I here they are both great trannies. I plan to use my 88 YJ to drive over rocks and go to the liquor store. So it will not ba a daily driver. I am putting in a 400 or so HP 355 SB. Might as well do it right the first time. Since an auto is not an option I can choose either the SM465 or the NV4500. What would you choose and why. You guys talked me out of the AX-15.

NV4500. The overdrive 5th gear let's you chose lower diff gears
and still maintain an exceptable cruise rpm on the street. After all,
you did mention going to the "store". The advantages the SM465
has though, it's shorter, and 1st gear is a little lower.

Um, let's see, $3000 or $100, how much do you want to spend on a transmission? I wish I could run an NV4500, but it's long, way, way, not even funny how way out of my price range, and not as user/rebuilder friendly as my SM420. The SM420 vs. SM465 debate is still raging somewhere, but I like the SM420 in a YJ because all of the front driveshaft issues are no problem, the driver's side diff eliminates complications with the huge buldge in the side of the case. Plus, the SM420 is shorter and has a lower creeper (7.05 vs 6.54) The SM465 is a good choice as well, and it's newer, and parts are easier to get.

Originally posted by 4Bangler
Um, let's see, $3000 or $100, how much do you want to spend on a transmission? I wish I could run an NV4500, but it's long, way, way, not even funny how way out of my price range, and not as user/rebuilder friendly as my SM420. The SM420 vs. SM465 debate is still raging somewhere, but I like the SM420 in a YJ because all of the front driveshaft issues are no problem, the driver's side diff eliminates complications with the huge buldge in the side of the case. Plus, the SM420 is shorter and has a lower creeper (7.05 vs 6.54) The SM465 is a good choice as well, and it's newer, and parts are easier to get.

I can get a used SM 465 with bellhousing, clutch fork and shifter for $425.

Wow, I just sold two SM465's with bellhousings, and NP205 t-cases attached for $150 each. The best trans to use for you adaptation would be a 2wd version, I just bought two 2wd SM420's in pretty good (rebuildable with just bearings, seals, and gaskets) for $50 for the pair, you need to quit shopping at junkyards and just start asking around. For $500 you should be ableto buy a complete '73 to '79 chevy 4wd pickup with a SM465/NP205 in it.

How is a 4500 less user/rebuild friendly? How would you know?
Have you ever rebuilt one? Or is this from the shop you know that rebuilds one every six months?

The decision revolves only around the need for a fifth gear.

If you don't need one do not waste a penny on the 4500.

I've never been inside a NV4500, but they don't get any simpler than the SM420, maybe that's what I should have said, not that the NV4500 is hard to work on, but it's definately got more stuff in it than an SM420 or even an SM465. To me, less parts=simple=easy=reliable=user/rebuilder friendly. If I still drove my Jeep on the 500+ mile commute from home to work every weekend I would jump all over the NV4500, but I can blow up five SM420's (doubt my 2.5 will ever do that) for the price of one NV4500.

if you got the money go with the NV4500. I've been running one for years now with different axles & R&P's and love it. The 5th gear is a life saver with the 6.5:1's I'm running now.

Sure the SM420 & 465 have been around forever but try getting new parts for them when the 400+HP V8 does one in.

Yes, parts for the SM420 are getting hard to find, hell, the newest one available is over 30 year old, but the SM465 was still in use a decade ago, and like I said, there's a gajillion of them out there, and they were used in trucks up to 2-1/2 ton, so breakage not due to improper assembly or real stupid abuse is rare, but if the funds are available and 5th gear is desireable, NV4500 all the way

Did I miss the part where the output from the tranny was covered (outside of length)? I am guessing it is a wash between the two, but that may be a consideration. What T-case are you planning on?

And it was mentioned earlier: the 465 gives up less length. With the 1" adapter from Novak, I am only adding a couple inches from the original setup (on a '62 CJ-5, T90 and D18, now a D20). Friendlier to the drivelines.

Course my puny 4.3L hasn't have the mind-numbing torque your V8 will, but either tranny tolerates torque and power quite well.

My farm-doner 465 was 75bucks, and it's fine. Will be going through the tranny and t-case with fresh, full rebuild kits, but both kits and the adapter are under $700. so for $775, I get new hardware from the motor to the drive shafts;)

Good luck

I'm using the 23 spline main shaft that came with the Novak adapter, the NV4500 is available withthe 23 spline output and factory adapters can be used to bolt up to the t-case and motor, but the cost difference in the tranmissions offsets the adapter cost by quite a bit.

I am trying to go cheap as possible here. If not having overdrive becomes a problem then I will get the NV4500 in time. I had a 79 CJ-7 with a 3 speed and granny and it was fine. I cruised the highways at 2500RPM in a 304 V8. Since it is not my daily driver it should not bother me. I also am conserned about the NV4500 lenght. My freind has one and it is long. I am to understand that the SM465 with the short transfercase adapter is actually shorter than my current set-up. The puetgeo crap. Or maybe it was the same lenght.

You already know what I'm gonna say, but I'll say it anyway... :flipoff2:

NV4500. Shifts like a dream (not a broomstick in an empty bucket). And, as I mentioned in my other post, they aren't as expensive as everyone thinks they are if you buy used.

HTH,
Jake

Yes, the SM465 or SM420 with your NP231 will be shorter than the pukejoke and NP231