NV4500 or H55F?

[FL cruiser]

I’m trying to decide between a Toyota H55F 5spd or a New Venture NV4500 5spd for my 83 FJ60.
Thought I would get some input from those of you that have these transmissions.
Your likes and dislikes.

I’m putting it behind a 6.2 GM diesel N/A engine. It’s rated at only 260 ft lbs torque so I think the Toyota trans should handle it.

So far from reading other posts I’ve gathered:
The H55F might shift smoother than the NV 4500.
I would need to shorten/lengthen drive shafts with either transmission install
The NV 4500 has better gearing. It has a lower 1st and higher 5th, so there would be lower RPM’s on the highway.
Either way I go it will cost about the exact same after adapters, mounts, bell housings etc.

I’m willing to listen to anybody else’s opinions so I can add to my pro/con list.

Thanks!

 

[G-Cat]

I would say the H55F for re-sale value i.e. keeping it Toyota. But that is not an issue for you as you are running a diesel. So I guess I'd go with the lower first/higher 5th option. I LOVE my H55-F, both on the trail and on the highway....so you can't really go wrong here. Good luck!

 

[Doc]

The write up I read about installing the H55f said that driveshaft modification was not needed.?

 

[cahilc]

If it were a "stock" Toyota, there would be an arguement to "keep-her-stock". You already have a hybrid so ... IMNSHO I would go with whichever on works better for you.

Is the ease of installation the same ? (cross brace mod's ?)
How about maintainence ? (change fluids, serviceability ?)
Durability ? (I'm sticking with my 4-speed for durability, hypothetically)

Sounds real cool either way,
Cahil

 

[photogod]

I have found my 55 to be a bit "notchy" on shifting from 4th to 5th but other than that I really like the Highway driveability. Much lower rpm at 65 or 70. I took my gps out the other day and found that I was running 5mph faster than the spedo said with 31x10.5's which has nothing to do with the trans other than the fact that I can now go that fast without thinking I was going to blow up.

 

[FL cruiser]

Driveshaft mods wouldn't be needed on an 85 or newer FJ60 because in 85 they made the 4spds the same length as the 5speeds (longer) and the transfer case sits further back. Pre 85's end up with longer front/shortwer rear driveshafts when installing an H55F after moving the transfer case back.
Or so I've been told.

 

[cruiserdan]

I would use the H55F if you retained the 2F and had a later transfer case available. If you choose an alternate engine, the NVG4500 is likely a better choice. Two of our local club members have opted for 5 speeds. One went with an NVG4500 behind a 350 Chebby and the other went with an H55F behind a 2F (the latter vehicle was later converted to a 350 Chebby as well, retaining the H55F).

In any case, you will need to adapt. So, the decision may come down to the over-all expense of the transmission AND the necessary adaptor(s) required to fit.

 

[cruiserbrett]

You are installing a GM engine(diesel) in the truck and youre thoughts are that the H55F wont need driveshaft mods? Are you using a marks adapter or something? I would not plan the tranny swap/choice around $200 of driveshaft mods. Pick the tranny for its driving characteristics, since that is what you will deal with every day you drive it. H55F are smoother shifting, have tighter gear spacing, a lower OD percent, and a higher first gear. NV4500's are good trannys, have 2 different 1st gear choices(which change 2nd and 3rd slightly too), they are notchier shifting but not bad by any means... I would go with the nv4500 wiht the 5.61 first gear for your application b/c the NV4500 will be easier to adapt to the diesel... and the slightly tighter gear spacing of the 5.61(vs the 6.34 NV4500) will be better wiht a low reving diesel I would guess

-Brett

Driveshaft mods wouldn't be needed on an 85 or newer FJ60 because in 85 they made the 4spds the same length as the 5speeds (longer) and the transfer case sits further back. Pre 85's end up with longer front/shortwer rear driveshafts when installing an H55F after moving the transfer case back.
Or so I've been told.