for the first 5-10 miles, the truck won't leave 2nd gear. Afterwards it seems to shift into third and then fourth just fine, but it tries to pull out in second sometimes.

All of this started about 2 days ago. The TV cable and shift linkage are properly adjusted and I replaced the return spring on the tv cable as it did not always return completely. I also recently replaced the hoses to the trans cooler and they no longer leak. The fluid and filter were replaced when i put this trans in about 4k miles ago. fluid is just over the full mark when checked properly.

Any other ideas on what i can check without tearing it apart? My other 2 cars need trans rebuilds this summer, so i don't really have the money or time to swap this one out.

 

well, today the trans started making some horrible noises in 2nd and i thought it was going to grenade any second. I got home and the whole transmission was smoking. fluid is only slightly darker than it was this morning, but it looks like my truck has officially gone back to lawn ornament status until i can rebuild the other 2 cars. hopefully I can fork up the money for an nv4500 before next winter.

 

I've heard of this happening before, and I believe in most cases it is the governor.

 

Do you have an aftermarket cooler, or do you still use the radiator? If you still use the radiator (stock) then maybe it needs a flush. Otherwise it may be gone, and you may want to start looking for a replacement.

 

radiator then through the little 1 sq ft cooler that came with the towing package or something like that.

whatever happened, the outside case temp maxed out my temp gun, so it was over 320*F.

 

Oye! Pull the pan and see if the filter is still on right. I had a 92 2wd 5.2 do that, and the cheap filter media bunched over the tube. Kept all the fluid in the pan, and turned the internals into a bbq.

For my .02 cents, before buying a new automatic, id get the B&M rebuild kit, and make it a weekend project.

Althoughhhhhhh adding a 4500 would be pretty nifty. I wanna do that, I just dont have the patience to hunt down everything needed. (This is where someone could become wealthy, putting together Gen 1 manual trans kits.) Best of Luck!

 

from what i've read, most things are the same between the nv3500 and 4500. All I need is the 4500, a new clutch, and maybe a flywheel and I can get the rest off a dakota at the junkyard with a 3500. I think the trasfer case is the same between manual and auto. I didn't want to do the swap until i built a new frame since i will need new driveshafts with the longer frame, but a set of driveshafts will probably be cheaper than an auto rebuild kit.

 

Very true, and imho a 3500/4500 will make the truck more functional. Imagine 4lo, taking off in 2nd. No wheel spin at all. It'll pull like crazy.

FYI, I have a rear shaft with a fubar yolk on the T-case end, should you need a donor shaft.