Well I decided to upgrade my transmission since this one just never ran PERFECT after a line busted 3-4 years ago and burnt the transmission.

I thought about a NV3500 but with heaving towing I might as well go all out, and with the 5.9 Magnum they never came with NV3500 so NV4500 is what Dodge used so I will go with it too. As far as a time line, I expect to start by end of summer not until I have all the parts and the money to try to do it all in 1 shot.

A little info for some who may not know. The NV4500 came behind 1500, 2500 and 3500 Dodge V8 (5.2 (some)+ 5.9 (all)). Dodge V10 and Diesel had a NV4500HD. Chevy 3/4 and 1 tons came with it. Only the V8 version is a direct bolt on to the engine and transfercase. The Dodge Diesel or the Chevy version will need input swap and bellhousing swap. Chevy version uses the same bellhousing as the V8 version though.

A great site with NV4500 info is http://www.high-impact.net/nv4500.htm


So for the past 3 months I've been looking locally and state wide for a NV4500 Dodge V8 version. Tons of Dodge Diesel versions but no V8's. Finally I found one at an Tuscon Arizona salvage yard. I had them ship it to me from a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 V8 5.9 Magnum for $750 and $125 freight. Total $875.

I ordered a flywheel from Rockauto but it is on back order.

The list:
Flywheel
Clutch kit
Pilot bearing if not in kit
pressure plate
hardware for all pieces
clutch pedal and master cylinder lines slave cylinder
A shifter and housing.


The drive shafts will need to be custom made as well as the transmission mount custom done. Possibly upgrade the transfercase if I can find a NV241 and possibly upgrade the rear axle.

Here are a few pics of the NV4500. By the way a rough measurement the NV4500 is 26.5in long the 46RH is 39.5? (already forgot LOL, I'll update tomorrow)

 

I have a lead on a NV241 hopefully it comes through.

 

I seen a post on my local Craigslist for a billet shaft for the NV4500 the guy bought it new and wasn't the right part. He said it cost i think $750 and ge would take $450. Let me know if you want a link and i can get it for you.

 

It's almost certainly for a CTD.

 

Hey Hahns5.2 since your more an expert on the manual stuff, IIRC the transfercases on manuals transmissions have a shorter input shaft then the automatics? Or is the other way around?

I can only find an NV241 from an automatic transmission, that is why I ask.

 

I can't remember which is which but I have heard there is a difference.

 

I am digging this up because I am curious on the progress.

If it goes well I'd like to do something similar.

 

Unfortunately no progress has been made. I've been heading to the U-Pull it to get the clutch pedal and hydraulic assembly but none. The only manuals have been 80's Dakotas seems like that is all there is at the yard.

And I've been looking for a NV241 the transfercase that came behind the NV4500 V8 Gas version. NONE local it was just the same with the NV4500 I couldn't find local for the V8 Gas version. I can get one shipped in for $1,000 or so but that is way more than I'm willing to pay and more then the transmission has costed me which I had to get shipped in as well.

The other issue is on the 5th gear lock nut problem but seems to mainly walk off on diesel engine versions. I've been looking for the best solution there are several types of lock nuts but none seem to be an end all solution.

 

How'd the swap go? Curious to know.. Cause I might be swapping one on my auto Ram.

 

I still haven't done anything yet unfortunately. I've been trying to locate a NV241 V8 Gas manual Transfercase. They are super rare locally. I can order one for a good $1,000 which I sure don't have. Hopefully looking for a 300-400.

The transmission has been sitting in the shed awaiting for its time to play.