The New Venture Gear 3500, commonly called NV3500, is a 5-speed overdrive manual transmission manufactured by New Venture Gear and used by GM and Dodge in compact and full-size light trucks.
It can be identified by its two-piece aluminum case with integrated bell housing and top-mounted tower shifter.
Similar transmissions[edit]
In North America the NV3550 is used by Jeep with the 4.0L inline 6. It looks similar to and could be mistaken for the Dodge NV3500. However the Jeep NV3550 bellhousing bolts to the transmission case.
The 5 speed manual New Venture 3550 (NV-3550) Transmission is primarily used in 6 cylinder, 4.0 Liter, Jeep Wrangler models from 2000 thru 2004. The High Gear NV3550 is a tough and reliable transmission. We sell re-manufactured NV3550 manual transmissions and you can buy from us with confidence because we proudly stand behind all of our products. Lubricant: In our experience Valvoline Synchromesh works best in the jeep NV3550 units. GLS - Mopar, Part # 04874464. Capacity (Refill): Wrangler, TJ (2000-2002) 2.3 Liters 4.9 Pt.
There are four GM medium duty transmission designs that led to and are often mistaken for the NV3500:
- 1987 MG-290 MG= Muncie Gear
- 1988 HM-290 HM= Hydramatic Muncie
- 1989 5LM60 (early)
- 1991 NVG 5LM60 (lateNVG= New Venture Gear
- 1993[1] New Venture Gear releases the NV3500. Externally the earlier GM units look like the NV3500; however the internal components were extensively redesigned.
- The HM290 and 5LM60 units have a complicated arrangement of 4 shift rails. The NV3500 has one shift rail.[2]
- There are two designs for the 5LM60 input shaft and bearings (input shaft and main shaft). The first design 1988–1990 has a ball bearing with a roller bearing behind it. The second design has a much larger single ball bearing. The first design bearings are reputed to be failure prone.[3] The updated input shaft and bearings carried through to the NV3500.
- All 5 of these transmissions can be interchanged as a complete unit with the following caveats.
- 'Drop-in' interchanges between GM S (S10 etc.) and C/K trucks will require modification of driveshaft length and crossmember placement. GM S models have a longer tail-shaft than C/K trucks.
- Master & slave cylinder bore sizes went from standard to metric in 1992 (Master: 11/16'->18mm, Slave 13/16' ->20mm)
- GM and Dodge transmissions will not interchange.
- The case and bellhousing are one piece with differing, engine specific, bellhousing bolt patterns.
- Dodge uses Dodge specific input shaft length, spline count, and pilot diameter.
- Dodge output spline count differs from the GM units.
Lubrication[edit]
Lubricants for the NV3500:
- OEM Recommended:
- Mopar Manual Transmission Lubricant (4874464)
- GM Synchromesh Transmission Fluid (in US 12377916 in Canada 10953465)
- Less expensive alternatives CERTIFIED to meet GM 9985648 and Chrysler MS-9224:
Capacity:
- NV3500 4.2 pints DRY is stated in the Owners Manual and the Service Manual.
- NV3500-HD 2.0 Litres is stated in the Owners Manual and the Service Manual.
- When performing a fluid change some of the old oil will not drain out.
NOTE:
- 5W30 engine oil does not contain additives for use in manual transmissions.
- Additives in standard gear and axle lubes will etch the bronze synchronizers and 80W oil will not properly flow into the NV3500 bearings.
Applications of the NV3500[edit]
- 1993–1998 Chevrolet & GMC CK with 4.3 liter V6 and 5.0 liter V8 and 5.7 liter V8
- 1999–2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2500LD
- 1999–2006 GMC Sierra 1500 and 2500LD
- 1993–2003 GM S (S10 etc.) trucks with 4.3 liter V6
- 1994–2004 Dodge Ram 1500 [4]
- 1994–1995 Dodge Ram 2500 Light Duty
- 1994-2004 Dodge Dakota
- 2002-2004 Jeep Liberty with 3.7 L PowerTech V6
- 2000-2004 Jeep Wrangler with 4.0 AMC Straight 6
Dodge Ram order code DDC
General Motors RPO codes[1]
Full-size CK, Silverado, Sierra MG5
Small trucks S10 etc. M50
Features[edit]
- Single shift rail unlike the HM290 and 5LM60[2]
- Distance between the centerline of the mainshaft and the countershaft is 85mm.[1][5]
- Fully synchronized forward and reverse gears.
- A two piece aluminum housing with no access plates.
- A shift tower mounted shift lever.
- GM RPO codes;
- Wide-ratio MG5
- Close-ratio M50
- Dodge order code DDC
- The Medium duty version is rated for 300 ft-lbf of torque
- The Dodge Dakota NV3500-HD version was rated for 340ft-lb of torque.[6] There is no GM variant of the NV3500-HD.
- Max GVWR: 7,200 lb[6]
- Max GCVWR: 11,000 lb[6]
- Weight 110 lb with oil
Wide Ratio Gearing Option in Dodge 1500 & GM Full-size Light Trucks:[6][1]
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.02 | 2.32 | 1.40 | 1.00 | 0.73 | 3.55 |
Close Ratio GM S/T Small Trucks[1] & 2500 Light Duty Dodge Ram Truck Gearing:[7]
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.49 | 2.16 | 1.40 | 1.00 | 0.73 | 3.55 |
Close Ratio NV3500-HD Dodge Dakota Gearing:[6]
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.49 | 2.14 | 1.38 | 1.00 | 0.73 | 3.55 |
Instructions[edit]
These are considered extremely difficult transmissions to rebuild. Special tools are required for a full rebuild.[3]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ abcde'Archived copy'. Archived from the original on 2000-12-14. Retrieved 2008-10-16.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link) CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ ab'Archived copy'. Archived from the original on 2008-02-20. Retrieved 2008-02-13.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link) CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ ab[1]Archived 2006-05-26 at the Wayback Machine
- ^'Ram NV3500 Specifications'. Dodgeram.org. 2000-02-06. Retrieved 2017-03-07.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- ^1998 Chevrolet and GMC C/K Truck Service Manual 2nd edition Vol.4, 1999 General Motors Corp. All Rights Reserved
- ^ abcde'Ram NV3500 Specifications'. Dodgeram.org. 2000-02-06. Retrieved 2017-03-07.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- ^'NV3500 for Sale, Dodge New Venture Transmission Specs ,M50, MG5'. Smartpartsauto.com. Retrieved 2017-03-07.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
External links[edit]
Description
66-77 Ford Bronco NV3550 Transmission Swap Kit
This is a REBUILT NV3550 Transmission. The NV 3550 transmission early Bronco conversion kit comes with all the adapters and hardware to install this 5-speed transmission in your 66-77 Classic Ford Bronco.NV3550 Transmission Swap Kit Includes:
- REBUILT NV3550 5-Speed Manual Transmission
- NV3550 to Ford Small Block V8 Bellhousing Adapter
- NV3550 Transmission to Bronco Dana 20 Transfer Case Adapter
- 66-77 Ford Bronco NV3550 Custom Crossmember
- Custom Clutch Disc & Pilot Bearing for NV3550 Bronco Swap
- Clutch Pilot Tool
The overall length and weight of the NV3550 Transmission is very similar to the stock manual or automatic transmissions so no driveline modifications are required when performing this swap.
The NV 3550 transmission is rated for 300 ft./lbs at 7200 GVW so strength and durability are not an issue. This tranny has a 22% overdrive and a low first gear of 4.01:1 making it an all around perfect match for the 66-77 Ford Bronco. This conversion kit can be shipped through either LTL Truck Freight or FedEx Ground shipping services
NOTE A minimal body lift or minimal floor pan support modification is required to install this transmission. If you have a factory jstyle shifter for your transfer case, it will require HEAVY modification to make it work. To make things easier, you can install a twin stick j shifter, although it will still requite some modification to work properly. T-Style twin sticks will also require minimal modification. A simple bolt in procedure would require a t-style transfer case, mated with out part no 5000 t-case shifter handle which is available here.
Secondary Note: If you are planning on rebuilding your transfer case at the same time as putting in the NV3550, it would be a great time to go to the t-style transfer case due to the ease of installation of the shifter (for those that currently have a j-style t-case).
Watch our 7 part Video Series showing installation of the NV3550 5-Speed Transmission Conversion Kit into an early Ford Bronco
NOTE: Please notate the serial # on your transmission. ALL warranties will require this serial number.
We recommend use of our short throw shifter option on these kits. The standard shift tower is not nearly as tight as we prefer. The short throw shifter handle makes shifting much easier and feels great. You will want to heat and bend the shift handle during installation for a comfortable location.
Prop. 65 Warning for California Residents
WARNING: This product may contain chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Learn more
Nv3550 Disassembly
ReviewsB&M Precision Sport Shifter In A 2001 Jeep TJ NV3550
Average Customer Rating: (1 customer review)
Review by: Mike, Mar 1, 2015
I bought this kit having replaced the clutch in my Bronco long ago. I had read an article on Bronco Driver about it and thought I could do it. Thanks to the video instructions, and ready help from the Tom's tech help line,(I spoke to the technician who had made the videos) installation was smooth. It was obvious that the people at Tom's really knew this process. Now my Bronco shifts smooth and easy, and I have overdrive. I would recommend this kit to any home wrencher who wants better performance, smooth shifting, and five speeds.Fast Shipping
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