New Venture Gear 4500 transmission


The New Venture Gear 4500, commonly called NV4500, is a 5-speed manual transmission manufactured by New Venture Gear and used in General Motors and Chrysler products from 1991-2007.
The NV4500 is a very popular 5-speed manual conversion and upgrade transmission in light trucks and SUVs from Toyota, Ford, Jeep, General Motors, and Dodge. Commercially produced adapters are available to mate this transmission with many different engines and transfer cases.
There were many subtle changes during the production of this transmission, but the main two variations were:

NV4500LD: Used in GM gas and diesel applications, and Dodge V8 gas applications.

NV4500HD: Used in Dodge light duty trucks with the Cummins Turbo Diesel, and the V10 Magnum gas engine.

Shared specifications

Dry weight: 195 lbs.

Oil capacity: 1 gallon

Max. GVW: 14,500 lbs.

Case material: Cast Iron

Synchronizers: Carbon fiber composite

Reverse Gears: Un-synchronized till 1996

Main/Counter shaft bearings: Timken tapered roller

Lubrication

Special Synthetic gear oil is required for proper operation and lifespan of the carbon composite gear synchronizers.
These are the only lubricants recommended by New Venture Gear for the NV4500:

GM Light truck

used the NV4500 as RPO MT8 & MW3 in 8500 + GVWR light trucks.
1991-2007 RPO MT8 & MW3 Shared Features:
1991-1994 RPO MT8 Features:
MT8 Gear ratios:
12345R
6.34 5.61 3.441.711.000.736.34 5.61

1995-2007 RPO MW3 Features:
MW3 Gear ratios:
12345R
5.613.041.671.000.735.61 5.04

Dodge Ram

Truck division used the NV4500 as NVG4500 in "Standard" and "Heavy Duty" applications.
Shared Standard Duty & Heavy Duty Features:
Standard Duty 1992.5-2005 order code DDP:
Heavy Duty 1994-2005 order code DDX:
Dodge Gear ratios:
12345R
5.613.041.671.000.735.61 5.04