I have a friend with a 92 4wd ctd and he was wondering what was involved in changing the Getrag transmission to one of the newer ones. He would really like the 6 speed if possible.

 

The NV 4500 is a pretty straightforwards swap, but you do need another bellhousing, and to cut out the hole of the shifter further back, I bought a changeover kit from standard transmission of texas. I would have loved a 6 speed, but that is too rich for me, and a lot more work from what I understand.

 

As woodrat said, it's a super simple swap to the 4500. You can get an entire brand new tranny swap for around 3 grand.

I did mine myself in a few hours. Took me the longest time to get the getrag out. Dummy me didn't take the shifter off first. Do that!!!!!

I don't see the point of the 6 speed unless you're always towing super heavy stuff. It only has one different gear ratio between 3rd and 4th of a Getrag or nv4500. I don't wanna shift any more than I have to anyway....

 

I paid about $3000 for my changeover kit, and got $400 back for my core getrag, then used the $400 to pay the tranny shop to put it in. Gravel driveway and floor jack with heavy transmission did not sound like a good time.

I did end up having to pull the transfer case off of my truck in the gravel driveway recently, with the floor jack and that wasn't too bad, but it is a lot smaller than the tranny.

 

transfer case weighs a lot more though. That was the worst part

 

well, I 'll keep that in mind for the future. Until I get a paved floor in the shop though, I try to keep the tranny changing at home to a minimum.

 

You can buy a kit or do it yourself.
On a 6 speed the bellhousing is part of the case. it is the same bell housing that comes with the NV4500. However, you need a 1994 and up engine adapter, a 1994 and up starter. the shifter on both transmissions are about
6" rearward from a stock getrag. on the 4500 the only other serious mod is for the transfercase shift linkage.
The NV 5600 would require drive line length changes.
I put the 5600 in my 2WD and a 4500 in my 4WD truck.
I love the 5600, way nice transmission, the 4500 has a big gap between 3rd and 4th gear.
good luck.

 

I made my old bell work and used a NV4500 that I rebilt myself and all my shifter linkage and mounts. looked good and worked great for a lot less than the kit (less than $600 for ever thing trans ,parts, and materials, but I can fab and weld prety well). If you ever price parts and look in a 5600 you wont want it, very complex( compared to the 4500), cost too mutch, week cencro teeth and require anspecial tool to rebild ( I bilt my oun).I worked in a trans shop rebilding them and eaton, fuller, rockwell, mack and more. Standerd transmissions dose sell a great kit if you have the money.

 

I used the (advance adapter ) bellhouseing in mine , worked out great , cost less than the other guys stuff !
also nv4500 are getting a little more costley ?? no longer in production !!
price has gone up !!