Thread: Tranny Fluid for Dodge 5-sp manual?

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Well I found an NV3500 for my 96 dodge 1500 truck...my question is, the "specially formulated" Mopar Manual Transmission Fluid runs about $20 a quart...is there a suitable substitiute for these things?

I have heard some say ATF, some say 90wt gear oil...I dont want to ruin this thing. Is the $20/qt stuff necessary?

BTW: I plan on replacing the rear seal, from seal, and front bearing (throw out bearing I guess), and get a new clutch as long as I have the old one out.

I learned the hard way, do NOT put gear oil in it! The passages that carry oil to the bearings are too small to flow that stuff. The bearings will fail in a week! The 4500 uses the thick stuff, though. Your trans only holds a few bottles, I'd go for the right stuff. Cheaper than another trans!

Plus read up and fix the fifth gear falling off problem while its still on your work bench.

Originally Posted by R Pope

I learned the hard way, do NOT put gear oil in it! The passages that carry oil to the bearings are too small to flow that stuff. The bearings will fail in a week! The 4500 uses the thick stuff, though. Your trans only holds a few bottles, I'd go for the right stuff. Cheaper than another trans!

Pope, do you recommend just draining the transmission and refilling when I am ready? or is some sort of flushing in order?

In reading, I see where others recommend AMSOIL, Royal Purple, or Pennzoil manual tranny syncromesh (MTS). Apparently Motors published a lubricant crossreference guide and the AMSOIL MTS is an approved substitute for the NV3500.

If it was working good in its previous incarnation, I'd drain the oil, and check it for brass or steel bits. If it looks good, you can put it back in. It's a part-synthetic blend that lasts a long time.
If there is enough metal or other crap that you don't want to re-use it, you might want to pull the top and have a look inside. Then flush it with Varsol or something and refill with new lube. OD transmissions are sensitive as far as lube goes, I'd stick with the recommended stuff.

Originally Posted by HWORRELL

Plus read up and fix the fifth gear falling off problem while its still on your work bench.

Care to throw me a bone on that one? Never heard of that problem with the NV3500

Originally Posted by 65cayne

Care to throw me a bone on that one? Never heard of that problem with the NV3500

Me niether. I read to fast and was thinking nv4500, as on the back of Dodge diesels. Probally because I've been researching it for a buddy who's 5th gear keeps falling off of his nostaglia dragster hauler.

HWORREL---Tell your buddy to drive it in Direct when he's hauling stuff on the trailer. The OD is not intended for high torque, high load situations.

Originally Posted by R Pope

HWORREL---Tell your buddy to drive it in Direct when he's hauling stuff on the trailer. The OD is not intended for high torque, high load situations.

He stopped by yesterday afternoon and told me he bought a six speed from a wrecked Dodge for it.