NV4500 swap behind a 5.3 LS

[iamtherealJayy]

The SM465 and mechanical linkage is being absolute junk. Second gear sounds like a grinder and the mechanical linkage has given me problems since I got the truck. I decided I wanted a five speed. Looked into an nv3500, trans alone was around $500 local. Looked for an nv4500 those cam closer to 1400. I found a complete truck for 1600. Snagged it. I have a complete nv4500 with external slave I plan to swap into my k10. Truck isn’t lifted yet so I’m gonna lose my front driveshaft for the time being, but it is a work truck and mostly driven on the road. I believe the trans is from a 92? Or 93? But it is currently in a 97. I’m just wondering what all I can use from this truck and what all I still need? I cannot find hydraulic 85+ pedals for my truck anywhere. I found some on eBay for $800 and I just can’t do that. I currently have a 5.3 with a sachs1050 flywheel and stock sm465 12” clutch. I plan on using a 32 spline np208 behind the nv4500 so I don’t have to buy fancy adapters for the 205 which has its own issues. I figure I’ll have to get a custom driveshaft made?

 

[Ricko1966]

Look at kits to go hydraulic on old gm a f and x body's for a reference. You will have to engineer you're own master bracket,but retain O.E. pedals. Did a quick search for you here is a 68-72 C example.

 

[squaredeal91]

The NV is an awesome transmission and is tough. But they don't like to shift as fast as I sometimes I like to. If speed shifting ain't your thing should be no problem. @SquareRoot just did an NV swap. I can't remember the name of the thread.

 

[iamtherealJayy]

Getting a set of 85-87 hydraulic pedals is out of the question unless I stumble upon a complete truck I can snag quick enough for a deal. I’m wondering if I can’t use the master from the donor so I don’t even have to break the seal on the system and swap the master and slave over together. I did get to “test drive” the truck in first and second gear and reverse. It moves and shifts fine. Pedal feels nice where my mechanical clutch is not smooth at all. Shifting fast isn’t an issue, it’s a work truck rarely sees above 55mph. I daily it to work and go home and that’s all. I mainly need reliability from this truck and that’s the only objective. I’m just hoping I can get used to the five speed. My sm465 has so much slop I always hit fifth instead of third when I get in a five speed. I know some might think it’s ridiculous but since the trans is the earlier model with the lower? First? I’m keeping the 3.08’s and I plan on going to a 31-33” tire and a 2” lift. So far my only concern with the trans swap is the master cylinder and pedal geometry and a rear driveshaft. Front driveshaft will come later I don’t really abuse this truck much. Occasionally a pull to 4K is the most it sees. 3.08’s can get you to 60mph in second gear at 4000

 

[SquareRoot]

If it has the removable shift tower, you will be cutting a decent size hole in the floor to install and remove the trans. You can't tilt the engine far enough back to clear the shifter hole without hitting the dizzy on the firewall.
Using an adapter between the trans and 205 is a good thing. It helps keep the rear shaft shorter and the front shaft longer. The front shaft already uses a CV from the factory, don't make it worse.
308 gears will suck with this trans. 5th gear will be a dog and the advantage of OD will be lost. I temporarily used 4:10 and didn't like them. Went back to 4:56 with 32 inch tires and it is much better.

I have several sets of pedals. I won't give them away, I'd sell them for half of that eBay price you mentioned. But, I can't help you anytime soon as I'm in Scotland currently.

 

[iamtherealJayy]

@SquareRoot i have the removable floor tunnel, I also don’t have a dizzy to hit on the firewall lol it’s got a 5.3L, I tried to get a measurement of the bellhousing face of the sm465 to the driveshaft mount on the back of the 205, cane to roughly 3’. Tried to get a measurement of the bellhousing of nv4500 to the slip yoke on that tcase. I believe it’s 2” or so longer? Sound close-ish? My current np205 has many issues if it’s own. Speedo driven gear is stripped so my speedo and vss don’t work, output shaft seal is leaking, clunks in 4x4 etc. but I do have a perfectly fine 32 spline aluminum np208 sitting here I need to use for something. I hear it’s a direct bolt in. There is a driveshaft shop about a half hour from me, the np208 has a slip yoke correct? And the 205 has the ubolts where it mounts. I don’t know exactly what all needs to be changed on the driveshaft to make it work but I hear a rear driveshaft from a 700r4/208 truck should be about the same length I need?
Edit: I read tunnel not tower lol, I’m not sure it’s an early 90’s trans with a 95+ shifter? The slave is on passenger side supposedly, I can’t fit under the truck yet the torsion bars are out of it currently.

 

[Elliot W]

When I did my nv3500 I had a couple transmissions to try. The older ones with the external slave interfered with the 5.3 at the oil pan. I read somewhere that the NAPA slave cylinder is narrow enough to fit, I bought it but ended up going with a diff nv3500 with internal slave so I never verified the NAPA slave cylinder would fit. You may need to also make adjustments to the trans crossmember. My stock one was hacked, the first one I bought didn't fit right, and I got the second one to fit although the trans is tight in the tunnel. Also had to reposition the crossmember further back on the frame.

 

[BKING33]

you can bolt up the late model sealed hydraulic system to your square. Mine was that way when I bought my Burb.
I didn't like the pedal feel. clutch engaged right off the floor and the pedal was pretty stiff. I have seen swapped mine to the
correct hydro pedal setup and square body master cylinder.

 

[iamtherealJayy]

Hmm this is the first I’ve heard of the slave and oil pan not getting along. For cross men ever I’m going to use one from a th400, since I heard that it’ll work?
@BKING33 you mean like the master and slave of the donor truck? Or from an 85-87 truck? I saw where Jon Holovach used the master/slave from the donor and the stock mechanical pedal and made it work with his 6.0 NV4500 swap. Too bad he didn’t give a better view of where he drilled the pedal to mount the pushrod

 

[BKING33]

Yes when I bought my Burb the PO had installed the entire sealed hydraulic system from the donor and just drilled several holes in a mechanical clutch pedal to try and get it to work. It definitely didn't have correct alignment. Best way is to use correct hydro pedal and master from a squarebody.

 

[Ifyasquintitsmint]

Just did this swap, I had a 94 NV4500 mated to an LS. I went AA adapter and hydraulic setup. I used a Generic Wilwood pedal and master. I did not love the placement, but its usable. I'd prefer to have it down 2" and slightly towards the engine a bit more. I should have the photos in one of my threads showing placement. The 3.08 and NV4500 kinda sucks I'm looking to swap to a 3,73/4.10.

 

[iamtherealJayy]

@Ifyasquintitsmint whats the benefit of the AA bellhousing? I’m trying to get the best driveability from this truck. I’ve got 28” tires and 3.08’s I understand the gearing sucks. Any slight incline I have to take off in low. I do have a set of 3/4 ton axles I could swap in but I’d like to stay 6 lug for 15” aluminum wheels. I do know regardless of how I do it I wanna go the best way even if it costs the extra coin. I went to the 5.3 for the economy over the carb. I needed a rebuild regardless, this truck is my daily driver and the mechanical linkage just isn’t what it used to be, every so often the clutch fork changes angle and lose half my pedal. It did it last night on my way home pulling my Polaris rzr home. I don’t plan on towing much more than that with this truck so I don’t need all the low end torque or anything. @BKING33 I’ve found the hydraulic pedals from an 85-87 but they’re six hours away and $400. Kinda at one of those situations where I feel like I should buy a complete donor truck again lol.

 

[Ifyasquintitsmint]

@iamtherealJayy you need the AA adapter to put the slave on the other side of the trans. Wilwood pedals are ~$100, I couldn’t even find hydraulic pedals when I did my swap. It was pretty easy to install the aftermarket stuff just use the stock for a reference.

With 28” tires it’s probably better than mine lol! 31” really kill 1st with the Nv4500.

 

[Ricko1966]

@iamtherealJayy you need the AA adapter to put the slave on the other side of the trans. Wilwood pedals are ~$100, I couldn’t even find hydraulic pedals when I did my swap. It was pretty easy to install the aftermarket stuff just use the stock for a reference.

With 28” tires it’s probably better than mine lol! 31” really kill 1st with the Nv4500.

Can you link to the pedals you used? Please.

 

[SquareRoot]