1320Fastback

Until a medium duty transmission is used one should tow in overdrive regardless.

oly_fab

Not true I haul with my Getrag in 5th all the time total GVW of 16k. Rebuilt rag, fast coolers running 5qts RP 10-40 and 2qts RP syncromax with a trans temp gauge. Deere country is rite cooking the lube is what kills them. Have to think modern engines run at 210* and I never see those kinds of temps.

Stu

PapeCAT

The days are over in regards to the myths of the getrag "weaknesses". Most of the bashing was proliferated and pushed by outfitters looking to ca$h in on their spendy NV conversions.

Run what you want, but the 'rag ain't bad. (If set up properly and not run low on oil and/or overheated - the same goes for the NV)

(Speaking from experience I've towed many miles with both in my trucks over the years)

oliver foster

I think most of the Getrag bashing was from idiots filling it up with 75W 90 weight oil and cooking them.
I can't tell you how many times I talked to a guy that said he couldn't keep a Getrag working for long. I then ask what fluid he uses…The answer they give me... "the "proper" gear oil just like I use in my axle"
I bought my '91.0, Poncho from a guy like that.
He couldn't understand why the first Getrag went 220,000 miles and the 2nd rebuilt one only lasted 20,000.
I didn't have to even ask what fluid he used in it as I could smell the burned gear oil that was leaking out the cracked case from 20 feet away.
I had a Getrag rebuild for it, threw on some PTO coolers and a fresh South Bend clutch. I have been driving it in the summers ever since.

PapeCAT

Very good point, Oliver.

Just to reference the subject for the newer members:

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...e5/#post938628

freight train

I was not trying to insult anyone or insinuate that some haven't gotten good use and miles out of Getrags. I literally feel its based souly on your experiences. I have been fortunate to have been around these trucks since mid-1992. I have seen a brand new Getrag fail under light use. I mean not hauling/towing anything. Then in the same truck I saw the reman trans fail relatively close to its install being used as a daily driver ONLY! I have since had/worked on four other getrag trucks and only one still runs as should. That truck has been used to tow and held up well. I would say by the amount of rust (Erie PA truck) all over the drive train that its still in as built condition. Now I look at the five NV4500 trucks (four 1st and one 2nd) my family has and how we flat out beat on them and they all just take it. I am so impressed with New Venture when looking for a 3rd gen for towing my wife/son/camper I specifically overlooked multiple 06/07's that had 5.9's to find that perfect 05 just to get that 5.9 with a NV5600. Again, its all about what our life experiences has shown us. No disrespect to anyone at all but I wouldn't build a truck to have Getrag in it. When I built my RC I was tickled pink to find a low mileage NV4500 to use.

oliver foster

No disrespect taken here freight train.
I love my NV-4500s as well. I have driven a NV-4500 shifted Dodge almost everyday since '94. Other than losing 5th gear once on a truck with 220,xxx miles on the transmission, I have never had ANY serious issues.
I just get good service out of my Getrags as well.

freight train

Oli if its any consolation I would take a rebuilt Getrag over a rebuilt 518! Well depending on who did the rebuilding, LOL.

Ada381

Thanks for all the input and advice. It is nice to get your opinions to take into consideration. I would rather have a general consensus with a majority rather than than me being closed off to advice from others who have gone before. I have alot of options to weigh.

BHD

I've been doing that for 10 years with no issues. I don't lug in any gear, I don't shift like I'm driving a ricer with a fart can muffler, and I change the oil once a year, and I overfill.

I have read that post by MysteryMan more than once, and I think that he is correct when he cites the problems of the Getrag, but most of them are not an internal issue.

My advice to the OP is build what you can afford correctly, drive it correctly and it should last for a long time.