Ok, I have a chance to get a NV4500 for a great price ~ free. Is this tranny worth the hassle to install into a 97 jeep TJ? The Jeep is pretty much trail only and I was wanting to move towards an auto, but for free???

It's a good tranny, many will claim overkill for a Jeep, but I like it.

Free = Not free after clutch, adapters, etc. If you want an auto, either sell the NV4500 or pass on it an go with an auto.

It's a good tranny, many will claim overkill for a Jeep, but I like it.

Free = Not free after clutch, adapters, etc. If you want an auto, either sell the NV4500 or pass on it an go with an auto.

Well I know that a free NV4500 comes with a price tag, that is one concern about the whole deal.

i put one in my 97 tj and love it

Which version is it? GM or Dodge?

If you can make it work then yes its a great upgrade and sets you up for some very nice crawler gearing later on down the road if you decide to run a 4:1 kit in your T-case. Not to mention overdrive and a sync'd first gear is cool.

The adapters for the thing aren't cheap either. I was pricing one out for an LT1 and the AA price was crazy and the bellhousings were 12 weeks out.

Which version is it? GM or Dodge?

If you can make it work then yes its a great upgrade and sets you up for some very nice crawler gearing later on down the road if you decide to run a 4:1 kit in your T-case. Not to mention overdrive and a sync'd first gear is cool.

It is a GM version. I already have the 4:1 T-case.

It is a GM version. I already have the 4:1 T-case.

The GM version is usually cheaper to adapt to. Plus theres more parts around for it.

What are you trying to decide on?

Cost probably isn't all that different, including the free tranny. I have one YJ with a NV4500 and another with a 4R70W. I like shifting gears and te control os the NV4500, but for crawling you can't beat the auto.

Go with what you like best, or you'll be wanting to change it in a year or two.

What are you trying to decide on?

Cost probably isn't all that different, including the free tranny. I have one YJ with a NV4500 and another with a 4R70W. I like shifting gears and te control os the NV4500, but for crawling you can't beat the auto.

Go with what you like best, or you'll be wanting to change it in a year or two.

Speaking from personal experience, if he already has a 4:1 kit in his t-case, coupled with that tranny his crawl will be insane and better then any auto because theres no slippage. Infact his gearing will be so low that he could literally stand on the brakes and leave it in first gear/low range and the chassis will twist from the torque until something breaks without stalling the engine out.

The whole Auto vs Standard tranny is a whole nother debate, but the fact that he already has the 4:1 opens up alot of options for him.

I currently run the AX-15 tranny so the shifting thing is not a problem. My crawl ratio is pretty good with the 4:1 + 5.13 gears.

I was just trying to figure out is the tranny worth the effort or not.

if you dont want it i will take it off of your hands. I have been wanting one for years.

if you dont want it i will take it off of your hands. I have been wanting one for years.

Well that is what I figured, if I did not use it someone else may!

I have a truck and live in San Diego :D

I have a truck and live in San Diego :D

Well then!

I love mine. What year is the one you're getting? The early Chevrolet units (1992...I've got one) came with a 6.34:1 granny 1st gear. It's pretty much bulletproof in something as light as a Jeep.

Only drawbacks are weight and size. It weighs about 100 more pounds than your stock transmission and if a TJ is like a YJ, you'll probably need an inch or so of body lift to squeeze it between the tub and TC skidplate.

Other than that, it makes sense to install a Chevy LSx engine at the same time using stock parts and not waste time farting around with adapters and paying the Advance Adapters Tax.

That or take it and sell it. Should be worth a pretty penny if it's 100% functional.


Jake

The NV4500 is beefy as hell.

Honestly, I would not do the NV4500 swap again. I run a 2003 dodge unit which I purchased brand new in 2003 with an atlas 4.3. When I did the install I did not imagine 3 and 4 speed t-cases would be coming out that could fit in a short package. If I were doing it now, I would have kept the NV3550 and run a 3 or 4 speed t-case.

My advise from someone that has done it is to not put it in. You will really shorten up your rear driveshaft and would be putting a lot more torque on the t-case, which isn't know for its strength. Rather than spending the money for the swap, you would be better off getting a multi-speed t-case or going auto.

Honestly, I would not do the NV4500 swap again. I run a 2003 dodge unit which I purchased brand new in 2003 with an atlas 4.3. When I did the install I did not imagine 3 and 4 speed t-cases would be coming out that could fit in a short package. If I were doing it now, I would have kept the NV3550 and run a 3 or 4 speed t-case.

My advise from someone that has done it is to not put it in. You will really shorten up your rear driveshaft and would be putting a lot more torque on the t-case, which isn't know for its strength. Rather than spending the money for the swap, you would be better off getting a multi-speed t-case or going auto.

Fair enough, but I would like to make a response to this. The NV4500 is significantly stronger then the NV3500 series trannies. I wouldn't call it as strong as any of the granny 4-speeds but its up there and its one less stock part to worry about breaking. Secondly depending on what t-case he has, being weak might be a mute point and if he has a 4:1 kit it's less stress on the tranny and more on everything farther down the driveline. I totally forgot about the length issue, I was spoiled since I ran a t-18 and D300 with a 26"+ driveshaft and didn't even think about it. How long is the NV4500 compared to the NV3500 or AX-15

Fair enough, but I would like to make a response to this. The NV4500 is significantly stronger then the NV3500 series trannies. I wouldn't call it as strong as any of the granny 4-speeds but its up there and its one less stock part to worry about breaking. Secondly depending on what t-case he has, being weak might be a mute point and if he has a 4:1 kit it's less stress on the tranny and more on everything farther down the driveline. I totally forgot about the length issue, I was spoiled since I ran a t-18 and D300 with a 26"+ driveshaft and didn't even think about it. How long is the NV4500 compared to the NV3500 or AX-15

I know the NV4500 is 6 inches longer than the NV3550. I am not sure on the AX-15, but it is probably pretty close. What got my swap started for the NV4500 atlas combo was breaking 2 np231's. I broke the tailstock and housing on the factory t-case (hack-n-tap), then I broke a chunk of the housing out of a JB conversions 231HD. The internals were still good in the 231HD and I sold them (wide chain and sye tailshaft).

What is first gear in an AX-15, 3.8:1? The first gear in the NV4500 is 5.6 or 6.3. IMO that extra torque will be hell on that T-case, at the least it will likely wear out chains quickly.

I am not trying to say it is a bad tranny. Truthfully, I have not regretted putting mine in. It is great for trail riding with the wide range of gear ratios.

For an install tip: You do not need a body lift to fit the trans. You only need to cut out around the shifter to get it to fit through the floor. Everywhere else clears, unless you are going flat skid. The trans still has room to fit, but it will make larger t-cases difficult to fit. I have the RE crossmember and it is one inch less than flat to the frame, which made it much easier to fit.

I know the NV4500 is 6 inches longer than the NV3550. I am not sure on the AX-15, but it is probably pretty close. What got my swap started for the NV4500 atlas combo was breaking 2 np231's. I broke the tailstock and housing on the factory t-case (hack-n-tap), then I broke a chunk of the housing out of a JB conversions 231HD. The internals were still good in the 231HD and I sold them (wide chain and sye tailshaft).

I concur, assuming he is running a NP231 case and not an atlas or Dana 300 style, which are pretty much bulletproof. I never liked the chain driven cases and have seen 1 and heard about another blown up on the trail, but never anything on my 300 or anybody elses for that matter. Again different variables and all that.

What is first gear in an AX-15, 3.8:1? The first gear in the NV4500 is 5.6 or 6.3. IMO that extra torque will be hell on that T-case, at the least it will likely wear out chains quickly. You are correct regarding the gear ratios. That lower gearing actually makes the tranny and motor for that matter work less but again it punishes anything farther down the driveline, it doesn't compound the stress like you are thinking.

I am not trying to say it is a bad tranny. Truthfully, I have not regretted putting mine in. It is great for trail riding with the wide range of gear ratios.

Its not a bad tranny, I don't care for them personally (If it was free though Id run that bitch though), I think any of the granny 4 speeds are better. In my t-18 I had no need or want to use a 6.3 first gear for anything on the road, and because of my tire size overdrive was pointless. To each his own.

For an install tip: You do not need a body lift to fit the trans. You only need to cut out around the shifter to get it to fit through the floor. Everywhere else clears, unless you are going flat skid. The trans still has room to fit, but it will make larger t-cases difficult to fit. I have the RE crossmember and it is one inch less than flat to the frame, which made it much easier to fit.

Interesting discussion.

I was assuming he meant the np231. Usually people tell you the what t-case it is when it's not stock. So what Tcase are you runnin? This could help plenty in the decision.

Blacksheep - Is that T18 a jeep or ford? Also, what engine do you have it mated to? Just curious.