I know to alot of you this will be a stupid question, but gimme a break, I'm still young and learning all this stuff. Anyways, I'm looking to put an NV4500 into my truck because I dont like to run 3200 RPM constantly on the freeway. I currently have an SM465 and I was wondering how much an adapter would cost to have the 4500 mounted to the stock T-Case and all. Ebay sells rebuilt NV4500's for around 1 grand. Is that worth it? They have GM series ones and Dodge series one's. 4x4 and 4x2. Which would you recommend? My goal is low RPM at freeway speeds considering my cruiser is a daily driver.

Did ya check with AA for an adapter? They have them (prolly $500 or so) Also, does the GM version need a special bellhousing? - I seem to recall it is not a direct bolt-up to a SBC, but I could be (and hopefully am) wrong. Another thought (something I was told once - worth checking anyway), is that the Dana 300 transfer case is a direct bolt on to the NV4500 4 wd version. Ah, yes, the Dana 300 rear output is in the center of the case - not good for the Cruiser - so put a narrowed SF Dana 60 rear in! Might be cheaper overall:confused:

Sorry for the rambling semi-accurate answer, but it is the end of the business day!

Originally posted by CruisD64
Is that worth it? Which would you recommend? My goal is low RPM at freeway speeds considering my cruiser is a daily driver.


Just get some bigger tires. :D


Mo betta off road, way cheaper, looks cooler.
Win, win win...

Originally posted by KrustyKruiser
Ah, yes, the Dana 300 rear output is in the center of the case - not good for the Cruiser - so put a narrowed SF Dana 60 rear in!

Would a toyota minitruck rear axle work? It has a center diff. I could get one of those farely easily and have it bolted onto my cruiser in a just a few hours. I really want the NV4500. The Dana300 would also be a much better T-Case than my current 4-sp stock cruiser one.

As with all of these conversions, a number of factors come into play. Foremost is the type of OEM NV4500. Both GM and Dodge have 2WD and 4WD versions of the NV4500 and each is different. My information is several years old, so prices may be low. AA makes an adapter for the 4WD GM version of the NV to the 10-, 16- and 19-spline Toyota transfer cases. This uses a spud shaft over the end of the 32-spline NV output shaft. The cost was about $600.

The NV4500 wil not mate to the early GM SBC bellhousings. You either need a late-model GM housing or one supplied by AA (another $300).

A Dodge 4WD NV4500 (23 spline) that was originally mated to an NP231 will bolt directly to the Dana 300. AFIK this is the only NV4500 that will mate to the D300. The downside there is that the Dodge NV will not bolt to a GM bellhousing, so you need to purchase an adapter plate to mate it to the GM engine.

AA has a very informative booklet specifically for the NV4500. If you are interesting in such a conversion, you definitely should get that publication.

Bottom line is you are looking at a minimum of $2K to do it....

Jack - Doesn't the atlas come in a bolt on version? I sold my NV off, so I haven't thought about it much, but I thought that was one of the Atlas bolt patterns...

Yes Jim, IIRC the Atlas is a bolt on, but I don't recall which NV that works on (GM or Dodge, 2 or 4WD).

Originally posted by Medusa
Yes Jim, IIRC the Atlas is a bolt on, but I don't recall which NV that works on (GM or Dodge, 2 or 4WD).

Jack/Jim - probably the Dodge model - the Atlas has the same mounting configuration as a Dana 300, therefore it follows that only the Dodge version is the direct Dana 300 bolt-up then that follow true for the Atlas. Andy

I have owned one NV4500 2F powered FJ40, and built another NV4500 350 powered for a customer, if you have 4.11's and 35" tires, there is no way to justify the $$ it costs to do this. A stout
2F will barely be able to utilize the OD, not enough HP.
A 350 really don't need the lower RPM to be happy.
Nice tranny, but my dollars can go somewhere else.

Things to consider, to hook to either engine unless you want to try and utilize the POS GM slave system you will have to buy an AA bell housing,
The only Tcases the NV4500 bolts directly onto from the factory are all chain driven aluminum and most are passengers side drop and long, way too long for a 40
Butch

I'm in the prosess right now of installing a dodge NV4500HD in my cruiser. I got a 2WD trans. to start with cause the price was right, changed the output shaft to a 29 spline (HD) 4WD unit, and mounted a stock dodge 4WD tail housing. I then bolted up a dana 300 with the AA 29 spline input shaft to complete the rear, for the front, I used a Borge Warner super brute clutch disc for the 1 1/8 10 spline input shaft of the dodge, a .750 I.D. pilot bushing from AA, and the adapter plate to mate the dodge HD trans. to the standard chevy bell housing. (the dodge input shaft is 1" longer then the chevy so it bolts right up using the 1" spacer / adapter) this is a very easy swap, and if you do the right thing and drop a small block in place of that boat anchor (straight 6) you'll have the power to turn 36s and the fuel economy to run down the highway. The shifter comes out within 1" of the stock location, (not like the 420 that comes out through the heater)
Check your local dodge dealer parts dept. I got my trany for 50.00 as it was replaced under warrenty for the 5th gear nut, and the parts guys were tired of looking at it.
Good Luck,
Dave.

I now own the Cruiser Texican referenced in his remarks above. My experience is with a 4.88 rear end the over drive is perfect. I have 36" tires to boot. I also have the H55f in another FJ-40 with a 4.11 rear end and 33 inch tires. While I do not have a tach in either the RPM's in 5th gear seem about the same to me. Both are 2-F powered with Weber carb, headers, no smog etc.;)