Manual swap?
Legend
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 8,098
Likes: 318
That is VERY true. 
I suspect that a lot of the problem comes from having a 5500 pound plus truck, with 3.55 gears, and big tires... that puts a LOT more strain on the trans. The jeeps likely are still under 5000 pounds, (maybe under 4K....) but, they are going to have MUCH better gearing in the axles, to go alone with those fat tires.
Still and all, if it was me doing the job, I would still want the NV4500, if I could find one for a reasonable price.
I suspect that a lot of the problem comes from having a 5500 pound plus truck, with 3.55 gears, and big tires... that puts a LOT more strain on the trans. The jeeps likely are still under 5000 pounds, (maybe under 4K....) but, they are going to have MUCH better gearing in the axles, to go alone with those fat tires. Still and all, if it was me doing the job, I would still want the NV4500, if I could find one for a reasonable price.
Captain
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 684
Likes: 45
From: Southern OH
GM and Ford both did the same thing in the 90s, they only offered their 1/2 ton trucks with the smaller v8s in a manual transmission. Ford for example you could only get a 5 speed f150 with the 300 I6 or the 302 v8, the 351 was only available with an automatic in the F150, however you could get an F250 with a 351 and the same M5OD transmission that came in the 302 F150, GM did the same thing with the 305 and 350, why they all did that is a mystery to me.
Legend
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 8,098
Likes: 318
GM and Ford both did the same thing in the 90s, they only offered their 1/2 ton trucks with the smaller v8s in a manual transmission. Ford for example you could only get a 5 speed f150 with the 300 I6 or the 302 v8, the 351 was only available with an automatic in the F150, however you could get an F250 with a 351 and the same M5OD transmission that came in the 302 F150, GM did the same thing with the 305 and 350, why they all did that is a mystery to me.
Record Breaker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,437
Likes: 73
From: S. Florida
From working at JTE (Jeep & Truck Engineering), I can say it’s amazing what abuse an NV3500 will take... even if only for a limited time.
I would think not offering manuals behind larger V8’s was to minimize failures due to abusive use, and to minimize inventory.
I would think not offering manuals behind larger V8’s was to minimize failures due to abusive use, and to minimize inventory.
Legend
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 8,098
Likes: 318
That and a bad reputation, which they already had for transmissions.
Record Breaker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,437
Likes: 73
From: S. Florida
Yup... the optics of your failing txmns isn’t good, even if it is due to user abuse.