10spl |
1.125" 10spl |
1.250" 10spl |
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Pilot Dia |
.590" |
.590" |
.750" |
.750" |
Bearing Retainer specification
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Bellhousing |
T/O bearing |
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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.
Onboard
Air
