Hey ya'll...hoping to solve a debate here. My brother and I disagree about the NV5600 transmission. He believes that the NV5600 is a mediocre tranny, not very quality and prone to problems. I think the Nv5600 is a well-built tranny, one that would take a beating without having too many problems, a good six speed (esp the ones with the bigger shaft). What do you all think? Any pros or cons......good stories in favor of or against it? thanks...redwake.

 

i had mine rebuilt due to bad synchro's at less than 100,000 miles
i had a 95 ford powerstroke that went over 200,000 miles when i got rid of it and the trans was still good

 

also they are not made any more.... does that tell you any thing?

 

dang...so far only cons......well...just for the record i had a 99 with a six speed in it and that tranny was tight and very stout...drove like brand new at 130,000 miles. just my experience so far. any more input? redwake

 

In my experience the NV5600 is an awesome tranny....the first diesel I ever owned was a 2001 w/the HO Cummins and NV5600. I drove it pretty hard and that 6-speed never missed a beat (sold the truck at 181K).
In fact I liked it so much I swapped out the 5-speed in my 1998 3500 Cummins with a NV5600.

 

I like mine, I think they overbuilt it though as it weighs almost as much as two of the new getrags. However I prefer a cast iron case over aluminum any day, especially in a diesel. I have to shift it alot during daily driving, it doesn't like the cold weather till it warms up and it weighs a 1/4 ton. Some say not to pull too heavy in sixth when trailering. Its under lubed from the factory and it weighs a lot. Parts are hard to get and its kind of heavy! Kurt

 

I think that most people on this site think the NV5600, especially that later ones, were a prefferred tranny. Many used them for high HP/Torque applications. You do need to run 1 quart over what the factory puts in.
I believe New Venture went out of busniess, but I think not because of the NV5600.

 

all good news...keep it coming...any sledpulling/towing stories out there to glorify the nv5600? lets hear it....redwake

 

i got 400k out of my last one.... the 3 4 counter shaft bearings went loose at 200k and 3rd gear syncro started to rub a little ....but i didnt tear her down till 400k and it still was making it up and down the 6 gear shift. i towed its whole life in the excess of 20k lbs load capacity

 

400k...well....that is a testament for sure. redwake

 

I have over 200,000 on mine. It usually pulls 20 to 30K and sometime a little bit more. I bought it new in the crate and have never had any problems at all. It weighs about 400 lbs. and the NV4500 only weighed 185. Don't see how anyone could break one.

 

12v with twins for a short while only 100k of that had twins at 550hp..... the other 300k pulled with 425hp at the rear wheels.......all in a 97 ford cummins conversion.

the dana 80 had more problems than the tranny. i had to put bearing s in the diff at 230k and 400k before i sold it.

i have seen a few counter shafts break but those are extreme cases Way beyond your dreams..... for example one broke in a 24v cummins conversion with twins and 600hp at the rear wheels pulling 38K-40k GCVW everyday. F-550 conversion pulling a backhoe daily on a GN trailer.

dont think you will reach that level. and that is about as hard as oyu can beat a 5600 aside from tractor pulls which is the othr spot i have seen counter shafts break. but then again ZF6spd break in tractor pulls too, and they like the crack housings..... so whats his argument again... medium duty equiptment isnt as strong as ????? compared to ???? because last i checked ive seen everything break including the "oh so unbreakable Allison pile of POOH"

the ZF6 spd is everybit the tranny a nv5600 is and visa VS i think the NV5600 has a slight edge with cast iron housing which seems not to crack like the ZF does but do not discount some of the ZF's strengths and as it has some over the NV5600. Likewise the NV5600 has its idiosyncrasies. both are a PITA to rebuild BTW

 

he is a fan of the G5600....but i do not think it is a proven tranny just yet. thanks for the post ddestruel and others.....quite informative. I realize that the nv5600 has a crowd of opponents as well....but from what i have heard (and as proven in this post) it is a stout piece of equipment. redwake.

 

With over 220,000 KMs on mine and over 500hp at the wheels this NV5600 is in tip top shape, just like new. Even when it's pullin' like a bat outa hell (20k lbs behind it) it never gets close to showing too hot of temperatures, even in these mountains in the interior if B.C. It's got an 'A' in my books.

 

I went from a 5 speed 2500 with NV4500 to a 6 speed 2500 NV5600 and I was in heaven. Shift pattern was perfect, towing was as easy as drinking a glass of water, loved it. Had to sell truck and now I'm back to the NV4500, I really miss the 6 speed, never had any problem even after 277,000 miles.
With mild mods I never had clutch slipping even when overloaded, with the NV4500 I have to watch it.
If swap was easy I would do it in a heartbeat.