Nv4500 In An Early Cj5

Tell me what you think. I have a line on a Dodge 4wd NV4500 with an AA Atlas/Dana300 adapter on it. It does have a stock 29 spline output shaft in it that I would have to swap out. This along with a little longer input shaft (7/8") and longer overall. My T18/Dana 20(with 2.48 low) is working just fine. I'm wondering if the value is there to get overdrive. Also to note going from 64/1 to a 60/1 in low range. And a pic since everyone likes pics.

 

In a nutshell, the NV4500 is too long for a short Jeep.
Read their evaluation carefully...
The Novak Guide to the NV4500 Transmission (novak-adapt.com)

I am very practical, and it shows with the mods I've made to my Jeep, but I know some folks here love to blaze new trails and do the improbable!

...and so you don't miss that last Novak comment...

There are too many NV4500's in Jeeps due to an artificial push by aftermarket profiteers and hungry magazine writers looking for a quick story. Actual research and critical analysis by the thoughtful Jeep builder will more often yield the conclusion that a heavy-duty, four-speed transmission (if not an automatic) will produce better on-road & off-road results with significantly less expense.

 

12.37 case... might be ok if the overall isn't worse than an sm420 with long adapter.

Sounds like you have a centered diff and want the overdrive... tough call might require a comp cut on the rear and some spring hanger work.

 

Yep, read all that. Just wondering if anyone here has done this. I'm not too concerned with altering where things are located as I done that already with this jeep.

 

Yes, I have a centered 44. There will be no "comp cutting" of the body to get this done if I decide to venture down this path. I do have the ability to move my motor about 3" forward. I don't need the overdrive it just would be a nice thing to have. I have a few overdrives on the shelf, a few Dana 18's in the shed and a flanged off-set 44 I could pile all into it to get my overdrive fix. But what fun is that.

 

A short shaft with a D18 is easier than a short shaft with a D20 or D300 due to it being a few inches lower output.

You’d probably need a double cardan yoke on the D300 output (so add $70 to your bill) and run a DC shaft in order to cheat the angle a little bit.

I’ve run the measurements on these. It’s not ideal, but definitely not impossible with limited lift.

 

I was doing the math thing also. I have a few yokes here already, need one for the front too and at least a dozen core driveshafts to use for the project. I'm leaning towards changing output to a 23-spline vs the 300's input to a 29. for resale ability if the project would go south.

 

That's for the cast iron part of the case. Reverse hangs out the back of that, hence the 6" adapter to a transfercase. If you look lower on the page, they list the total length at 18.9" wich is really long for a short wheelbase Jeep. That's six inches longer than a T18 plus adapter. Not saying it's impossible, but it would be a major challenge.

 

Expensive but it has a high yoke, might work with a Dana 20?

Hi-9 in a Ford 9” housing

Would be very very short driveshaft though.

Dennis