4BT tranny choices?

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Kief

Kief

Joined
Apr 24, 2003
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Southwest Oregon
So, between the NV4500 and the h55f what would be the pro's and cons of the trannies behind the 4BT, running 33" tires, stock 3.7 gears in an 84 FJ60?
I know the toy 5speed shifts smoother and has a closer gear ratio-smaller as well(?). Is the the NV4500 tougher? I have driven a 60 with a 2F and this tranny and it felt very TRUCK like. If I ever go through with this I might have to go with an H42 for now ... TIA.
 
I would think the close ratio Toyota tranny would be better suited for the 4BT's narrow powerband. Wouldn't have to rev up much to catch the next gear.
But if you want to cruise on the interstate over 70MPH, the NV4500's 27% OD would be better than the H55's 15% OD. The NV4500 is a much heavier duty tranny. Rated for around 500 ft lbs torque. If you use the 4 speed you can forget about maintaining any speed over 50 MPH.
 
theres a newer NV5600 , think its called that , it's a 6 speed . you could use a T700R4 4 speed auto ( 4x4 ), alot of 4Bt's came with T400 3 speed auto , should be easy to blot one up. theres heaps of gearboxs & trannys you can use . also hear the torqueflite came behind a few of them
 
Yup

xtremitys said:
theres a newer NV5600 , think its called that , it's a 6 speed . you could use a T700R4 4 speed auto ( 4x4 ), alot of 4Bt's came with T400 3 speed auto , should be easy to blot one up. theres heaps of gearboxs & trannys you can use . also hear the torqueflite came behind a few of them
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I think Dieselcruiserhead is using that one.. out of a dodge I believe? I am poking around this whole swap idea right now. My choice will be influenced by cost and availability. I know I wish I had that OD on my 2f but I get by. OD would be a must for the diesel.
 
Having driven a lot of mles with a 4BT and several different trannies (TH400, 700R4, NV4500, and H55F), I would go with the H55F. It is a very smooth shifting tranny and not so clunky as the NV4500. One of the reasons I got rid of my 4BT powered FJ60 was the NV4500. I could hardly find reverse and first gears on several occassions.
So.....I went with an 80 with a 700R4. The power windows and locks are nice and the wife likes it more than the 60.
 
Grease Cruiser said:
Having driven a lot of mles with a 4BT and several different trannies (TH400, 700R4, NV4500, and H55F), I would go with the H55F. It is a very smooth shifting tranny and not so clunky as the NV4500. One of the reasons I got rid of my 4BT powered FJ60 was the NV4500. I could hardly find reverse and first gears on several occassions.
So.....I went with an 80 with a 700R4. The power windows and locks are nice and the wife likes it more than the 60.
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Yeah-well, I've been watching for an 80 with a dead motor but just haven't found one and it doesn't seem worth yankin' a good motor out of a higher priced unit. I think it would be a better all around rig for my clan especially with the 3rd row. I've got the 60 tho'.
 
Kief said:
Yeah-well, I've been watching for an 80 with a dead motor but just haven't found one and it doesn't seem worth yankin' a good motor out of a higher priced unit. I think it would be a better all around rig for my clan especially with the 3rd row. I've got the 60 tho'.
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I went with a 91 as the wife does not need lockers and does not praticularly like leather. I had a good running 3FE in mine and sold the engine for $1,500. It knocked the price down for a reasonable conversion.
The 3FE now runs in an FJ40 with H55F. It is one sick 40. So......we are all happy.
 
The Chevy NV4500 seems to have a better gearing option than the Dodge version. I have run the two Dodge versions and one Chevy and I really preferred the Chevy version.

Don't discount the slush boxes too though. The 700R4 is a great tranny behind the 4BT when its actually built for that application.
 
GM did change though. The 95 up GM NV4500's are the same as the Dodge versions except for the input shaft. The 93 and later Dodge and 95 up GM Nv4500's shift better than the earlier years.
 
FL cruiser said:
GM did change though. The 95 up GM NV4500's are the same as the Dodge versions except for the input shaft. The 93 and later Dodge and 95 up GM Nv4500's shift better than the earlier years.
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That makes sense. My FJ60 had a 91 GM NV4500. It shifted horribly and was a pain in the ass.
 
I had a '96 NV4500 and it shifted great.. It took a little time to get used to the slightly weird gearing, the first was too low for me so it was like a 3 speed with overdrive. But it is a decent shifting transmission IMO.... But I agree about the smoothness of the H55F, one of my favorites ever..

This time I went with a NV5600 this time to get gears that are closer together. IMO the gap between the 3rd and 4th gear is annoyingly large with the NV4500...
 
even in case you will go with the H55F ( I love this tranny ) you can down your R&P to 3.70 that make happy your 4BT with 35" tires ..
 
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