Finally getting around to my 5spd conversion. I have a 98 and came across a short shift kit cheap so I picked it up awhile back, it's for the 98 and up NV4500 with the square shifter top. The conversion truck I have is a 96 with the round shifter top. If I can track down the square top cover, can they just be unbolted and swap the tops? Or are they not interchangeable? Thanks.

 

I have a round top. To the best of my knowledge there is not a conversion available, but here are the experts. Standard Transmission and Gear 800-783-8726

 

Never known the reason why but I've never heard of a short shift kit that will work on a pre '98.

 

The short shift kit is NOT for a pre 98, and my NV4500 is pre 98, that's my problem. I've seen on ebay every now and then, the whole top cover of the tranny with the square top for sale. Just wondering if it can go on a pre 98 NV4500.

 

I am just sourcing out a rebuilt NV4500 tranny for my 97.. The Gear Centre has the 98 version for sale and they said to just swap the top cover over to fit in the 97 and put the 98 cover on the core.

 

The top covers are interchangeable, did that when I put a 94 tranny in my 98.

 

Good deal, I also noticed that the transfer case shifter inside the truck is different from the 96 to the 98, is the linkage different on just the shifter handles, or are they different?

 

I know 95 and 98 are different on the t-case linkage, so I would imagine the 96 and 98 are different as well. T-case linkage is bolted to the tranny on the older models, where its attached to the cab floor in the newer.