NV4500 swap

[billyjo]

I have recently swapped a nv4500 into my 72 K/5. The first transmission I put in made a extremely loud grinding noise in 4th and 5th gear. I called the supplier and they sent me a 2nd transmission. I installed it today and have the same problem but not quite as bad as before.

The adapter kit is an Advanced Adapter bolted to a newly rebuilt NP205 transfer case. It seems strange to me that both transmissions would have the same problem. But I don't have any idea what it could be. The only thing that comes to mind is that in the installation instructions you have to cut off the output shaft and harmonic balancer.

Has anyone else had a problem like this, any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Bill

[69TowRig]

NV4500 needs a not-so-common gear lube 75W90 GL-4 ONLY. Did they come filled or did you put fluid in them? AMSOIL and Castrol make fluid for that transmission. NEVER use GL-5 in that thing.

Also, are you sure that the NP205 that was just rebuilt is not the culprit? Just throwing out ideas here.

[vtblazer]

No answers for you, sorry.

the tranny swap your doing is a pretty common "wish I could" install.
Any further input/problems encountered/cost/benifits for those wanting to attempt it would be great.

Welcome to the board!

[billyjo]

69towRig

I did use the correct GM fluid that they recomended in fear of voiding the warranty.

No I'm not sure that the NP205 is not the culprit but the fact that the noise only happens in 4th and 5th makes me think transmission. This morning I drove it in low range and still the noise was only in 4th and 5th. I do appreciate any ideas.

vtblazer

The swap is actually very easy. The only modifications I had to make were installing a block mounted starter, drivelines and the tunnel. Everything else fit perfectly. I would say that the kit is engineered quite well.

They originally sent me the wrong bracket to install the 4wheel drive lever but they over nighted the correct one free of charge. This being said I wonder if they sent me the wrong 2-piece set collar. I think this is what holds the shaft that 5th gear is mounted to in place. Anyone else with experience or ideas?

Thanks,

Bill

[ClassicJimmy]

Did all the parts come from Advanced Adapters? I want to do the same swap in my Jimmy.

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by billyjo

The swap is actually very easy. The only modifications I had to make were installing a block mounted starter, drivelines and the tunnel. Everything else fit perfectly. I would say that the kit is engineered quite well.

Bill

So you bought it as a kit? Tranny and all?
Are you running a hydro clutch set up? Or using the stock linkage?

Any idea of the overdrive ratio?

[1967k30]

I'm about to do this myself.I should have the tranny by the weekend,hopefully.I got a rebuilt tranny with a hydro clutch bellhousing and a spacer to run the late model np205 out of a 1ton. I also got a twin stick kit coming with it.It seems like it will be a simple bolt up deal. What clutch are you using?

[billyjo]

I actually ordered the parts through NV4500.com. All the parts and tech support come from Advanced Adapters. I ordered the new transmission, and adapter kit from them. The kit that I ordered came with a new bell housing so I was able to use my existing mechanical clutch linkage without any modifications. My K/5 already had a 12" dual friction centerforce clutch that I was able to reuse. I'll change it later when I do a motor swap.

I used all the parts and had clearance for everything without having to lower the crossmembers or skidplate. I did have to move them all back approximately 1.5" and I had to do some trimming to get the clearance I needed to install the transfer case mount.

Has anyone else done one of these and did they have any problems? I love mine except for the unexplained noise that has yet to be diagnosed.

[special-K]

So,you did the shaft trim?Is the trans rebuilt?I`ve bought two from GM.By the time I bought the second,they wanted an exchange or pay a $500 core.I thought this was strange for a new crate unit from the mfr.It meant to me the secondary or aftermarket had a high demand for these and GM was cashing in.Both transmissions I replaced had a problem up in 4th and 5th.The one just lost 5th with no other symptoms before of after.

[70rs/ss]

Originally Posted by billyjo

I actually ordered the parts through NV4500.com. All the parts and tech support come from Advanced Adapters. I ordered the new transmission, and adapter kit from them. The kit that I ordered came with a new bell housing so I was able to use my existing mechanical clutch linkage without any modifications. My K/5 already had a 12" dual friction centerforce clutch that I was able to reuse. I'll change it later when I do a motor swap.

I used all the parts and had clearance for everything without having to lower the crossmembers or skidplate. I did have to move them all back approximately 1.5" and I had to do some trimming to get the clearance I needed to install the transfer case mount.

Has anyone else done one of these and did they have any problems? I love mine except for the unexplained noise that has yet to be diagnosed.

Lloyd's Drive Train Llc
(520) 571-0939 3215 S Dodge Blvd
Tucson, AZ Map

This guy is a tranny GOD and he can diagnose a lot of stuff on the phone. He has been doing this for 40+ years and his son has taken over, but Lloyd is still there (ask for him specifically) he may be able to simply point you in the right direction. Good luck. How much did this cost (if that's not be nosey) as I'd like to do it in the future on the Blazer.

[454_72_4X4]

Old post here but I'm in the "parts collecting" stage of this same swap and was wondering if you ever figured out what the noise was.

Also which version was the NP205? (sm465 10 spline input, th350 27? spline input, or th400 32 spline input)

I'll be using the 32 spline input style NP205 and the AA adapter kit #50-0206 and a 96 model NV4500 with a hydraulic clutch setup.
I'm just getting ready to put the np205 back together today and I'll be ordering the AA kit asap.

[BobbyK]

I thought the newer NP205's(86 and up) bolted directly to the NV4500 considering the bolt pattern is the same on both.
I'm only assumeing this though.

I have plans for this as well(sometime in the future).Got the NV4500
I thought if you had a long input,32 spline NP205 they would bolt right up to each other?

[454_72_4X4]

Originally Posted by BobbyK

I thought the newer NP205's(86 and up) bolted directly to the NV4500 considering the bolt pattern is the same on both.
I'm only assumeing this though.

I have plans for this as well(sometime in the future).Got the NV4500
I thought if you had a long input,32 spline NP205 they would bolt right up to each other?

I've never actually seen a 205 with the circle pattern, but I've heard about them.
If a person could get one of those circle pattern 205's it might actually bolt up to the NV4500. I'll have to dig out my Advance Adapters booklet and refresh my memory on what they say about them.

Originally Posted by BobbyK

a long input,32 spline NP205

There's only one 32 spline input 205 that I know of too. (Factory TH400/NP205 combo)
What do you mean by "long input"?

[BobbyK]

I got this from ORD's site.
I just added the yellow text.

[454_72_4X4]

Originally Posted by BobbyK

I got this from ORD's site.
I just added the yellow text

I see what ya mean now. I stand corrected and learned!

My 32 spline 205 has the short input.
Any idea what the long input came in/from?

If a person could get the long input 32spl 205 and if it would bolt up to a nv4500 that would sure be the way to go.

[BobbyK]

According to ORD's site the long 32 came behind the "later model SM465 and TH400 trannies, from about '85 to '91 in straight axle 1-ton trucks"

Here's a link to that page.
http://www.offroaddesign.com/NP205tech.htm

[jb_72]

Hey billyjo... Every figure out what was causing the noise in 4th and 5th gear?

I just completed an NV4500 swap in my 72 and have the same problem. In 4th and ESPECIALLY in 5th, the transmission makes and awful vibrating noise. It seems worst when the throttle is in a slight deceleration position.

JB

[billyjo]

I think that I did find out what the cause of the problem was and what your describing sounds exactly like what I was experiencing.

The long and the short is driveline angle. I know that it may be hard to believe (I know I didn't believe it) because I made them send me a 2nd transmission and I had the same problem.

After I took it to the transmission shop they assured me it was the angle of my driveline. They convinced me to install a CV joint which I did. It made the noise much more bearable but didn't cure it. I didn't like the size of the new CV joint so I ordered a new driveline with a larger CV joint and a disc ebrake and this seemed to make it better yet. I then bought some 8 degree shims and tried that and it got better yet but was still there slightly.

This would be a good time to mention that if you go with a CV joint and don't have a body lift it is likely that you will problably have a problem with your ebrake cable coming in contact with the CV joint. Another problem I had is that since I don't have a body lift I had to relieve the floor to make room for the disc and the caliper. Eventually I'll put a false bottom in my center console and nobody will be the wiser. Has anyone else had this experience? I would love to know how you routed the cable for when I redo mine.

The angle of my driveline with the CV joint was still 23 degrees and I have been told that less that 12 is what it should be. I plan on having my spring purches cut off and rotating my rear diff and then rewelding them to get to this magic number.

I haven't had a chance to get it done yet because I am replacing my 383 with a blown 6.0 but it should be done in the next month or so. I'm sure that this will solve the problem.

If I had it to do over I would have just had the purches cut, rotated my diff and rewelded to start with and have been done with it.

Hope this helps,

Bill

[IGOR]

Hey Bill-

Sweet Blazer - where are you at in Washington?

Dumb question - but what is the advantage of running a NV4500 - I have just heard of this swap - what is it from? and why it versus a SM465?

[BobbyK]

Biggest thing is the 5th gear over-drive and it's just as tough as the SM465.

[IGOR]

Would it be cheaper to do an Atlas overdrive?

[70rs/ss]

NV4500's are about 1000-1500 depending, plus the first gear and second are closer in ratio I think. The SM465 is old school for heavy duty trucks, the NV4500 is found in newer 1 tons.

[billyjo]

Igor, I'm in Vancouver, WA I've seen a few or your threads over on K/5 weren't at one time you trying to find a roll cage that didn't block the AC vents and went through the dash? I would like to find a kit for that myself.

BobbyK hit it on the head, 5th gear and just as tough as the SM465 is the biggest advantage. The throw of the shifter and smoothness are another. With it in there it doesn't feel quite so much like an "old truck".

I think the downside to using an atlas or gear vendors is the length that it adds. The NV4500 only added about 1 1/2" and with my new motor I was able to reuse all of the stock bolt holes for everything (a big plus).

[IGOR]

Yeah that was me - that is the next step after I get this pig running again (if ever) - so is that NV4500 - what year truck is that from?

Is your rig up and running? Pretty sweet that you got a 6.0 in it - how did that conversion go?

[454_72_4X4]

The NV4500 came in 92 up (present?) 3/4 and 1 ton trucks (GM). They also came in Dodge trucks but I don't know what years.