What transmission is in a manual 1994 C3500?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

DaBurner87

Newbie
Joined
Sep 26, 2021
Messages
24
Reaction score
29
Location
Ny
I was thinking the Red Line 75W85 GL4 would suffice. $72.95 a gallon.

I wonder if it's worth it to drain, and fill to see if it helps.

Oh yea Rockauto stocks the ACDelco stuff, $17 each or $16 each if you buy 6.
 

Frank Enstein

Best. Day. EVER!
Joined
Jul 15, 2018
Messages
2,005
Reaction score
3,431
Location
Canton, Ohio
I like the Redline stuff but I couldn't find 3rd party testing that confirmed that it was o.k. with the carbon fiber synchro's.

I'm doing the tranny swap in the gravel driveway because the mouth-breathing-knuckle-dragging-Neanderthal that designed my garage made it so if you pull a car in you cannot open the car door so the truck won't fit.

I'm old, fat, and diabetic and I am NOT going to do that job twice! :biggrin: :cool:
 

someotherguy

I'm Awesome
Joined
Sep 28, 2013
Messages
9,786
Reaction score
14,141
Location
Houston TX
I was thinking the Red Line 75W85 GL4 would suffice. $72.95 a gallon.

I wonder if it's worth it to drain, and fill to see if it helps.

Oh yea Rockauto stocks the ACDelco stuff, $17 each or $16 each if you buy 6.
That's the wishful thinking that usually leads to NV4500 death. Sorry; just being realistic. The sooner it gets addressed the less hard part replacement it's going to need.

Test drive it and if it grinds going into any gear (especially 2nd to 3rd, very common), get ready to tear it down. Seller likely is already aware of the damage and may be attempting to minimize perception of it, like most do.

Richard
 

DaBurner87

Newbie
Joined
Sep 26, 2021
Messages
24
Reaction score
29
Location
Ny
That's the wishful thinking that usually leads to NV4500 death. Sorry; just being realistic. The sooner it gets addressed the less hard part replacement it's going to need.

Test drive it and if it grinds going into any gear (especially 2nd to 3rd, very common), get ready to tear it down. Seller likely is already aware of the damage and may be attempting to minimize perception of it, like most do.

Richard
I am getting the truck for $2000, and I am expecting to have the entire trans rebuilt. Labor is 9 hours at $110 an hour.

In my current Toyota 5spd I use Lucas oil. So far 170K miles and all original equipment, no issues. I was hoping newer fluid in this old girl could simply make it work better than the original stuff as a lot can change in 30 years. Pretty much every auto store and lots if shops have those Lucas oil gear demos that show it seemingly doing a better job than conventional transmission fluid.

I won't deny the snake oil on the market, but I do believe in science and improvements.
 

someotherguy

I'm Awesome
Joined
Sep 28, 2013
Messages
9,786
Reaction score
14,141
Location
Houston TX
I am getting the truck for $2000, and I am expecting to have the entire trans rebuilt. Labor is 9 hours at $110 an hour.

In my current Toyota 5spd I use Lucas oil. So far 170K miles and all original equipment, no issues. I was hoping newer fluid in this old girl could simply make it work better than the original stuff as a lot can change in 30 years. Pretty much every auto store and lots if shops have those Lucas oil gear demos that show it seemingly doing a better job than conventional transmission fluid.

I won't deny the snake oil on the market, but I do believe in science and improvements.
Your call; those little plastic gear demos aren't transmissions shoving around a big truck. I'm no believer in the snake oil. The folks at Castrol did their job coming up with the lube that GM and Mopar put their names on..

Richard
 

Sparkysikes

I'm Awesome
Joined
Nov 30, 2017
Messages
387
Reaction score
133
Location
San Diego California
I eventually Swapped my nv4500 for a 4L80E as it's works better for the 6.5 turbo diesel. My issue was slaves and masters dying all the time. Found out that the bushing the clutch pedal rides of was bad and allowed different travel. But I carried 4,000 pounds daily and the transmission never complained. I just had to drive it like a semi. Clutch out granny and not touch the clutch again til I stopped
 

CrustyJunker

Is STILL Here?
Joined
May 20, 2012
Messages
553
Reaction score
382
Location
Indiana, USA
Hopeful thinking, but here's a positive story for ya:

My half ton with the lighter duty NV3500 had a mighty noisy 3rd gear when I bought it. With all the other signs of abuse after purchase, I figured that was my warning. -Decided to check fluid and couldn't reach deep enough into the fill hole to feel anything - it was practically empty and I had no clue for how long...

Topped it off with GM's Synchromesh, 3rd quieted back down, and it's been good for another 35,000 miles of partial abuse with a bigger engine and oversize tires. It might have masked another problem, but it worked noticeably better just adding fluid.

Understandably a different animal than the NV4500, but something simple to take into consideration. Guess you'll find out how "rough," it actually is when you buy it. :driver:

Happy truckin'!
 
Top