Builds Lexus LX450 Cummins 6bt/NV4500 swap (1 Viewer)

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So on the advice of my builder, having already fried one transmission, I ordered a transmission cooler to increase the capacity of mine and hopefully completely prevent any repeat problems I've had. Also, I got a cover kit with a stout sight gauge, so I can see with own two eyes whether the updated updated transmission adapter is keeping the t-case and transmission's fluids separate! ~$200 worth of parts to add a measure of protection on transmission seems like a good deal to me. While you've got your whole motor getting prepped, maybe something to think about?

Transmission Coolers - TRANSMISSION COOLER - FAST COOLER ('89-'15, 5-SPEED AND 6-SPEED)
Transmission Coolers - FAST COOLERS COVER WITH SIGHT GLASS & BLANK COVER
 
thegogglesdonothing said:
So on the advice of my builder, having already fried one transmission, I ordered a transmission cooler to increase the capacity of mine and hopefully completely prevent any repeat problems I've had. Also, I got a cover kit with a stout sight gauge, so I can see with own two eyes whether the updated updated transmission adapter is keeping the t-case and transmission's fluids separate! ~$200 worth of parts to add a measure of protection on transmission seems like a good deal to me. While you've got your whole motor getting prepped, maybe something to think about?

Transmission Coolers - TRANSMISSION COOLER - FAST COOLER ('89-'15, 5-SPEED AND 6-SPEED)
Transmission Coolers - FAST COOLERS COVER WITH SIGHT GLASS & BLANK COVER
Click to expand...
These coolers and sight glass look like a good option. Also has a 1/4" NPT to add a temp sensor. I may need to pick a pair up.

Now if Dustin would just send me the damn updated adapter already!!!
 
I'm not sure we really need coolers and temp sensors on out manual transmission.

I can understand if you are towing 18K lbs around the Rockies but for our use the transmission should never get hot enough to worry about with the correct fluid level.

A friend of mine has come up with a way to actively monitor fluid level so well see how that works out. He is testing it right now on his nv4500 in his 80 series.
 
Wheelingnoob said:
I'm not sure we really need coolers and temp sensors on out manual transmission.

I can understand if you are towing 18K lbs around the Rockies but for our use the transmission should never get hot enough to worry about with the correct fluid level.

A friend of mine has come up with a way to actively monitor fluid level so well see how that works out. He is testing it right now on his nv4500 in his 80 series.
Click to expand...
Agree that our trans should never get too hot, but the peace of mind being able to monitor it would be nice. What method did your friend come up with? Sounds interesting.
 
Wheelingnoob said:
I'm not sure we really need coolers and temp sensors on out manual transmission.

I can understand if you are towing 18K lbs around the Rockies but for our use the transmission should never get hot enough to worry about with the correct fluid level.

A friend of mine has come up with a way to actively monitor fluid level so well see how that works out. He is testing it right now on his nv4500 in his 80 series.
Click to expand...

Want to share the details on this?
 
Part of me feels like adding the cooler is overkill, but the minimal expense to give me a little extra peace of mind is worth it. And with a transmission temp gauge, I'll be squared away. The kick-in-the-balls feeling of frying that first transmission has left a lasting impression with me, so I want bulletproof, not iffy. Trust, but verify, so to speak.
 
thegogglesdonothing said:
Part of me feels like adding the cooler is overkill, but the minimal expense to give me a little extra peace of mind is worth it. And with a transmission temp gauge, I'll be squared away. The kick-in-the-balls feeling of frying that first transmission has left a lasting impression with me, so I want bulletproof, not iffy. Trust, but verify, so to speak.
Click to expand...

Did you blow up an NV4500? Or are you talking about something else?

From what I have read, it seems like the only way you get troubles with this transmission are towing huge loads (over 17,000 lbs gross which would be what, an 11-12,000lb trailer for the 80 guys?) or on/off throttling in 5th gear while towing, causing the gear to move and eventually fail.

I don't know about you, but I don't foresee myself towing anything close to 12,000 lb trailer with my rig.




EDIT for interesting info: there's a reason 5th is hotter running than 4th. No power goes through the gears in 4th. All 4th does is lock the input shaft to the main shaft. All the other gears still turn since they are constant mesh, but as a rule each gear interchange in series costs 3% compounding. Any gear you use other than 4th actually has power going from the input, to the counter, and then back to the chosen gear, so about 6% of your horsepower is converted into heating up the transmission. Virtually none is transmitted to heat loss in 4th since all it's doing is sloshing oil around.

Source: totalloser nv4500 cooler question - Page 2 - Dodge Cummins Diesel Forum


EDIT again: Seems like the people who have real problems with this transmission are people who tow all the time and cruise in 5th gear. These people are running a truck and trailer combined weight of 25-28,000 lbs.
 
Last edited:
kowalski said:
Did you blow up an NV4500? Or are you talking about something else?

From what I have read, it seems like the only way you get troubles with this transmission are towing huge loads (over 17,000 lbs gross which would be what, an 11-12,000lb trailer for the 80 guys?) or on/off throttling in 5th gear while towing, causing the gear to move and eventually fail.

I don't know about you, but I don't foresee myself towing anything close to 12,000 lb trailer with my rig.

you could get the heat sync with the incorporated sight gauge from here for about $200USD : Transmission Coolers

1997_1851_large.jpg
FASTCOOL.jpg



EDIT for interesting info: there's a reason 5th is hotter running than 4th. No power goes through the gears in 4th. All 4th does is lock the input shaft to the main shaft. All the other gears still turn since they are constant mesh, but as a rule each gear interchange in series costs 3% compounding. Any gear you use other than 4th actually has power going from the input, to the counter, and then back to the chosen gear, so about 6% of your horsepower is converted into heating up the transmission. Virtually none is transmitted to heat loss in 4th since all it's doing is sloshing oil around.

Source: totalloser nv4500 cooler question - Page 2 - Dodge Cummins Diesel Forum


EDIT again: Seems like the people who have real problems with this transmission are people who tow all the time and cruise in 5th gear. These people are running a truck and trailer combined weight of 25-28,000 lbs.
Click to expand...
A few of us a have a custom adapter to mate the NV4500 to the HF2AV, the first version of that adapter had a flaw that resulted in @thegogglesdonothing burning up his freshly rebuilt trans after the trans fluid migrated to the xfer case.
 
Split case with stock trans leak fluid from one to another. AA adapter doesn't stop it either. 60 guys run a hose between the TC and trans to keep the fluid equal. If my fill holes line up I will go this route as well.
 
Mr Cimarron said:
Split case with stock trans leak fluid from one to another. AA adapter doesn't stop it either. 60 guys run a hose between the TC and trans to keep the fluid equal. If my fill holes line up I will go this route as well.
Click to expand...

Yes, this issue has been sitting in the back of my mind. I am not worried about it currently as it all has new seals and the trans is rebuilt, but I am aware that this could be an issue in the future.

I was thinking of just running the same fluid I do in my transmission as I do in my transfer case. i think the split case is less fussy then the NV4500 as far as fluid goes (due to the syncro's)

I have had 3 split cases, one with ~400,000km on it, and it did not leak any fluid between the transmission, so I guess I just got lucky.

I am currently running the NV4500 with the AA adapter to the FJ62 split case.
 
kowalski said:
Yes, this issue has been sitting in the back of my mind. I am not worried about it currently as it all has new seals and the trans is rebuilt, but I am aware that this could be an issue in the future.

I was thinking of just running the same fluid I do in my transmission as I do in my transfer case. i think the split case is less fussy then the NV4500 as far as fluid goes (due to the syncro's)

I have had 3 split cases, one with ~400,000km on it, and it did not leak any fluid between the transmission, so I guess I just got lucky.

I am currently running the NV4500 with the AA adapter to the FJ62 split case.
Click to expand...
I'm running same fluid in both. Since my split case rebuild I have had 1/2 quart of fluid enter the TC from trans. Before that I had 1/2 quart enter trans from TC. It's always interesting.
 
Wheelingnoob said:
Honestly anyone running this engine should have one. I have seen more than a few pump there oil into the coolant and seize weather it was a head gasket that failed or a oil cooler.
Click to expand...

I really like this idea too, what's the part number for the toyota pressure sensor switch?
 
Jeremy - Have you thought about how you plan to handle the high pressure PS hose. The hose that Dustin sent looks like it is supposed to couple with the toyota pump end of the line, which seems like an additional joint that isn't required. I'd rather a direct line from pump to box without any additional joints. May need to find a local hydraulic shop and have them make up a line.
 
I got fittings that thread I to the pump and box that convert to AN fitting from there is a easy process of getting high pressure line and making your own or in my case having a hydrolic shop make the lines.
 
Wheelingnoob said:
I got fittings that thread I to the pump and box that convert to AN fitting from there is a easy process of getting high pressure line and making your own or in my case having a hydrolic shop make the lines.
Click to expand...
Sounds like you went the same route as @maxamillion2345 did after he blew a hose. Would you mind sharing those fitting part numbers?
 
Wheelingnoob said:
Fittings for power steering lines. These will adapt the pump to the box. All I need to do is once the engine is in is measure and get a short hydrolic line made.

I found these numbers in another build thread I can't remember the name of the guy but if you read this thank you!

-6 x 16-1.5mm Inverted Flare AN fitting, Metric

-6 x 16-1.5mm AN to bump tube fitting with O Ring
Click to expand...

GLTHFJ60 said:
Get those fittings (and the others you'll likely need) from PSC and run their "field serviceable" lines. You can make (and repair) the high pressure hydraulic lines yourself with a couple of wrenches and a vice (or just a couple of wrenches in a pinch):

Offroad Power Steering for your Race Truck, Crawler or Custom Buggy
Click to expand...
Found what I was looking for.
 
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