Talk me into, or out of, it...

[NickTransmissions]

@NickTransmissions any input on manual stuff? I've got this early model NV4500 ('93) with the typical 1-2 grind, it's also a little stiff shifting it otherwise but I kind of expect that from an NV4500. Planning on taking it in for rebuild soon..

My mental file tells me that for a while the OEM carbon fiber-impregnated synchros were no longer available but I'm not sure if that's entirely accurate? I thought recently I found someone selling them but I don't know if they're old stock or they're still being produced.

I could see one benefit of going to regular bronze synchros would be I'd imagine you no longer need the specific GM lubricant (re-labeled Castrol Syntorq LT) but the downside would probably be a harder shift "feel" ?

My builder has done NV4500's for me in the past but we didn't get into the particulars, I just trusted him with whatever he was going to do but if I can make some informed suggestions here it might take some of my worry away about dumping big bucks into this old beater.

Thanks,
Richard

Hi Richard, I've never messed with the NV4500 so I'd defer to your builder here...If it's grinding a bit, the blocking rings are prob worn and/or perhaps the input cluster is also worn (both are typically replaced in rear-wheel drive manual transmissions). I think there are aftermarket blocking rings available if the factory carbon-impregnated ones aren't available...I need to rebuild one of my T56 transmissions which use very similar blocking rings so will be looking closer into it in the near future...

 

[someotherguy]

Hi Richard, I've never messed with the NV4500 so I'd defer to your builder here...If it's grinding a bit, the blocking rings are prob worn and/or perhaps the input cluster is also worn (both are typically replaced in rear-wheel drive manual transmissions). I think there are aftermarket blocking rings available if the factory carbon-impregnated ones aren't available...I need to rebuild one of my T56 transmissions which use very similar blocking rings so will be looking closer into it in the near future...

Yeah, from my experience with the NV4500's it's super common for the blocking rings to be worn, especially on the 1-2 shift (not counting granny low as 1) since 1-2 is probably seeing a lot more use. There's definitely the regular bronze stuff available, no doubt, but the carbon-fiber OEM parts might still be available. I wonder though if I really want them and the $$$ lube requirement they bring.

Richard

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

Fo

You may recall I used to own a '98 CCLB dually. That was years ago and I did used to park it in the driveway at my house (different place across town.) That place was built in the 80's and actually just barely had room for me to put FOUR trucks in the driveway. For a little while it was the '98, the black '94 C2500LD, the white '92 I was rebuilding, and my '06 F450SD work truck.

With the Ranch Hand front bumper, and the wrecker unit sticking out under the rear, it was a looooooong truck. The body lift and the 19.5's made it look even more ridiculously large. That truck was a beast, and a huge POS, simultaneously. I almost miss it.

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So back to the '93 and the original spirit of the topic, "Talk me into, or out of, it..."

Today I'm trying to make myself drop the truck off at the transmission shop to get the NV4500 rebuilt. I've been dreading this mostly due to what it's likely to cost. I've been putting it off.. but it's one of the biggest obstacles to regularly driving this truck. The bad synchro isn't gonna get any better and I don't want to cause any further damage to the trans, plus it's just not fun to drive this way, in traffic.

Richard

The big 400s just have a "take charge" style to them."Hop in me and we gonna get stuff done" vibe.....
I know the size of Rawhide, and the brush guard on the front, do make it/him a more intimidating truck in traffic. It is gratifying, with the way most people in Houston drive,"me me me first!", to see some people who were thinking about/going to pull out in front of us, change their minds after getting a look at the truck and the size of it.

 

[bluex]

Putting a good working, not grinding trans in my truck increased the enjoyment factor of driving it by like 10,000% really wish it would have been the first thing I did to it.

 

[someotherguy]

Forever since the last real update...

Today I dropped her off at the transmission shop. I've had this truck getting close to a year - which seems really surprising to me. I still haven't put 500 miles on it including the trip home from buying it out of town. 40 minute trip from my house to the transmission shop and in the last 10 minutes or so it started running crappy like it was gonna quit on me. FML

Anyway my buddy at the transmission shop has the list: deal with the synchro grind (in other words basically a full rebuild - synchros, bearings, possible input shaft replacement, etc.), throwout bearing, pilot bushing, clutch, resurface the flywheel, and check/replace rear main seal on the engine while he's in there.

Hey; it was a fun little drive until it started crapping out. Nice weather...sunny but a little bit cool.

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Richard

 

[termite]

Its always something. I've dealing with an intermittent misfire on cold starts now. There one day, gone the next.

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

Forever since the last real update...

Today I dropped her off at the transmission shop. I've had this truck getting close to a year - which seems really surprising to me. I still haven't put 500 miles on it including the trip home from buying it out of town. 40 minute trip from my house to the transmission shop and in the last 10 minutes or so it started running crappy like it was gonna quit on me. FML

Anyway my buddy at the transmission shop has the list: deal with the synchro grind (in other words basically a full rebuild - synchros, bearings, possible input shaft replacement, etc.), throwout bearing, pilot bushing, clutch, resurface the flywheel, and check/replace rear main seal on the engine while he's in there.

Hey; it was a fun little drive until it started crapping out. Nice weather...sunny but a little bit cool.

You must be registered for see images attach

Richard

Looks great lowered!

 

[618 Syndicate]

Looks great lowered!

So do srw crew cabs....

 

[Orpedcrow]

So do srw crew cabs....

She won’t….

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

She won’t….

I'd love to....but the $$$ is not gonna be in the budget anytime soon.
I'd ideally like to do a 2/4 on the Burb, maybe a 4/6. And lower Rawhide enough to notice, but still be able to get through street flooding (I do live in Houston lol).
But right now, every buck coming in, has about 10 places to go....