manual trannies in 80's and 90's GM trucks, NV4500 conversion

[BayouBlazer88]

manual trannies in 80\'s and 90\'s GM trucks, NV4500 conversion

Just curious, what manual transmission came in half ton trucks in 88' when the new body style emerged? Was it still an SM465? Was it a NV4500? If not, when was the 465 dropped and what was it replaced with? the reason I'm asking is that I'm converting from my soon to be dead 700R4 in my 88 blazer to a good ole dependable 465 pretty soon. but one thing I will miss is OD. so I was thinking of later on (couple of years) changing out the 465 with a 4500 (if that is practical or even possible). So what GM trucks came with them and what is involved in getting them to fit in an older body style truck or blazer? thanks.

 

[sled_dog]

Re: manual trannies in 80\'s and 90\'s GM trucks, NV4500 conversion

NV3500 or a getrag trans I think. Either way they are junk. Seen more than one meet its death just from general use.

 

[84_Chevy_K10]

Re: manual trannies in 80\'s and 90\'s GM trucks, NV4500 conversion

When the SM 465 was dropped it was replaced with the NV 4500.

I have seen SM 465s with drivers drop transfer cases in IFS rigs as new as '91.

Only the half tons got those junk trannies. They do not have granny gear so they could not be put in 3/4 and 1 ton trucks.

 

[dyeager535]

Re: manual trannies in 80\'s and 90\'s GM trucks, NV4500 conversion

I've seen a non-OD 4 speed in the '88 trucks, so I am reasonably sure they lasted for a bit longer than ours...don't forget, up until 1991, that was still the only manual trans offered in the R/V series, so it was still being used in something, no reason not to carry it over in the '88+ body style. As long as it didn't interfere with the body design.

Anyways, the NV4500 is what you want, and there are a few ways to ID it compared to the light duty NV3500. Seperate bellhousing is an easy way to ID the 4500, but the RPO codes in the glovebox will tell you too.

I *believe* any 3/4 or one ton with a 5spd OD manual trans will have the 4500 exclusively, while in the 1/2 tons, they were mix and match.

 

[rjfguitar]

Re: manual trannies in 80\'s and 90\'s GM trucks, NV4500 conversion

Sort of off topic but I just bought a '98 GMC 1 ton dually with the vortec 454 and NV4500 and I love it! /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif

 

[84_Chevy_K10]

Re: manual trannies in 80\'s and 90\'s GM trucks, NV4500 conversion

[ QUOTE ]
I've seen a non-OD 4 speed in the '88 trucks, so I am reasonably sure they lasted for a bit longer than ours...don't forget, up until 1991, that was still the only manual trans offered in the R/V series, so it was still being used in something, no reason not to carry it over in the '88+ body style. As long as it didn't interfere with the body design.

Anyways, the NV4500 is what you want, and there are a few ways to ID it compared to the light duty NV3500. Seperate bellhousing is an easy way to ID the 4500, but the RPO codes in the glovebox will tell you too.

I *believe* any 3/4 or one ton with a 5spd OD manual trans will have the 4500 exclusively, while in the 1/2 tons, they were mix and match.

[/ QUOTE ]

You type slow /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

 

[BayouBlazer88]

Re: manual trannies in 80\'s and 90\'s GM trucks, NV4500 conversion

I did some searching and found a site called drivetrain.com that answered a few of my questions. Here's what I found: GM continued to use the SM465 as the standard manual transmission in the 88' trucks up until 91'. Also, beginning in 88' the NV3500 became an optional transmission with OD and continued to be used up until 96'. The NV4500 became available in 92' and also continued until 96'. I'm guessing they put the nv3500 behind the 4.3 and SBC's and had the nv4500 behind the desiels and BBC's. then again the 350 was standard in 3/4 tons so I'm not sure.

Anyway, once again, does anybody know what's involved in converting from 465 to 4500?

 

[sled_dog]

Re: manual trannies in 80\'s and 90\'s GM trucks, NV4500 conversion

I've never seen a 465 in a 1/2 ton IFS rig. I've seen them in 1 tons though. Almost bought a dually 2wd back in the day with a 465. Wish I did.