I've got a flat fender power wagon with a 93 ve 12v and a 5spd getrag. Driving it home a while back I could feel something binding an then freeing up, thought it was a brake and pressed on the final mile home. On inspection I felt the getrag and it was extremely hot.

So here's the options, rebuild the getrag, exchange the getrag, nv4500 or big shaft nv5600.

I've got 2 spare nv4500's but have a bit of distaste for them (5th gear and running special expensive oil).

The advance adapters cost would be the same as rebuilding the getrag. Doing what it did would the rag be rebuild able? Nv 5600 would be the obvious answer but A- I don't have one B- they are expensive and much more work to install.

PS no automatics need apply

 

I think it kinda depends on what ya want to spend, option 1 rebuild getrag, or exchange. Probably the cheapest route. And will bolt back in and no screwing around. Option 2, nv4500 way smoother trans. Also can put in with out aa kit. Just would need a 2nd gen adapter and starter and build a transfer case linkage and a tranny mount. Possable driveline mods. Would definantley be way smoother and nicer to drive than the getrag. Option 3 nv5600, this is a spendy one and labor intensive one. This is the route i went. I have 3.07s though and wanted to be able to feel in the gaps in shifting. There is an excellent step by step write up in the powertrain section on cummins forum for this one. Honestly, if you like the way you getrag feels in your crew, that would probably be the easiest and cheapest route. I have heard guys talk about a guy on ebay that sells rebuilt getrags and have had good luck with them.

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I have pondered this same question...though from a little different direction. I have thought a few times about swapping out my NV4500 in the crew for a Getrag.

There are benefits, and drawbacks to each.

This is what I have gathered....The Getrag is cheaper to rebuild, does not have a 5th gear nut issue...but it does have an over heating problem, and some say that they are limited on the load you can pull. Shifts are not as smooth either.

The NV4500 has nice smooth shifts, lots of aftermarket support, very unlikely you'll break one in any type of pulling/driving situation. Draw backs are expensive fluid, 5th gear nut, kits and parts are pretty costly too.

These are the Pro's and Con's that I have garnered from reading and researching.

If the Getrag still shifts then I doubt you totally cooked it. Wouldn't run it much though. Is it a 2wd getrag or a 4wd unit?

 

Thanks for your thoughts guys.

I have 2nd gen adapters, starters everything. That's good to know that it will bolt up to the older engine. Use a 2nd gen clutch and flywheel then too I'm guessing? Clutch hydraulics? It's a 4wd getrag, so will my married 205 bolt to the nv4500 still? Trans crossmember is custom anyway so another one isn't a issue. Transfer case linkage is a custom twin stick too that I don't really like and needs to be redone too. Driveshaft would cost about $200 to be modified and balanced.

I won't pull anything likely over 10k lbs, leave the heavy stuff to my new warrantied truck lol.

Trans still shifts, developed a coming out of gear problem that I hoped was a rail/fork problem then the binding started. I haven't drive it since other then pull it in and out of the shed a couple times. I know still bad.

Looks like the cheapest method might be nv4500. I'm ok with the special fluid but detest losing 5th so often.

 

You use the same clutch and flywheel as a getrag. Also the same hydros as a getrag will work. Just need 2nd gen starter and 2nd gen adapter. Its pretty simple actually. Also on the 5th gear the only true fix that will last is the full spline mainshaft. Also i forgot you will need a 2nd gen shift handle. Also the transfer case will bolt right up as long as its a 205 from a manual which im assuming it is being thats its on a getrag.

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That's another thing I need to make is a shifter handle. I tried a full spline on my 98 12v and it still spit the gear off. It was a 600hp parts breaking beast though

 

There is no true way to stop the 5th gear nut from loosening. Everything out there is a patch for a poor design. Even the full splined shafts, and locking nuts etc are just delaying the inevitable.

For my eventual NV4500 rebuild and swap to 4x4 I will run the nut from Quad 4x4...with the brass pads under the side set screws, then run the splined slip collar with the 4 tangs to help lock the 5th gear nut in place. Between these two aftermarket patches I should have a 5th gear nut that will last a LONG time. Plus I don't pull super heavy, or drive like a r@ped ape.

Here are pics of what I will be running...





Personally I would run the NV4500, since you already have everything to do the swap. The 29 spline NP205 will bolt up fine to the NV4500...as long as the NV4500 is a 4x4 unit that is.

 

Yes everything is 4wd stuff, thanks for heads up Brian I haven't seen that method before.

 

This is how I finally got mine to hold, had the fully splined shaft and the updated nut already and she came off. I put a new updated nut with Loctite red, torqued her to 300 Lb/Ft. and put the splined retainer on, over a year and still happily using 5th.

With the TC keeping it from disengaging, the only way for this setup to fail is to shear either the splines, or the tabs, and even the mighty Cummins isn't up to that task.....

 

I did come across a couple references to the tabs on the splined retainer starting to bend on a couple 5th gear nuts. But it seems to be that if you have it apart to check things, and find that the tabs are beginning to bend, then you'd replace the nut again, and install and new collar and be done with it.

 

Bringing this back from the dead, I yanked the transmission and clutch out of a 98 12v to use behind my 93 12v in the flat fender. The entire clutch hydro assembly off the p pump motor is no good and neither is the starter.

So I need a 94-98 12v Manual trans starter? Will my getrag slave work on the nv4500 bellhousing?

 

I'm doing a getrag to nv4500 swap now.

if you use all of the 2nd gen stuff, the slave will work, but you have to turn it around to face the opposite direction. this puts some strain on the line, but it will work.

you'll also need the 2nd gen starter

 

4x4 getrag to nv4500 swap - Dodge Cummins Diesel Forum

here is my swap thread.

 

Ok I will try it, I think maybe my master is a bit further from the trans Then a factory 1st gen would be. Thank you for the reply

The cab had burnt off this 98 so I'm hoping the trans is ok. Going to take off the pto covers and look inside. Back up light plug is melted, shifter boot is slightly melted. I really don't think it got hot enough to hurt the internals though

 

Rockauto also sells new 2nd gen Sachs pre-bled hydros for $150.