I swapped out my NV3500 for an NV4500. This costed me around $2500 for tranny, transfer case (an NP241HD) and driveshaft mods. This thing was used when I bought it, and it shifts like an '88 Ford dumptruck we had at one time. I was reading a diesel mag and saw an article where the dude "didn't like the way his NV4500 shifted" and bought a Ford ZF-6 to replace it. My question is this; is this thing simply worn out? Or must I give up speed-shifts and settle into a life of forever double-clutching for the strength? A reman was quoted at $1600 after core, and I need to decide if I'm settling with this one or not. I have seen plenty of diesel drag trucks with the NV4500.....

 

Does it grind? If it's grinding, the synchros are worn out.

I've only driven an NV4500 in a CTD and I thought it shifted better than my NV3500.

They're both truck trannys and are never gonna like speed shifting. It'll only wear the synchros out faster.

Do you have the correct fluid in it?

 

NV4500's don't like quick shifting. I'm trying to figure out why you want to... the difference between a slow shift and a fast shift is like 1/2 of a second. NV4500's are almost indestructible, just shift them like a truck, and keep oil in them, and your 360 won't touch it.

 

Okay, I literally need to double shift this thing. Fourth gear is so slow, I literally lose all forward momentum and begin to decelerate before I can "slide" it in. And third gear is getting bad. My Dad said to just get regular gear oil, and for the first couple hundred miles I did, but then I bought Amsoil's version of Syncromesh. I don't need a dragster. But having to wait more than two seconds before I can "feel" it into gear is driving me insane. BTW, is it rebuild-able? I heard you need a 200 ton press or something.

 

Definately rebuildable. if you are literally waiting 2 seconds your syncros are trashed. I know people rebuild them in their garage, but I don not know what tools are required. That is probably the one weak point of nv4500's though, quick shifting. Also, not using the right oil was not good for it. Gotta use that GL-4/equivalent.