Is this something best left to a professional or something a shadetree type can handle?
It's sitting with 165K on it, thinking of replacing the clutch, but if I have to drop the trans to do the clutch wondering if I might as well replace the synchros whilst I'm at it.

I would hate to do the clutch and still have issues shifting.

FYI 1st is damn near impossible to get into unless moving (real slow), or you hit it just right. Reverse usually requires a shift to 5th and then reverse. I'm thinking synchros more than clutch since I read some where that 5th and reverse share the same synchro as well as 1st and 2nd.

 

Get a manual then read it, and read it again. Study its diagrams till your eyeballs look like the eggs I had for breakfast. Then you may decide.

 

Doesn't really sound like synchros to me, more like bad clutch hydrualics. I've read that the NV3500 is considered "very difficult" to rebuild and needs a couple special tools.

 

Like Purpl said, read up on it, screw your nuts on tight and dig in!!! Before I rebuilt my 46RE, I never so much as changed the fluid. But I read up on it over and over for a month to make sure I got it right the first time...10k later, still shifting smooth as silk.

 

Yeah, the manual would be a must have, but have read the same about it being a pain and needing tools.

I'm thinking maybe I'll just replace the clutch, prob needs it and won't hurt it, and keep my eyes peeled for a nv4500....if I still have the truck when I find one. haha

 

if the clutch is grabbing and not fully disengaging, what would explain why it's a bit rough going into 1st or reverse when fully stopped, but shifts like butter when shifted at correct rpms. Before 2k 1st to 2nd is a bit clunky, but if shifted at 2k or a bit more it slips into 2nd with zero resistance.

Now, I just have to decide if that's something I want to tackle lying in the drive way or let the garage down the road do it.....not cheap I'm sure.

 

Doing a clutch in the driveway in winter in wisconsin????? I wouldn't wanna......

 

HEEEELLLLL NNNOOOO!!!!!! It's not a daily driver, only used for hauling busted up plaster walls, sheetrock, garbage, hunting/fishing/camping. But it's getting hard to see over the drifts in the car...so driving the truck till spring....at which time it will get parked for plenum, kegger and tb mods and some rust removal. Then if I have the gumption and time, I'll do the clutch when it's warm out....maybe.