1986 1 ton 454 Trans swap

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Duramax

Junior Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2018
Posts
2
Reaction score
2
Location
Dresden
First Name
John
Truck Year
2011
Truck Model
2500hd
Engine Size
6.6
was wanting opinions on best way to add a gear to my manual 4 speed. Nv4500 or is there other options?

You must be registered for see images attach
 

ajd89

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2016
Posts
1,537
Reaction score
768
Location
Central Michigan
First Name
andrew
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
k10
Engine Size
350
Id say nv4500 or a gear vendors overdrive unit.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
28,966
Reaction score
23,481
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Another option is a Ranger overdrive gear splitter.

Everyone has their arguments for why they think one option or the other is better. Personally, the NV4500 would be the less desirable option, but that's what most people do to gain overdrive.
 

ajd89

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2016
Posts
1,537
Reaction score
768
Location
Central Michigan
First Name
andrew
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
k10
Engine Size
350
Another option is a Ranger overdrive gear splitter.

Everyone has their arguments for why they think one option or the other is better. Personally, the NV4500 would be the less desirable option, but that's what most people do to gain overdrive.
Is that like a gear venders just different name im assuming? Im going nv4500 cause its cheaper then gear vendors at least so far lol. What about a nv4500 and a overdrive unit!?
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
28,966
Reaction score
23,481
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Is that like a gear venders just different name im assuming? Im going nv4500 cause its cheaper then gear vendors at least so far lol. What about a nv4500 and a overdrive unit!?

Ranger is a 2 speed unit to go in front of the SM465, you end up with two separate shifters. Simple and effective. Everything moves back 4 inches I think, and obviously the driveshafts need adjusted. It's cheaper than a GV, all speeds work in 4x4, and no t-case and bellhousing adapting like a 4500.

If I had an auto, I'd choose the GV because it's just so dang simple. Bolt it on and shorten the rear shaft, bam you have OD.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
28,966
Reaction score
23,481
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Another thing with the gear splitter, if you also twin-stick the 205, it's a great theft deterrent. Most thieves probably don't even know how to drive a truck with one shifter poking through the floor, let alone 4 of them.
 

ajd89

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2016
Posts
1,537
Reaction score
768
Location
Central Michigan
First Name
andrew
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
k10
Engine Size
350
Another thing with the gear splitter, if you also twin-stick the 205, it's a great theft deterrent. Most thieves probably don't even know how to drive a truck with one shifter poking through the floor, let alone 4 of them.
Now that would be cool!
 

Charlie

Mopar by Birth. Chevy by Choice.
Joined
Aug 2, 2017
Posts
1,837
Reaction score
909
Location
Euless, Texas
First Name
Don
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
Cheyenne 10 LWB
Engine Size
350/TH350/AC/4 BBL Quadrajet
:welcome:
 

Catbox

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2018
Posts
3,968
Reaction score
14,481
Location
Just Outside of Portland Oregon
First Name
Peter
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C20 Silverado Camper Special
Engine Size
461
I like the Ranger option as well.
If I ever feel the need to add more gears to my truck, I think that is the way I will go.

Mine has a 454 and the SM 465 in it.
 

Lostranger

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2013
Posts
54
Reaction score
23
Location
Marion, NC
First Name
Jim
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
R30
Engine Size
350
I’ve long lusted for a GV overdrive. This thread has spurred my interest in a Ranger Splitter.
 

rpcraft

Full Access Member
Joined
May 31, 2016
Posts
1,329
Reaction score
507
Location
Texas
First Name
Robert
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
Jimmy
Engine Size
LS 6.0 364 CID
Overall easiest is probably an NV4500 swap. There are other options, sure, but not sure if easy = best.
 

Duramax

Junior Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2018
Posts
2
Reaction score
2
Location
Dresden
First Name
John
Truck Year
2011
Truck Model
2500hd
Engine Size
6.6
Well I’m stuck on what to try but at 65mph my truck is screaming pretty good. I have 410 gears and a 454 the fuel consumption is incredible lol. I would like to change the trans to a smoother shifting setup with more gear options which is why I was interested in the nv4500.

You must be registered for see images attach
 

CSFJ

-----------------
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Posts
6,160
Reaction score
5,162
Location
------
First Name
-------------
Truck Year
-------
Truck Model
-------
Engine Size
-------
Another thing with the gear splitter, if you also twin-stick the 205, it's a great theft deterrent. Most thieves probably don't even know how to drive a truck with one shifter poking through the floor, let alone 4 of them.
I know the shifter on the 465 is shaped to clear the dash when in the forward position gears, but does it still clear the seat when moved back to accommodate the range splitter when in the rearward position? Or does it require some messaging of shape or switching to the new shift tower design from '92ish?
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
28,966
Reaction score
23,481
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
I know the shifter on the 465 is shaped to clear the dash when in the forward position gears, but does it still clear the seat when moved back to accommodate the range splitter when in the rearward position? Or does it require some messaging of shape or switching to the new shift tower design from '92ish?

I've read that the shifter needs bent slightly, but don't know first hand. The later shifter and tower would move it back even further, but at that point it it should work well with a nearly straight stick. It's a combo I want to try someday.
 

DirtyDYT

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2018
Posts
158
Reaction score
84
Location
Ohio
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
‘79
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
454
Well I’m stuck on what to try but at 65mph my truck is screaming pretty good. I have 410 gears and a 454 the fuel consumption is incredible lol. I would like to change the trans to a smoother shifting setup with more gear options which is why I was interested in the nv4500.

You must be registered for see images attach

Nice ride. I’m right there with you. I can’t justify an NV4500 because my 465 works just fine and will probably last forever. The ranger od sounds cool, cheaper than a gear vendor. Shifter won’t clear the seat in all positions with that unit though.

This is my ‘85 454 4 speed 4.10 ratio 9 mpg gas hog.

You must be registered for see images attach
 
Last edited:

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
41,857
Posts
903,628
Members
33,370
Latest member
mitchell1128
Top