Getrag or NV4500
12-21-2011, 09:52 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Somerset PA
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Getrag or NV4500
Hey Y'all, after the holidays are over I'm gonna swap out the Getrag in my 92,
In the summer months I do a good bit of towing of the pullers which consist of a 7500lb truck or a 7500lb tractor on a 25" gooseneck. I know there's alot of you that have done the NV4500 swap and of late there's been a few that have installed some reman Getrags. I guess the question is which way would be the best to go?
Brandon, its been a while since you replaced your Getrag, are you pleased with it and the clutch you used? and how grabby is your clutch?
Thanks Scott.
In the summer months I do a good bit of towing of the pullers which consist of a 7500lb truck or a 7500lb tractor on a 25" gooseneck. I know there's alot of you that have done the NV4500 swap and of late there's been a few that have installed some reman Getrags. I guess the question is which way would be the best to go?
Brandon, its been a while since you replaced your Getrag, are you pleased with it and the clutch you used? and how grabby is your clutch?
Thanks Scott.
12-22-2011, 01:56 AM
#3
I've driven trucks with both. The NV4500 is a lot smoother. The getrag feels like a truck tranny when shifting. Could just be my trans, idk. When the getrag in my '93 needs rebuilt or replaced, I will swap an NV4500.
Jake
Jake
12-22-2011, 10:25 AM
#4
I've always been a long supporter of the getrag but my new to me 1993 W350 had an Nv4500 installed already and I really like the trans... Haven't really worked it yet though. It really does shift effortlessly and smooth, gives you a little bit more confidence in the thing?! I dunno...
12-22-2011, 10:35 AM
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Princeton, NJ
Posts: 902
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From what I can tell it's 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of another.
For me, it came down to price. Rebuilt Getrag was $1100 plus $150 shipping.
NV4500 with all the parts to convert would have been about double that.
If it was unanimous that it was a better trans, I probably would have sprung for it, but it's really not even close. Some people say it's better, some say it's worse, some say about the same. The rebuilder said they're both decent, but that the conversion isn't worth the money unless you get a great deal on it.
For me, it came down to price. Rebuilt Getrag was $1100 plus $150 shipping.
NV4500 with all the parts to convert would have been about double that.
If it was unanimous that it was a better trans, I probably would have sprung for it, but it's really not even close. Some people say it's better, some say it's worse, some say about the same. The rebuilder said they're both decent, but that the conversion isn't worth the money unless you get a great deal on it.
12-22-2011, 11:13 AM
#6
Registered User
I have driven both, what i have found is the shifter itself on the getrag is rather flimsy and flexes alot compared to the NV4500. A solid shifter on the getrag would be a big improvement.
12-22-2011, 12:41 PM
#7
Yeah I think the Getrag is just as "good" as the nv4500 for a stock or near stock VE motor. I'd run either one.
For the flimsy shifter thing - You are correct BILTIT!! I had the 1993 style shifter in my '72 crew. A NOS shifter to boot. I found the rubber isolator to be loose and dried up. I drilled two holes in the shifter and threaded the hole in the stub and installed the fasteners to the shifter - it provided very solid shifting, and really shortened up the throw! Very nice...
For the flimsy shifter thing - You are correct BILTIT!! I had the 1993 style shifter in my '72 crew. A NOS shifter to boot. I found the rubber isolator to be loose and dried up. I drilled two holes in the shifter and threaded the hole in the stub and installed the fasteners to the shifter - it provided very solid shifting, and really shortened up the throw! Very nice...
Trending Topics
12-22-2011, 01:58 PM
#9
Registered User
The kit to convert appears to cost about $350. If one can source a Second Gen donor truck for an NV4500 INCLUDING the bell housing, does it reduce the cost of conversion?
12-22-2011, 04:13 PM
#10
Registered User
I have had both in three different first gens. I can say without a doubt that any truck I ever buy will have a nv4500 installed as quickly as I can find one. My dad agreed and has had me convert two of his trucks to nv4500 from Auto's. I did the swap in my own dually and installed a nv4500 in my RC conversion. For my dually it was the first one I did and was coming from getrag that had been abused and not overfilled. MY ONLY REGRET IS I DIDNT SWAP TO A NV4500 SOONER! I have a 24K eager beaver that wieghs 8600lbs empty that I hual my dads 580CK and have hauled as much as 17K on it from my work on scrapped Crown forklifts to the scrap yard. The NV4500 shifts flawlessly compared the getrag. My dad still has one 4x4 getrag truck with 165K on it. That tranny shifts tight and true. But I would never pull anything other than a car dolly or lite little two axle car trailer with it. Just no faith.
As for the cost. I have done this conversion four times now. Two from auto's, one from a getrag, and one on my RC. I used the AA kit everytime. Other than a week transfer case shifter rod the kit has worked perfectly. Ultimately its personal preference and what you can find. For the wieght I pull I have no faith in a getrag.
As for the cost. I have done this conversion four times now. Two from auto's, one from a getrag, and one on my RC. I used the AA kit everytime. Other than a week transfer case shifter rod the kit has worked perfectly. Ultimately its personal preference and what you can find. For the wieght I pull I have no faith in a getrag.
12-22-2011, 06:29 PM
#11
Best Paint (Getrag category)
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Eagle Ne
Posts: 2,122
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've always been a long supporter of the getrag but my new to me 1993 W350 had an Nv4500 installed already and I really like the trans... Haven't really worked it yet though. It really does shift effortlessly and smooth, gives you a little bit more confidence in the thing?! I dunno...
Pics of said W350 please!!!!
12-22-2011, 06:39 PM
#12
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Somerset PA
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I appreciate all the good info guy's, Freight train, I think you made my choice alot easier with the input you gave about hauling heavy. I don't believe I'll ever get rid of that truck and plan on using it pretty hard. I want it to last and be able to perform without worry, so the initial investment to do the 4500 swap will be money well spent.
Thanks again, Scott.
Thanks again, Scott.
12-22-2011, 06:40 PM
#13
I have had both in three different first gens. I can say without a doubt that any truck I ever buy will have a nv4500 installed as quickly as I can find one. My dad agreed and has had me convert two of his trucks to nv4500 from Auto's. I did the swap in my own dually and installed a nv4500 in my RC conversion. For my dually it was the first one I did and was coming from getrag that had been abused and not overfilled. MY ONLY REGRET IS I DIDNT SWAP TO A NV4500 SOONER! I have a 24K eager beaver that wieghs 8600lbs empty that I hual my dads 580CK and have hauled as much as 17K on it from my work on scrapped Crown forklifts to the scrap yard. The NV4500 shifts flawlessly compared the getrag. My dad still has one 4x4 getrag truck with 165K on it. That tranny shifts tight and true. But I would never pull anything other than a car dolly or lite little two axle car trailer with it. Just no faith.
As for the cost. I have done this conversion four times now. Two from auto's, one from a getrag, and one on my RC. I used the AA kit everytime. Other than a week transfer case shifter rod the kit has worked perfectly. Ultimately its personal preference and what you can find. For the wieght I pull I have no faith in a getrag.
As for the cost. I have done this conversion four times now. Two from auto's, one from a getrag, and one on my RC. I used the AA kit everytime. Other than a week transfer case shifter rod the kit has worked perfectly. Ultimately its personal preference and what you can find. For the wieght I pull I have no faith in a getrag.
