Hello everyone,

I was wondering if anybody has done a Nv4500 swap into a 318 automatic 2wd truck my trans is giving out and i want a five speed i have about $2000 to spend on this swap and i need to know where to start if anyone knows about a thread on this or a website that will help please post it or any advice you might have.

Thanks, Chris

 

I'm planning a NV3500 swap in mine as soon as I get bills and debt out of the way.

Everything should just swap over. The 318 has the same bellhousing bolt pattern that the 4500 needs. Best idea is to find a donor truck. That way you can swap over the tranny, flywheel, clutch, clutch MC, pedal, hydraulics and the steering column components (you won't have the PRND21 lever any more), not to mention the PCM and wiring harness.

At minimum, you'll need the tranny, flywheel, clutch, clutch MC, clutch pedal, and hydraulics. There is a way to jump the wiring harness on the auto tranny's plug to fool the PCM into thinking the auto tranny is still there, but it's in park, that way you can drive the truck.

I wanna do a 5-speed swap I my truck so friggin bad. The 46RE is garbage. That's why there's so many dang tranny problem threads around.

 

One more thing, measure the total length of the tranny to make sure you don't need a new drive shaft (or two new drive shafts if you're 4WD).

 

4500 seems like over kill for a 1500 with a 318.

Should consider a 3500. Much lighter than the 4500. The 3500 is still very strong for a half ton truck.

 

The 4500 offers superior gearing in 1-3 for max power. Something the little 318 needs help with. I am trying to see if the nv4500 swap is more cost effective than doing a 4.55 gear swap.

 

You'll need to have your rear driveshaft lengthened or if you do get a donor truck take it out of it. i believe the front drive shaft is fine. Someone will chime in if i am wrong about that.

 

http://dodgeram.org/tech/transmission/nv4500_spec.htm

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/archi...p/t-34300.html

"if anyone is interested in a nv4500 swap, i highly reccomend it! i broke my nv3500 a few weeks ago. a 4500 is a COMPLETE bolt in, reuses 3500 clutch, flexplate, etc. np231 tcase bolts up as well. lenght is the same, everything. all you need is a 4500 trans from a 5.9 2500 and a bellhousing from the same truck."

seams like the nv4500 is a better deal than changing out axle gears.