NV4500?

[LOWERED 69]

I've heard alot of talk about these transmissions but I'm kind of confused on which trans to look for. I've seen them for dodges and chevys but I dont know which one is needed to connect to a FE. Also where would I get an adapter plate and what vehicles did these transmissions come in?

[willowbilly3]

It seems the one to use behind an FE is the Dodge gas one. I saw the whole write up some where. Maybe it was here.

[FORDification]

The NV4500 is the ultimate manual transmission for a vehicle that sees a combination of street and trail driving. It is the ultimate because it is heavy duty, has a low first gear, and has an overdrive fifth gear.

Commonly referred to as simply NV4500, the transmission is identified by Dodge Truck as NVG4500, while Chevrolet and GMC designate it as the MT8 and MW3. The manufacturers' code names for the two transmissions are different and so are some of the internals, yet both gearboxes are made at the same New Venture Gear assembly plant. General Motors applications include it as an option in 3/4 and 1-ton fullsize trucks with a GVWR of more than 8500 pounds. Dodge versions are used in 3/4 and 1-ton trucks, mostly with Cummins diesels and V10's.

There are Chevy and Dodge versions of the NV4500, but to adapt an NV4500 to a Ford engine the Dodge version is required, with a Ford bellhousing with a 6.500-inch depth and a 4.848-inch index diameter. (most common Ford three- and four-speeds use this bellhousing). A simple adaptor plate connects the bellhousing to the tranny case. Advance Adapters makes Ford bellhousing to NV adapters.

For adapting the NV4500 to the transfer case of the full-size 4x4 trucks, Advance Adaptors has a kit for both the standard-duty and heavy-duty Dodge trannies. The difference lies in the output shaft spline count (23-spline on the standard-duty and 29-spline on the heavy-duty), and the heavy-duty version has the obvious advantage of greater beef. Both types use the original Dodge tailhousing combined with an adapter to mate with NP205 and NP208 transfer cases or any transfer case with a 31-spline input and a circular bolt pattern. The swap requires shortening the output shaft of the tranny and using a spud shaft to mate with the female 31-spline input of the transfer case. Driveline mods are necessary in most cases, and a transmission support bracket is available to work with a modified original crossmember.

Here are the Dodge version gear ratios.
1st - 5.61
2nd - 3.04
3rd - 1.67
4th - 1
5th - 0.75

_____________________________________________

NV4500 HISTORY

- NV4500 (1993-94): During the first two years of the New Venture 4500, Chevy offered this 5 speed with a 6.34:1 1st gear; 2nd 3.44:1; 3rd 1.71:1; 4th 1:1 ratio, and a 27% overdrive. It was also the first year that Chevy changed the bellhousing-to-transmission bolt pattern. This transmission is ideal when converting your vehicle, providing an ultra-low 1st gear. GM, however, only produced this particular ratio during these years. The major complaint of this 5 speed was stiff shifting and noise in 3rd gear.

- NV4500 (1995): This transmission is identical to the 1993-94 transmission, except the 1st gear ratio had been changed to 5.61:1; 2nd 3.04:1; 3rd 1.67:1; 4th 1:1 ratio, and a 27% overdrive. The noise and shifting problems had been corrected.

- NV4500 (1996-2001): This transmission has the same gear ratio as the 1995 version. Chevy once again changed the bellhousing-to-transmission bolt pattern and went to a larger bellhousing index diameter. This Chevy NV4500 has the same bellhousing-to-transmission bolt pattern as the Dodge NV4500. These transmissions use a GM internal release bearing.

- Dodge NV4500 (1993-2000): This transmission is the same as the 1996-99 Chevy version; however, the only difference is the transmission input shaft, output shaft and the tailhousing. The 2001 Dodge transmission was changed to a 29 spline output shaft. All NV4500 transmissions have a 12.375" case length.
___________________________________________

http://www.nv4500.com/catalog/product_i ... s_id/24290
Adapter Plate Kit For 2WD Dodge NV4500 To Ford 2WD Trucks
[27-0049] $339.95
Products Model: 27-0049
Manufacturer: Advance Adapters
Fits Vehicle: Ford

Advance Adapters Adapter Plate Kit For 2WD, 1-1/8th 10 Spline Input Shaft Dodge NV4500 To Ford 2WD Trucks

The bellhousing adapter plate in this kit retains the stock bellhousing. This kit requires the use of a stock Ford bellhousing with a 4.848" index diameter. The stock clutch disc must be changed to a 1 1/8" 10 spline to fit the NV4500 transmission. The necessary clutch components for this conversion can be found in the Ford adapter plate section of this manual. We have included a new rubber crossmember support to fit the stock tailhousing. The stock crossmember will require some modifications to bolt to our rubber crossmember support. This kit requires a slip yoke which can be purchased from your local Dodge dealership.

-----------------------------

OTHER LINKS:
- You can also get a complete NV4500 tranny and adapter at www.wildhorses4x4.com.
- http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/nv4500.htm

[mcarlson11]

I did not know a transmission like this existed! I am definently going to be getting one of these. So these things will bolt up to an FE with the adapter plate? Which of the 4 kits would I need from wild horses, considering I don't need or have a transfer case:

#8480 NV 4500 to Dana 20 T-shift kit $3,450.99
#8482 4500/Dana 20 T-shift deluxe $3,600.99 <-Im thinking this one
#8484 NV 4500/Dana 20 J-shift $3,600.99
#8486 NV 4500/Dana 20 J-shift deluxe $3,750.99

[FORDification]

Those won't work for your application, since those are for 4x4 trucks, and they're the kits to adapt the NV4500 to a transfer case. You'll just need the bellhousing-to-transmission adaptor from NV4500.com if you'd want to supply your own transmission from a donor truck. Otherwise, they can sell you one too, along with the necessary adaptor plate.

I've been keeping my eyes open for one of these myself as well....they'd be perfect for what I plan to do with my truck.

[LOWERED 69]

Thanks for all the info!

[beemer]

What about the TKO 500 or 600, 5 speed with different OD ratios, street or road race and bolts up without adapters? On the 4500 the input pilot just hangs on the pilot bushing not all the way in besides adapters which puts you at the price of a TKO.

One member (FTE forum) has a TKO behind a 482 in a Mustang, loves it.

Handles 500 or 600 ft/lbs tq and 650 hp.


.....=o&o>.....

[poleman]

Has anybody done this swap? Would it require changing to a hyd. clutch?

[19674x4]

ok keith, i just now noticed that bug on your signature, Here i sit trying to smudge it off my screen. GRR

[averagef250]

What about the TKO 500 or 600, 5 speed with different OD ratios, street or road race and bolts up without adapters? On the 4500 the input pilot just hangs on the pilot bushing not all the way in besides adapters which puts you at the price of a TKO.

One member (FTE forum) has a TKO behind a 482 in a Mustang, loves it.

Handles 500 or 600 ft/lbs tq and 650 hp.


.....=o&o>.....

I've done the swap. A TKO is a car tranny. A cummins NV4500 makes one look like a children's toy. NV4500's with upgraded 1 3/8" input shafts will handle over 2000 lb/ft in direct gear. They hold up alright in serious pulling trucks.

The swap is simple. You need the clutch disc to match the spline on the transmission (prefferably dodge V8, but cummins will work). You can use a 96 and newer GM version as well, but you need to swap in a dodge input shaft.

[poleman]

http://austin.craigslist.org/pts/652364966.html

Here's the listing that got me thinking about this.
Anybody have a clue if that is a good price?

If I understand correctly, I would use the stock Bell housing and clutch and just need an adapter plate from the tranny to the bell, and the correctly splined clutch plate.

Any ideas as to how it would fit in a truck with a stock 3-speed. It looks like it would need the taller hump to fit.

[James72]

ok keith, i just now noticed that bug on your signature, Here i sit trying to smudge it off my screen. GRR

At least I'm not the only one who tried to rub it off

[ford4x4fun]

ok keith, i just now noticed that bug on your signature, Here i sit trying to smudge it off my screen. GRR

At least I'm not the only one who tried to rub it off

[averagef250]

http://austin.craigslist.org/pts/652364966.html

Here's the listing that got me thinking about this.
Anybody have a clue if that is a good price?

If I understand correctly, I would use the stock Bell housing and clutch and just need an adapter plate from the tranny to the bell, and the correctly splined clutch plate.

Any ideas as to how it would fit in a truck with a stock 3-speed. It looks like it would need the taller hump to fit.

I'd call and figure out what that NV4500 is. That is not a stock setup from anything I've seen. That doesn't look like a chevy or dodge bellhousing, it looks like 460 or diesel ford pattern. Could be something custom built for a Ford already. The price is fair if it's in good shape.

You'll need the high hump tunnel cover from a C-6 or 4 speed truck. Get the C-6 one, then you can cut the shifter hole exactly where you need it.

[poleman]

I called; that is a custom bell housing for a small block Ford.