truck in question is a 96 1500 4.3 5spd 4x4. heard it said that a 4500 will swap in where a 3500 was with no changes needed? Asking because I have found both transmissions at about $1k and see no reason to put in an inferior product. The 3500's I've found, most sellers cannot tell what version they are, and the earlier ones suck pretty bad apparently. This trans is on it's second rebuild in 140k miles (think the 1st owner had a bent driveshaft without knowing it) and has now cracked the bottom half of the rear lip off. Any years I should be looking for or away from? easy bolt in or will I need to fab up a new mount? HD or LD versions? new linkage needed? couldn't find any truly accurate info, and I've been lurking here for years, so...

This truck will probably be used only to plow my driveway and haul building supplies from now on, given to me by a frustrated friend in lieu of payment owed. So no worries about crawl ratios and stuff, just want to know if it will bolt up, i'll leave the offroad stuff to my Jeep ;)

The 4500 was the same all through the run, save for the first couple years where it had a lower granny (something like 6.32 compared to 5.72 or so in the newer versions). All chevy versions i know of (save for maybe new body style 4500 trannys) have a problem where the 5th gear nut can back off but its usually only under high torque situations. All in all the 4500 is a stout unit but mine is getting a bit ragged....then again i tortue the holy hell outta it...anyway...

Your gonna need a bellhousing, but the smaller clutch you have in the 3500 now i believe should work. As far as bolting it up, yeah, not a problem...you can even reuse the transfer case. I believe the crossmember will stay in the same location. you already have a hydraulic clutch setup for the most part but you still still need the 4500 slave and master cylinder. You may be able to reuse the master (not sure if the fitting is the same), but since its coming apart your better off replacing it... itll save a headache down the road. The shifter will come directly through the floor the same as the 3500.


If you got any more questions or you need some more info as i have both trucks...Pretty sure everything here for the most part is correct but ill try and see if i can confirm it for you. It can easily be done either way, but you may have to work a little.

Hey, thanks for confirming my suspicions kilborg. I had heard of the 5th gear problems, and their associated fixes, but I don't think it'll be much of a problem with a 4.3 and the light loads it will be hauling :)

I need to pick up some body panels as well, found a good supplier (who supports this board), problem is finding a 4500 in stock... I'll be going up to your neck of the woods to get the parts one weekend as soon as they have a tranny in. Question is how impatient I get, may have to settle for another 3500 if they don't get one in a timely fashion, can't have these trucks sitting around forever... thanks again!

i had the 4500 in '95 k2500 for 200,000 miles and it had to be replaced. yhat truck went thru hell and came back for more. replaced with rebuilt new clutch and we are back off to the races. i have pulled and towed withit and it just puked one day.

hmm... 5th gear puked or the whole trans let go? what was the verdict? any chance it was due to an incorrect fluid destroying the carbon fiber synchros? still, 200K miles through hell is formidable...

I did this swap last year.
I replaced the noisy MG5 (210,000 miles)and swapped a new NV4500 into my DD 91 K1500. I had to get a 96 tranny to get close ratio yet external slave to match the existing linkage. After that year the slaves were all internal.
The transfer case bolted on, the shifter handle screwed right on, NO floor hacking, the reverse switch plugged in, and the original boot covers the taller shift tower. Plug-n-play.

and I've been lurking here for years, so...

not to be the cock here but...
lurking for years????
Member #82940
Join Date: Nov 2006

lurking, as in I never joined the site till the day I posted this thread, but I've been coming here for a long time reading/learning/searching.

no offense taken http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/icons/icon12.gif

I meant 95, not a 96 transmission.