The NV4500 transmission identification tag is attached to the shifter top cover. The tag provides the transmission model number, build date, and part number. Be sure not to remove the ID tag during the conversion. The information on this tag is essential for ordering the correct replacement parts. Since we use various transmission configurations for the different types of transfer case and bellhousing adapters, be sure to examine the application for your particular conversion before finalizing the purchase of a New Venture 4500.

GM 4WD NV4500
During the first two years of the New Venture 4500, Chevy offered this 5 speed with a 6.35:1 1st gear, 2nd 3.44:1; 3rd 1.71:1, 4th 1:1 ratio, and a 27% overdrive. It was also the first year that Chevy changed the bellhousing-to-transmission bolt pattern. This transmission is ideal when converting your vehicle, providing an ultra-low 1st gear. GM, however, only produced this particular ratio during these years. The major complaint of this 5 speed was stiff shifting and noise in 3rd gear.

Identification of this transmission can be obtained by using the identification charts on this site or in an Advance Adapters manual. Due to the interchangeability of other New Venture components, we also recommend that you verify the following information. Starting at the front, this GM transmission should have an input shaft pilot tip diameter of .590”. The spline of the input is 1-1.8” diameter 10 spline and protrudes approximately 6-5/8” from the face of the transmission. This input shaft CANNOT be interchanged with any other New Venture input shafts other than transmissions with the same 1st gear ratio unless you change the counter drive gear also. The front bearing retainer index is 5.125”, with a snout diameter of 1.373”, and a front bolt pattern as shown. The shifter stud on the top cover is a male threaded connection. The rear of this transmission has an aluminum adapter housing which measures 8-1/8” long; and the output shaft is 32 spline. Most transfer case adapters for this transmission will require the replacement of the tailhousing and the shortening of the output shaft.

Note: This transmission cannot be used with a Ford engine.
GM 4WD NV4500 (1995)
This transmission is identical to the 1993-94 transmission, except the 1st gear ratio has been changed to 5.61:1; 2nd 3.04:1; 3rd 1.67:1; 4th 1:1, and a 27% overdrive. The noise and shifting problems had been corrected.

Identification of this transmission can be obtained by using the identification charts on this site or in an Advance Adapters manual. Due to the interchangeability of other New Venture components, we also recommend that you verify the following information. Starting at the front, this GM transmission should have an input shaft pilot tip diameter of .590". The spline of the input is 1-1.8” diameter 10 spline and protrudes approximately 6-5/8" from the face of the transmission. This input shaft can be interchanged with other New Venture input shafts with this 1st gear ratio. The front bearing retainer index is 5.125", with a snout diameter of 1.373", and a front bolt pattern as shown above. The shifter stud on the top cover is a male threaded connection. The rear of this transmission has an aluminum adapter housing which measures 8-1/8” long; and the output shaft is 32 spline. Most transfer case adapters for this transmission will require the replacement of the tailhousing and the shortening of the output shaft.

GM 4WD NV4500 (1996 & Newer)
This transmission has the same gear ratio as the 1995 version (1st 5.61:1; 2nd 3.04:1; 3rd 1.67:1; 4th 1:1, and a 27% overdrive). Chevy once again changed the bellhousing-to-transmission bolt pattern and went to a larger bellhousing index diameter. The new bolt pattern and index are the same as the Dodge Standard Duty NV4500. These transmissions use a GM internal release bearing.

Identification of this transmission can be obtained by using the identification charts on this site or in an Advance Adapters manual. Due to the interchangeability of other New Venture components, we also recommend that you verify the following information. Starting at the front, this GM transmission should have an input shaft pilot tip diameter of .590”. The spline of the input is 1-1.8" diameter 10 spline and protrudes approximately 6-5/8” from the face of the transmission. This input shaft can be interchanged with other New Venture input shafts with this 1st gear ratio. The front bearing retainer index is 5.600”. This transmission uses an aluminum front retainer without a release bearing snout. The stock GM bellhousing used an internal release bearing that mounted to the font of this transmission. Most bellhousing adapters for this transmission will either require the replacement of the retainer or, on some applications, an adapter retainer bolted to the front of the stock GM aluminum retainer. The shifter stud on the top cover is a male threaded connection. The rear of this transmission has an aluminum adapter housing which measures 8-1/8" long; and the output shaft is 32 spline. Most transfer case adapters for this transmission will require the replacement of the tailhousing and the shortening of the output shaft.

GM 2WD NV4500 (1993 & Newer)
These transmissions have the same front bolt pattern dimensions and rear ratios as the corresponding year 4WD NV4500 version

These transmissions have a shorter tailhousing and a fixed output yoke. These tailhousings did not use a standard mechanical speedometer drive, but were equipped with an electronic speedometer setup. Connection to this speedometer must be considered.

We have found these transmissions to be the best suited for full size ford trucks that have the independent transfer case. The speedometer on this application would remain in the stock transfer case, and the short NV4500 tailhousing allows room for the short driveline between the transmission and the transfer case. To fit this transmission to a Ford bellhousing, a new Dodge input shaft is required. NOTE: The Dodge input shaft will not work in the GM NV4500s with the 6.34:1 1st gear ratio. Identification of this transmission can be obtained by using the identification charts on this site or in an Advance Adapters manual.

GM NV4500 (Commercial Truck Style)
Specialty aftermarket NV4500’s manufactured for commercial truck applications (such as UPS trucks) may also be located in various salvage yards. The front portion of the transmission is comparable with all the various GM NV4500 transmissions; however, the tailhousing will need to be changed along with the transmission output shaft. These units can sometimes be purchased at a considerable savings, since the output yoke is not compatible for 4WD and conventional light-duty truck applications.

Dodge 4WD NV4500 (1993-98)
These transmissions have the same front bolt pattern and bearing retainer index as the 1996-99 Chevy NV4500 transmission. The gear ratios of all Dodge version NV4500s remained the same, which is 1st gear of 5.61:1; 2nd 3.04:1; 3rd 1.67:1; 4th 1:1 ratio, and a 27% overdrive. These transmissions use a 7-1/2” long input shaft which allows the sue of an adapter plate between a stock bellhousing and the NV4500 transmission.

Identification of this transmission can be obtained by using the identification charts on this site or in an Advance Adapters manual. Due to the interchangeability of other New Venture components, we also recommend that you verify the following information. Starting at the front, this Dodge transmission should have an input shaft pilot tip diameter of .750”. The spline of the input is 1-1/8” diameter 10 spline and protrudes approximately 7-1/2” from the face of the transmission (some early Dodge NV4500s had a 1” -19 spline input shaft). This input shaft can be interchanged with other New Venture input shafts with this 5.61 1st gear ratio. The front bearing retainer index is 5.60”, and has a snout diameter of 1.43” for the release bearing. Most bellhousing adapter for this transmission will either retain this stock retainer as it is or will require some machining on it. The shifter stud on the top cover is a male square connection. The rear of this transmission has an aluminum adapter housing which measures 6-1/4” long, and the output shaft is 23 spline. Transfer case adapters for this transmission will sometimes replace this tailhousing with one of ours or, in many cases, retain this stock housing by using an adapter plate.

Dodge 4WD NV4500 (1999-2000)
These transmissions are identical to the 1993-98 Dodge transmission with the exception of the transmission shift stud. Dodge changed the square style handle receiver to a metric 14mm threaded stud.

Dodge 4WD NV4500 (2001 & Newer)
These transmissions are identical to the 1999-2000 Dodge transmissions. NOTE: The output shaft on 2001 & newer models was changed to 29 spline.

Dodge 2WD NV4500 (1993-98)
These transmissions have the same front bolt pattern and bearing retainer index as the Dodge 4WD NV4500. The gear ratios of the Dodge 2WD version are the same as the Dodge 4WD version (1st gear of 5.61:1; 2nd 3.04:1; 3rd 1.67:1; 4th 1:1 ratio, and a 27% overdrive). These transmissions use a 7-1/2” long input shaft which allows the use of an adapter plate between a stock bellhousing and the NV4500 transmission. Identification of this transmission can be obtained by using the identification charts on this site or in an Advance Adapters manual. The tailhousing of this transmission is 13” long and uses a slip yoke with 30 splines. This transmission works great for most 2WD installations since it used a mechanical speedometer drive. On 1998 Standard Duty 2WD transmissions, New Venture moved the speedometer pickup from the tailhousing back to the rear axle. If you obtain one of these transmissions, you will be required to change the tailhousing and output shaft to components from an earlier Dodge 2WD if you wish to have a working speedometer.

Dodge 2WD NV4500 (1999 & Newer)
These transmissions are identical to the 1993-98 Dodge transmission with the exception of the transmission shift stud. Dodge changed the square style shift handle receiver to a metric 14mm threaded stud. On these Standard Duty 2WD transmissions, New Venture moved the speedometer pickup from the tailhousing back to the rear axle. If you obtain one of these transmissions, you will be required to change the tailhousing and output shaft to components from an earlier Dodge 2WD if you wish to have a working speedometer.

Dodge 4WD Heavy-Duty NV4500 (1993-98)
This transmission is normally used up to the Cummins Diesel. This transmission is best suited for Dodge 4WD Getrag 5 speed replacements and Toyota Land Cruisers retaining the stock six cylinder engine. We DO NOT advise using this transmission for other applications because you will be required to change the Heavy-Duty front input and rear output shafts of this transmission.

Identification of this transmission can be obtained by using the identification charts on this site or in an Advance Adapters manual. Due to the interchangeability of other New Venture components, we also recommend that you verify the following information. Starting at the front, this Dodge transmission should have an input shaft pilot tip diameter of .750”. The spline of the input is 1-1/4” diameter 10 spline and protrudes approximately 7-1/2” from the face of the transmission. This input shaft can be interchanged with other New Venture input shafts with this 5.61 1st gear ratio. The front bearing retainer index is 5.60”, and has a snout diameter of 1.75” for the release bearing. Most bellhousing adapters for this transmission will require some machining. The shifter stud on the top cover is a male square connection. The rear of this transmission has an aluminum adapter housing which measures 6-1/4” long, and the output shaft is 29 spline.

Dodge 4WD Heavy-Duty NV4500 (1999 & Newer)
These transmissions are identical to the 1993-98 Dodge HD transmission, with the exception of the transmission shift stud. Dodge changed the square style shift handle receiver to a metric 14mm threaded stud.

Dodge 2WD Heavy-Duty NV4500 (1993-98)
These transmissions have the same front bolt pattern and bearing retainer index as the Dodge 4WD Heavy-Duty NV4500 transmission. This transmission should only be used for the Cummins Diesel Getrag replacement. Identification of this transmission can be obtained by using the identification charts on this site or in an Advance Adapters manual. The tailhousing of this transmission is 13” long and uses a slip yoke with 31 splines. If you obtain a 1998 Heavy-Duty transmission, you will be required to change the tailhousing on output shaft to components from an earlier Heavy-Duty Dodge 2WD if you wish to have a working speedometer.

Dodge 2WD Heavy-Duty NV4500 (1999 & Newer)
These transmissions are identical to the 1993-98 Dodge HD transmission with the exception of the transmission shift stud. Dodge changed the square style shift handle receiver to a metric 14mm threaded stud. On these Heavy-Duty 2WD transmissions, New Venture moved the speedometer pickup from the tailhousing back to the rear axle. If you obtain one of these Heavy-Duty transmissions, you will be required to change the tailhousing back to the rear axle. If you obtain one of these Heavy-Duty transmissions, you will be required to change the tailhousing and output shaft to components from an earlier Heavy-Duty Dodge 2WD if you wish to have a working speedometer.