Re: 5 speed or 6 speed.
 

Re: 5 speed or 6 speed.
 

If it was popping out of gear it would've been sidelined till I could fix it. I certainly wouldn't drive it like that.
I think my first NV4500 5th gear spline, on the tranny I put in my 76, was already shot when I bought it. 5th worked till I towed with it. No popping out of gear and no noises that my GMC hasn't made for 110,000 miles. I got a gutwrenching bang and thump on the flats around Jamestown NY and it was all gone. Kind of a sinking feeling when a $950 transmission and months of my time takes a dump on its' first road trip.

I've towed with the GMC in 5th but only on the flats when I'm up to speed. I downshift for hills etc. I've run her for 110K.

Re: 5 speed or 6 speed.
 

Did some driving with it this weekend. I'm getting 11 on the highway and 13 on country roads doing 55. I need another gear for sure. My speedo is 5 mph slow. 55 is 60. She's getting a gear vendors
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: 5 speed or 6 speed.
 

I forgot about those... looked at a Ranger but didn't do it.
Downsides
Torque is limited to 420 ft lb.
It moves the transmission/transfer case back by the length of the box so;

you have to replace both drive-shafts

both drive-shafts are angled differently instead of just the long one

It moves the shifter closer to the seat.

It moves the transmission/transfer case mount back on the frame.

Upsides
It's the same ratio as the GV unit. 27% OD = .73:1
It's half the price.
It isn't electronic shift so it's fun to twin stick.
You don't have to be careful to not engage it with the transfer case in low range because it's ahead of the transmission instead of behind the transfer case.

Re: 5 speed or 6 speed.
 

I'm still considering my options on this. I have an SM465 that pops out of 2nd gear often, quite annoying.

Is the NV3500 really that light duty? I tow 5k+ loads with my C10 often enough to require a rear spring upgrade and LT tires. I need a bulletproof trans to back it up, SM465 has been great so far, especially with the 2.73 gears. I want to upgrade gears in the future to 3.73, which will require an overdrive of some sort.

Re: 5 speed or 6 speed.
 

I have 3 sm465. 2 are 2wheel 1 4 wheel. One of the 2 wheels is in my wrecker that tips in at 10k emptie and more like 16k or more loaded with over 350k mikes on it with big blocks and dumass drivers and she dont pop at all but boy she wines bad. What did u do to make it pop out in a halfe ton? I no I have beat the crap out of my c20 and speed shifted it as well an it works like it is new
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: 5 speed or 6 speed.
 

I got the truck like that, that first day driving it home was interesting. Its the original factory installed trans, with 96k miles on it.

I was told by someone that knows these transmissions the issue is the brass syncro gear for 2nd is worn out, causing the pop-out issue. No grinding shifting into gear, My trans also whines, which is caused by worn out case bearings. If this transmission comes out of the truck, its not going back in unless there is a ranger overdrive in front of it!

Re: 5 speed or 6 speed.
 

300 ft lbs is pretty much the limit on the NV3500. The stock early smog era 350 smallblocks in these trucks will not cause the NV3500 any problems. They peak out around 180hp and 270 ft lbs stock. Towing adds stress beyond the engine torque so you'll probably be better off with the heavy beasts...

The NV3500 is not a bad transmission if you stay within its' design envelope but it does limit your engine upgrade options.

The Ranger is about the same cost as a used NV4500 and would appear, at first blush, to be much easier than the NV4500 conversion... Even when you factor in drilling the frame for the new trans crossmember position along with the driveshaft and floor mods. You get twin sticks too just like the heavy haulers from the '60s.:lol: