NV4500 in a 1 ton 1990 Chevrolet GMT 400 4x4 350 srw?

[DerekTheGreat]

Can confirm. Our '89 has the 5LM60 trans. I kinda hate it too. Shifts pretty good with well over 220k on it but first gear (4.00) is kinda useless unless you're off road and second is too steep to start off in.. It's also really complex, prone to failure and expensive to rebuild. Heard most of them end up junked once they lunch themselves.

 

[gstubbz]

I'll be honest I hate how the SM465 is in my 89. Shifter is super sloppy, and you really need to have some muscle in your arm to get it into gear. Every time I drive my friend's 91 with the 5LM60 it's like relief because I can shift it with a finger and it's much smoother. At least my truck will do more than 65mph, and I can thank the 3.42s for that.

NV4500 was used by GM up to the 2007 Classic 25/3500 Silverados/Sierras with a 6.0L Vortec.

 

[rebar]

The 92-94 version of the NV4500 had the granny 1st gear and an external slave cylinder. In 95, first gear switched to 5.61 (also the first year Dodge offered it) and went to an internal slave cylinder. I’m not exactly sure when GM stopped using it, but I think it was well into the 2000’s.

Internal? Bleak.. Good to know though

I'll be honest I hate how the SM465 is in my 89. Shifter is super sloppy, and you really need to have some muscle in your arm to get it into gear. Every time I drive my friend's 91 with the 5LM60 it's like relief because I can shift it with a finger and it's much smoother. At least my truck will do more than 65mph, and I can thank the 3.42s for that.

NV4500 was used by GM up to the 2007 Classic 25/3500 Silverados/Sierras with a 6.0L Vortec.

Yeah I'm not much for mine either. It rattles in neutral and growls loud if you lug it. Still shift good though at 130K

I figured a 3/4 ton chevy (92-07) with a NV4500 would be a good choice cuz if I blow the motor. Eh, when I blow the motor.. It would be a good candidate for a cummins swap possibly.

 

[JCribb]

The best mod I have done to my truck, is trade out the NV3500 for the NV4500. First gear kinda sucks in the Gen 1 4500’s (92-94) because it has a 6.34:1 ratio, but it does come in handy if you need the deep reduction.

 

[Sparkysikes]

I had a 91 K2500 6.2L diesel with a 4L80E and than the motor. Blew and I needed more space for the kids. So I got a 93 C3500 6.5TD with the nv4500. It was nice in the beginning but after a few years and many issues regarding the clutch and hard clutching and major traffic in San Diego I went with a 4L80E swap. I love it. The 1-2 shift is so much better. Reason I mention the clutch is pay attention to the shifter pedal. When it starts to fail you won't notice but it'll ruin slaves/masters and allow a burned up clutch or 2 and really hard shifts.

 

[rebar]

I had a 91 K2500 6.2L diesel with a 4L80E and than the motor. Blew and I needed more space for the kids. So I got a 93 C3500 6.5TD with the nv4500. It was nice in the beginning but after a few years and many issues regarding the clutch and hard clutching and major traffic in San Diego I went with a 4L80E swap. I love it. The 1-2 shift is so much better. Reason I mention the clutch is pay attention to the shifter pedal. When it starts to fail you won't notice but it'll ruin slaves/masters and allow a burned up clutch or 2 and really hard shifts.

After hearing more horror stories about automatics, Im ok shifting. I dont like shifting. But Id rather be faced with replacing a manual trans than a auto. Id like to see proof or hard numbers of which transmission is more reliable..

 

[Sparkysikes]

Transmission manual. Accessories like throw out bearings and slaves verse auto. I think the auto wins. But the average Joe can work. On manual accessories

 

[rebar]

Hey Guys.. I found a clean 1996 Chevy GMT-400 K1500 4x4 5 speed 4 hours away..

Would this have the NV4500 or NV3500?

 

[smdk2500]

2500LD, or more commonly referred to as the 6 lug 2500. Basically a heavy half ton truck.

my 95 2500 has the nv3500 and its a 8 lug. If i remember correctly the nv4500 was put behind the 6.5 and the 7.4 not the 5.7 like mine has

 

[gstubbz]

Hey Guys.. I found a clean 1996 Chevy GMT-400 K1500 4x4 5 speed 4 hours away..

Would this have the NV4500 or NV3500?

That will have a NV3500, personally I haven't had problems with them but I've had problems with the earlier 5LM60. I'm not fortunate enough to come across nv4500s though!