95 K2500 Burb - Leave 4L80 or install NV4500? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

tim_zr2 · 05-12-2009, 12:33 PM

I'm surprised that I couldn't find any info on here about this! Hopefully this thread will be used in the future for others.

I've got a 1995 K2500 7.4L Burb, that I bought with a bad 4L80e transmission. I pulled the tranny and t-case out, and rebuilt them both. They are ready to be installed this weekend.

Today, I find that I have an opportunity to install a NV4500. The guy has a 1995 K3500 7.4L CrewCab, and is using the motor/tranny/t-case to put in a crawler build. He would rather have an automatic for his build, and we are considering a trade. He has a brand new clutch/pressure plate to go with the tranny, and will give me all of the parts that I will need to switch my Burb over to a manual.

Things like: Pedals, Master Cyl, Lines - What else will I need from him?

Since both vehicles are 1995 models, and both have the 7.4L V8, and both have the same Hydraboost brake setup, that it should be pretty straight forward to convert mine over for the NV4500.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but the T-case should be the same right? NP241 in both vehicles, and I believe that the NV shares the same spline count as the 4L80 (32 spline).

Do you see and obvious problems with this? Also, would you do the trade if it were you? Or just keep the 4L80e?

Primary use of the burb will be tow rig/expedition vehicle. I personally like the automatic for daily driving, but I really like the fact that the NV4500 is simple and reliable for expedition use. NV should allow for a little bit more fuel mileage, right?

I'd like to hear what you think about this situation!

-Tim

jays68yak · 05-12-2009, 01:17 PM

If I was in your shoes Id trade. Im tempted to do a nv swap to get rid of my 80e now.

tim_zr2 · 05-12-2009, 01:27 PM

Anyone know if the Cruise Control could be retained by doing this swap?

Also, what would you do with the column shifter? Leave it, or remove it?

-Tim

ChiScouter · 05-12-2009, 01:55 PM

Why trade a freshly rebuilt trans for a used one

The 4l80E is very proven and if kept cool should last another 100k. I am guessing that if the other guy is parting out the truck he bought it to do so, and the histroy of the NV4500 is somewhat unknown. Do you think you will get 100K from the used NV4500? I read a thread recently on the board regarding replacing a NV4500 during a trip and it sounded very expensive. 4l80E's seem to be plentiful and cheap used these days if you were caught in a bad situation far from home.

tim_zr2 · 05-12-2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiScouter

Why trade a freshly rebuilt trans for a used one

The 4l80E is very proven and if kept cool should last another 100k. I am guessing that if the other guy is parting out the truck he bought it to do so, and the histroy of the NV4500 is somewhat unknown. Do you think you will get 100K from the used NV4500? I read a thread recently on the board regarding replacing a NV4500 during a trip and it sounded very expensive. 4l80E's seem to be plentiful and cheap used these days if you were caught in a bad situation far from home.

Great point!

I should clarify that the original vehicle had less than 80k on before it was rolled over.

You're right though, the 4L80 is a proven transmission, especially for what I will be using it for.

What is really making me consider this, is because with the NV, even if something DOES fail, there is a good chance that I can drive it somewhere, if not back home.

I've had a few manual transmissions break on me, and i've been able to make it home every time. One time the slave cylinder went out, another time the clutch fork pivot broke.

I've only had 1 auto tranny go out, but it did leave me stranded.

The fuel mileage gain is also a plus. On a 3500 mile trip (planned for next month), 1-2mpg gain is pretty good.

The auto will be the easiest to install though....
Hmmm....

-Tim

Joey D · 05-12-2009, 04:00 PM

The 3500's used a borg warner t case vs your NP

tim_zr2 · 05-12-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joey D

The 3500's used a borg warner t case vs your NP

Good info!

Will that NV4500 bolt up to my 32 spline NP241c?

Also, will the t-case crossmember have to be modified? How about drivelines?

-Tim

trkklr77 · 05-12-2009, 10:31 PM

i always prefer manual trans.......

scottjkj1 · 05-13-2009, 03:02 PM

Ive always prefered the standard for towing. Had a NV4500 in a 3/4 ton and thrashed it, never a problem other than typical clutch replacement after 120,000 miles. Now the 4L80 in my burb is a different story, burnt up after 30,000 miles and dont ask what it cost to have it replaced it still hurts. But Ive heard good stuff on the 4L80 maybe mine was just s fluke.

wrench-head · 05-13-2009, 05:16 PM

The 241C with the 32 spline input is what the NV4500 uses. I swapped my NV3500 to the NV4500 in my tahoe and the 241C 32 spline input is what was in there.
-Alex

tim_zr2 · 05-14-2009, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrench-head

The 241C with the 32 spline input is what the NV4500 uses. I swapped my NV3500 to the NV4500 in my tahoe and the 241C 32 spline input is what was in there.
-Alex

Awesome, good to know.

Anyone have the overall length of the NV4500 with the bellhousing?

I've found some info that says a bare (minus bellhousing) 4x4 NV4500 is 18.5" long.

I know that the overall length of my 4L80e is 26.5", which includes the bellhousing of course.

Thanks for your help!

-Tim

trkklr77 · 05-14-2009, 08:20 AM

one thing that i have always liked about chevy is that 9/10 the crossmebers are deisgned to ba left in the same spot and reguardless of trany and tcase.

J-Ohlin · 05-14-2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trkklr77

one thing that i have always liked about chevy is that 9/10 the crossmebers are deisgned to ba left in the same spot and reguardless of trany and tcase.

TRUE. I just swaped from a 700r4 to 4500 in my 89 blazer, Just cut a hole in the floorfor the shifter and everything else bolted right up, even drive shafts.

tim_zr2 · 05-14-2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trkklr77

one thing that i have always liked about chevy is that 9/10 the crossmebers are deisgned to ba left in the same spot and reguardless of trany and tcase.

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Ohlin

TRUE. I just swaped from a 700r4 to 4500 in my 89 blazer, Just cut a hole in the floorfor the shifter and everything else bolted right up, even drive shafts.

That's good to hear! I think i've made my decision, and will soon have one very rare 1995 Burb!

I'll make sure and take some pics of the swap.

Thanks for the help!

-Tim

rickjames · 05-14-2009, 03:18 PM

Good luck, a 4500 burb is worth the buildup... I'm no pro, but i'd say that the 4500 could probably be rebuilt at home much easier than a 4l80. Just my $.02.

05-12-2009, 12:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
tim_zr2 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Member # 81908 Posts: 380	95 K2500 Burb - Leave 4L80 or install NV4500? I'm surprised that I couldn't find any info on here about this! Hopefully this thread will be used in the future for others. I've got a 1995 K2500 7.4L Burb, that I bought with a bad 4L80e transmission. I pulled the tranny and t-case out, and rebuilt them both. They are ready to be installed this weekend. Today, I find that I have an opportunity to install a NV4500. The guy has a 1995 K3500 7.4L CrewCab, and is using the motor/tranny/t-case to put in a crawler build. He would rather have an automatic for his build, and we are considering a trade. He has a brand new clutch/pressure plate to go with the tranny, and will give me all of the parts that I will need to switch my Burb over to a manual. Things like: Pedals, Master Cyl, Lines - What else will I need from him? Since both vehicles are 1995 models, and both have the 7.4L V8, and both have the same Hydraboost brake setup, that it should be pretty straight forward to convert mine over for the NV4500. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but the T-case should be the same right? NP241 in both vehicles, and I believe that the NV shares the same spline count as the 4L80 (32 spline). Do you see and obvious problems with this? Also, would you do the trade if it were you? Or just keep the 4L80e? Primary use of the burb will be tow rig/expedition vehicle. I personally like the automatic for daily driving, but I really like the fact that the NV4500 is simple and reliable for expedition use. NV should allow for a little bit more fuel mileage, right? I'd like to hear what you think about this situation! -Tim Last edited by tim_zr2; 05-12-2009 at 12:43 PM.

05-12-2009, 01:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
jays68yak Rock God Join Date: Apr 2003 Member # 19015 Location: Gilroy, CA Posts: 2,422	If I was in your shoes Id trade. Im tempted to do a nv swap to get rid of my 80e now. __________________ 1970 Chevy Truck cab on a 1979 Jimmy frame-8.1 liter 496 bbc/sm465/np203-jeds doubler-np205/d60/14bff Welded/42 tsls on recentered H1s 1998 Chevy Crew Cab K3500 SAS'd with hpd60, links and fox coilovers, 8.1 liter 496 bbc/4l80e/BWtcase. DD/towrig

05-12-2009, 04:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
Joey D Granite Guru Join Date: May 2003 Member # 20053 Location: Arlington MA Posts: 823	The 3500's used a borg warner t case vs your NP __________________ 98 K2500 SAS dynatrac pro rock 60, ORD high steer, RCV CV's, arb's front and rear, 4.56 gears 06 D Max Express

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05-12-2009, 01:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
tim_zr2 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Member # 81908 Posts: 380	Anyone know if the Cruise Control could be retained by doing this swap? Also, what would you do with the column shifter? Leave it, or remove it? -Tim

05-12-2009, 01:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
ChiScouter Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Feb 2002 Member # 9835 Location: Chicago Posts: 4,090	Why trade a freshly rebuilt trans for a used one The 4l80E is very proven and if kept cool should last another 100k. I am guessing that if the other guy is parting out the truck he bought it to do so, and the histroy of the NV4500 is somewhat unknown. Do you think you will get 100K from the used NV4500? I read a thread recently on the board regarding replacing a NV4500 during a trip and it sounded very expensive. 4l80E's seem to be plentiful and cheap used these days if you were caught in a bad situation far from home.

05-12-2009, 10:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
trkklr77 Banned Join Date: Apr 2004 Member # 29016 Location: galt ca, because i wanted my own backyard Posts: 15,354	i always prefer manual trans.......

05-13-2009, 03:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
scottjkj1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Member # 128417 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 97	Ive always prefered the standard for towing. Had a NV4500 in a 3/4 ton and thrashed it, never a problem other than typical clutch replacement after 120,000 miles. Now the 4L80 in my burb is a different story, burnt up after 30,000 miles and dont ask what it cost to have it replaced it still hurts. But Ive heard good stuff on the 4L80 maybe mine was just s fluke.

05-13-2009, 05:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
wrench-head Newbie Join Date: Dec 2006 Member # 84158 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 13	The 241C with the 32 spline input is what the NV4500 uses. I swapped my NV3500 to the NV4500 in my tahoe and the 241C 32 spline input is what was in there. -Alex

05-14-2009, 08:20 AM	#12 (permalink)
trkklr77 Banned Join Date: Apr 2004 Member # 29016 Location: galt ca, because i wanted my own backyard Posts: 15,354	one thing that i have always liked about chevy is that 9/10 the crossmebers are deisgned to ba left in the same spot and reguardless of trany and tcase.

05-14-2009, 03:18 PM	#15 (permalink)
rickjames Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Member # 102194 Location: los angeles Posts: 166	Good luck, a 4500 burb is worth the buildup... I'm no pro, but i'd say that the 4500 could probably be rebuilt at home much easier than a 4l80. Just my $.02.