Sumdumgi83

I have found a 97 4x4 3500 with a 5 speed that is having trouble with third gear...which one would you replace it with and how much do they cost installed. I wish I knew how to install but havent a clue. I would like to know stock prices and also custom prices and recommendations.
What was the model # of the factory one, NV4500?
Thanks

Smooshy

I think 97 is last year for the getrag 360 but not sure. I like the nv4500 better but I have herd of some that like the getrag. When I was looking for trannys I found a bunch of people that build up the nv4500s to make them very strong. I just ordered an nv5600 for my 2000...

Dusty Ratcliff

the getrags were done in 93' with the come of the new bodystyle in 94' was also the first NV4500's, then in 2000 the 5600 became an option, but I think some of the first 6 spd.'s had the smaller 1 1/4" input shaft & weren't very desireable, the later 6 spd.'s went on to the 1 3/8" input shafts, there are alot of great places building some strong 4500's out there, I talked with Blumenthal mfg. before finding a 6 spd. for my 97', I don't know if I would ever recomend the 6spd. for a daily driver, I'd probably just stay with a built 5 spd. unless you're a puller, or stay hooked to a trailer/rv the majority of the time, I myself found that my 4500 couldn't handle the strain of the loads I was constantly hauling with my truck, so therefore I swapped it out for a 6 spd., but for just a daily driver I'd probably stay with a 4500 w/billet 1 3/8" input shaft, updated 5th gear,fully splined mainshaft, etc. give blumenthal a call & they can get ya some prices, also may try quad 4x4 too, good luck, Dusty

Sumdumgi83

Thanks guys
So the 97 has a NV4500 stock in it?
What is the 5600?
Why stay with the 5speed and not the 6 speed? How big are your loads and do you pull daily?
Do you know of any ballpark prices for the tranny installed?

Dusty Ratcliff

yes the 97 has the 4500 stock, the 5600 is the 6 spd. , my main reasoning for the suggestion on staying with the 5 spd. (unless of course you plan on pulling alot) is just the driveability of the 5 spd. vs. the 6 spd. if you're running around in a juiced up 12-v, believe me you'll rarely ever NEED the extra gear (even while pulling) the extra gear of the 6 spd. just takes a little strain off the tranny by keeping the jumps from 2-3 3-4 4-5 from being so big, 1st gear & 6th gear in the 5600, if I'm not mistaken, are the same ratio as 1st & 5th in the 4500, so basically if you're not loaded & towing alot, you're just gonna be shifting extra gears all the time, I use my truck primarily for pulling, the loads range from probably 5000 to 25-30,000 lb.'s, & I used my 97' exactly like I use the 01' I have now, but I'll also add that the swap to a 6 spd. in my 97 would have never happened had I not happened upon one heckuva deal on the tranny,driveline parts, etc., but if you do go to a 5600 & have any ?'s just PM me & I'll talk ya through my experience, & I wish I could remember the price on a built 5 spd. from Blumenthal, but I just can't recall & hate to tell ya an off the wall # w/out something to back it up with, I also know where theres a good deal on a stock 4500 that's in good shape, just shoot me a PM if interested, L8er, Dusty

v8440

Here's my experience:

I have a '98 12v, with the stuff done to it that's in my signature. I have broken two stock dana 80 limited slip units from wheelhop at the dragstrip. I regularly tow fema trailers weighing probably 8k or so, maybe more. It's my daily driver, and it now has 262k on it. I put a southbend dual disk clutch in it, with the bigger billet input shaft. The transmission is stock (except for the 5th gear fix) and original to the truck. It's getting kinda worn, it makes some gear noise at certain rpms, but nothing too bad. Since fixing my wheelhop problems and putting in a detroit locker, I have free revved it to 3500 and let out on the clutch, blowing all 4 tires away through intersections a number of times. The stock tranny marches on...

The nv5600 is getting VERY VERY hard to find parts for from what I keep reading. It also takes quite a few special tools to disassemble and reassemble, again from what I read by people who actually do it for a living. Conversely, the nv4500 is much easier to work on, requiring far fewer special tools. And, you can get parts for them. I think you can see what my choice would be if I were you...

displacedtexan

I am having the sam problem with my third gear. I plan on shifting slow untill after hunting season is through, so I have money for that But here is what I have figured out so far...

But I will be sticking with the 5spd due to the rapidly shrinking parts avaliability for the 6spd, and the fact that the 4500 shifts quicker, from EVERYTHING I have ever read.

I have heard of people getting the 4500's rebuilt for under $400, but haven't priced it but one place that wanted $900 (hoping they are just high) myself yet. This spring I will be getting a new tranny, well actually most likely my current one rebuilt, and a clutch (probally the Valair, if Rick likes his) and this summer I will be ready for lazer cuts!!!

Sumdumgi83

Thanks for the info guys. I have seen new 4500s for 2-3k. Not sure why they are so high. Maybe they are modified for extreme use. Do you really need all that tranny if your not racing or pulling extreme loads?

This is off of drivetrain.com and doesnt include installation.

Remanufactured Replacement NV4500 for Dodge Cummins
We also offer remanufactured NV4500 for late model Dodge Cummins Pickups these transmissions have a 12 month 12,000 mile warranty:

Part Number
Description
Price
Core Charge

NV45002WD 2wd transmission only $1950.00 plus freight $500.00 (refundable)

NV45004WD 4wd transmission only $1950.00 plus freight $500.00 (refundable)

1320

I converted to a 5600 in my 98. I still have the 4500 for parts if someone is interested. Its in LAs Vegas. I broke the input shaft / bearing , I bet most of if not all the gears, sychros are fine, I never pulled it apart just looked inside. Its been sitting around for over a year now.

ps, my 5600 cost 3000 , best deal in the country I could find, includes shipping (400), trans coolers, and south bend modding my disc. I did the install myself.