SM465 vs. NV4500

[crazylandcruiser]

Just a quick question about these two transmissions. so i did a little research and im trying to use what i gained and see if people feel the way i do or if im totally wrong. so i will give you my situation first. i have both an SM465 transmission and i also have an NV4500 transmission as well. my SM465 is rebuilt and is missing the bellhousing and the stick. the NV4500 is missing the stick and is not rebuilt but has about 33k on the rebuild that it did get back in 01. so i know that the NV4500 has a 5th gear (OD) or maybe it just an 5th gear and the SM465 is just a 4 speed. i know the SM465 is a granny first gear and i got from the information i was reading that so does the NV4500. ok so now to my question. i use my 40 for trailing mostly but on the occasion like to take it out and show it off to the public or drive it during the summer with the top off. so for daily driving i know the NV4500 is better then SM465 for that. but as far as trails go which one is better or are the just about the same all around? i guess a simpler way to say this is, is the SM465 relatively the same as a NV4500 minus the 5 gear? hope this make some sense. sorry for my stupidity

thanks
crazylandcruiser

 

[scouthead]

I think the NV4500 doesn't always have a really low first. Depends on what it came in and the year... also heard something about the slave being inside the bellhousing on the NV4500...?? Sounds like a pain in the ass, but maybe it's not an issue with most conversions (new bellhousings...) Sorry I don't really know anything, but I'm sure someone else will jump in here.

 

[VTFJ40]

Early GM NV4500- 6.34 1st gear
Late GM & Dodge NV- 5.61 1st gear
SM465- 6.55 1st gear
SM420- 7.05 1st gear

 

[missipboy]

i've got the nv4500 and it's great for on and offroad. shifts like a dream, but it's noisy. first gear is super low and overdrive is nice. mine has AA adapters to v8 and stock transfer, and the slave is on the outside, iirc.

i'm starting to think the overdrive is really not worth it unless it's a daily driver, but if you've already got it, might as well. i would go with the nv.

 

[crazylandcruiser]

i've got the nv4500 and it's great for on and offroad. shifts like a dream, but it's noisy. first gear is super low and overdrive is nice. mine has AA adapters to v8 and stock transfer, and the slave is on the outside, iirc.

i'm starting to think the overdrive is really not worth it unless it's a daily driver, but if you've already got it, might as well. i would go with the nv.

i was thinking since i have it i might just use it as well. but at the same time people pay a good amount of them so i kind of want to sell it and just get the money for it and use that money for my cruiser somewhere else. thanks for all the feedback guys

 

[QtrWavDave]

I've had my nv4500 since the first year AA had their adapters out. I don't have the low grannie, apparantly that was only availible in the firt years. Mine is'nt noisy, They really stress using the chev lub. It handled all the power of my 406 w/o a hitch. Love the od. 2000 rpm @70. Don't rock crawl so don't have a feel for that. Works great in deep snow (Grannie and low for "pushing the snow")

 

[HogDriver]

Might be a bit late for me to getmy 2 cents but I have a 70 FJ40 w/ a Vortec 5.7l and an SM465 and I dd it to and from work and I wish I had a 5th gear. My SM465 is a bit noisy but it's pretty old but still shift real well.

Cheers
Frank

 

[crazylandcruiser]

Might be a bit late for me to getmy 2 cents but I have a 70 FJ40 w/ a Vortec 5.7l and an SM465 and I dd it to and from work and I wish I had a 5th gear. My SM465 is a bit noisy but it's pretty old but still shift real well.

Cheers
Frank

its never to late i think im going more toward the sm465 for now.

 

[projektdotnet]

I would give my opinion but my sm420 is on a pallet on the side of the shop

 

[Mr. Notorious]

How much longer is the NV4500 than the SM?

 

[theo]

How much longer is the NV4500 than the SM?

When I switched from sm465 to nv4500 I moved the motor mounts forward but I can't remember exactly how much. It was in the neighborhood of an inch and a half I believe. Wanted to keep the same drivelines and transfer case mounts. Ended up moving the radiator forward about an inch.

Overdrive makes the truck a lot sweeter to drive at speed. Would like better crawl ratio and will have to get it eventually with an Orion or similar.

 

[65-fj45]

I have an early Chevy nv4500 in my 40 and love it, the trans shifts great and has no noise at all. on the other hand my 420 in the 45 is very loud. I would go with the nv4500.

 

[LT]

its never to late i think im going more toward the sm465 for now.

I have an aluminum bell housing for the 350 that I got when I bought my 10 spline sm465. I have no use for it.

 

[ArmyFJ]

I have a 350 TPI with an SM465. I drive it to and from work 20 miles each way on the freeway and I like it. + parts are cheap for it. Hell you can buy a rebuilt one for 650. I think I am getting about 13 to 15 mpg

 

[crazylandcruiser]

I have a 350 TPI with an SM465. I drive it to and from work 20 miles each way on the freeway and I like it. + parts are cheap for it. Hell you can buy a rebuilt one for 650. I think I am getting about 13 to 15 mpg

well i got mine for 200 thought i might as welll get it rebuilt so i took it a friend of my parents who owns a transmission shop had him rebuild everything for the nicest price i was going to come up with. im currently 275 dollars in the whole with this transmission and all it needs now it fluid and a stick and im set.

 

[SteveLCetc]

Early GM NV4500- 6.34 1st gear
Late GM & Dodge NV- 5.61 1st gear
SM465- 6.55 1st gear
SM420- 7.05 1st gear

What is "Early GM" - with the low first gear? How much is an NV4500?

Sitting here after CM realizing I need a lower 1st gear...