Greeting all, this is a fitst for me, but from what I have read so far you'll are having some good coversations.

I've been rebuilding an 89 Dodge Cummins and am now at the tranny. I got the truck from a cattle rancher in central Idaho so its worked hard no doubt about it. A lot of people I've talked to recommend changing over to the NV 4500, however after wandering around here that doesn't seem absolutely needed.

My Getrag is shot, there's no help for it. What do you'll think is it better to change over to the NV 4500?

I'll be hauling pretty heavy loads with it most the time, but not much towing. Well once its finished that is.

I've started doing the research for swapping them and it doesn't seem tuff, but if folks have suggestions I'm all ears.

 

Fix the 5th gear nut while it is out. That way you dont lose in the mountains

BTW, Welcome! Fill out your sig by going to User CP and Edit Signature. Tell us what you have so we don't have to ask every time you might have a problem! Which seems evident with the age of our trucks

Jon

 

You can rebuild the Getrag 3 or 4 times for what an NV4500 conversion will cost you. The only benefit I see is the tighter ratio gap between 2nd and 3rd.

 

Thanks for the signature tip DieselJon, and what exactly is the 5th gear nut? I dont recognize that.

Wannadiesel; my Getrag is pretty trashed, the tranny shop I took it to said they wouldn't try rebuilding it. Would you just replace it with another Getrag rather then trying to swap over to the NV 4500? Or is it still possible to rebuild the one I got, and I just need to find someone to help me. I'll admit, I don't know how to do everything and trannies are one of those areas where my knowledge is weak.

I've gone through a lot of the discussions on here regarding the Getrag and it seem like it can be a good tranny but that you need to know its in and outs, like adding the extra oil to the tranny case.

 

I would ask for a second opinion on the Getrag. Unless the countergear is screwed up or the case is busted it can be rebuilt economically. The trans shop probably just didn't want to deal with it.

Do you know what's broke?

 

I do, but I'm a shacky on the exact names but can get more specific in time. Away from home at the moment.

The main gear up high got burned on the outer edges of the teeth which started hairline cracks. Another gear was messed up also but I can't remember how right now.

After reading a bunch of the topics it seems like when I changed fluid last summer I didn't fill it enough which burned things up. I also had a good amount of metal shavings inside the case once I got her open.

Thanks for your help wannadiesel, I'm feeling better about working with my Getrag once I get home. I wish I had more details for you now but will get them later.

 

i've got 2 right now with the nv4500 in them and i will tell you they are really nice, the gap between 2-3 is a lot closer but the 3-4 is a bit larger... with my 4.10s on 285's it can be a real pain at 30-40mph on back roads, but can't find the more comfortable gear. one that i have uses the advanced adapters bellhousing and the other has the 2nd gen bellhousing/starter swapped in. what was said about the 5th gear nut is valid if you are swapping in a used tranny out of a second gen, if you are purchasing a new tranny it should be taken care of, but be sure of it before you put it in!

 

I did this swap because I couldn't find a tranny shop that would touch the getrag (3 or four years ago, I guess parts are easier now).

I like the NV. I bought the changeover kit from standard trans in texas, 5th gear was fixed and it came with everything I needed.

 

Yeh, the swap seems like a good option but perhaps not the ideal option for me at this time. That other current discussion going on about the Getrag and this one have helped me realize that the Getrag isn't total crap, instead it just needs TLC. With my current finances I'll probably try to rebuild my Getrag, that appears to be the cheaper route to take.

Anyone got any suggestion on rebuilding. I'm going to see if I can find the tear down specs I read about on another forum now. Thanks for all the help.

 

The Getrag is a TRUCK transmission, it cant be driven like a car. Mine grinds going into 3rd if you try to go too fast. Just rev up 2nd a little, and take your time going into 3rd and all is well. I prefer the Getrag over the NV4500s I have driven- I dont care for the tight/ close gates in the NV, and the 2-3 gap can be taken care of with a governor spring. The getrag just has a bad rep, which makes it good for those of us looking for spare parts trannies.

Basically, if the case isnt cracked, and will hlod the races reasonably well (mine will turn in the case until the preload is set), it is rebuildable. Zumbrota Bearing and Gear has some good prices.

Daniel

 

If I wanted to change the subject or topic line of this thread can I do that or should I just start a new topic. Its along the same lines as the tranny but not involving the NV4500 conversion.

 

just go ahead and start a new thread. it will get fresh interest