Hi I have this most wonderful transmission in my truck.  I'm trying to learn more about it and this is the best place for that!!!

 

For starters, the truck has just under 100k miles on it. 

 

 

1) FLUID TYPE:  What fluid is best to use (The tag is saying Texaco STF 1874 Chrysler P/N 04874464)

2) FLUID TYPE: How much Fluid does it hold?

3) FLUID : Is there an additive that is advisable?

4) TRANSMISSION COOLER: Is there some sort of manual transmission cooler add-on for the trans that would assist in extending the life of the unit?  I understand there were few of these made and the company that made them is out of business.  Therefor my goal is to make it last as long as humanly possible.

5) How many miles can one expect a clutch to last on the NV5600?  I know the answer is somewhat about how it was driven, but let's say worst and best case scenario so I have some idea.

6) The shifting feels a bit vague to me (not nearly as vague as a Porsche 914, which is fun) but still. I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to replace some high wear parts in the shifter or linkage assembly or if that's just how this system is.  Don't get me wrong, I'm loving it!!!!!  Call me silly I actually like a vehicle that requires more skills to drive that your average driver typically possesses!!!  I have a reputation for driving a manual transmission in a way that makes it last beyond it's expected shelf life.  As some of you know, it's all in the feel.

 

Thanks in advance for spilling a small slice of your vast experience and wisdom on me as this awesome group always does.

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Ben said:

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-4874464-Manual-Transmission-Lubricant/dp/B000TWI45M

 

Yeah its not cheap. 

 

Last time I bought it was 7 bucks over counter I was questioning if they were still smoked from the night before. 

 

Realistically any of the approved oils "should" work ok.  

 

Your grand father is a dumbass. sorry.

 

all you have to do is have it in 2nd and let off the clutch with no throttle and it goes. And goes well.

 

If you are have issues with the shift going into gear pause for a bit then try. 

 

Its a small big truck transmission not a bmw gated

 

I give you credit for that. 

 

Im a little puzzled and spooked about ripping apart the top and filling it. 

 

I never have figured that out. 

 

So I have a fast cooler coming and I am just going to lay the truck over with the hoist to fill it. 

 

I figure it would be the same amount as filling from the top.

Taking the shifter apart and top loading the fluid was big fun for me :-)

 I'll pick the truck off its side. No matter how much fun you describe toploading. 

 

I will post pictures. 

 

Sorry I am an old curmudgeon 

11 minutes ago, Ben said:

 I'll pick the truck off its side. No matter how much fun you describe toploading. 

 

I will post pictures. 

 

Sorry I am an old curmudgeon 

I've been taking stuff apart and successfully reassembling them since I was a little kid.  Genetic mutation ;-)  The puzzles are my favorite part of life.  And the view down in there is beautiful???

35 minutes ago, leety said:

I've been taking stuff apart and successfully reassembling them since I was a little kid.  Genetic mutation ;-)  The puzzles are my favorite part of life.  And the view down in there is beautiful???

 

You are a better person than i Leety.

 

Sckeeves me about going in through the top but have no issues laying truck over on its right to fill it, Im just weird.       

You might be able to squeeze 6qt in on the side but not 8 like i did even with cooler and filter, it's well above the fill hole. Taking shifter off is not hard and you get to see inside and nice massive gears. But to each their own. 

I fill my NV5600 from underneath. I use a pump from the auto parts that fits on the lube bottle. I put a piece of clear tubing on the nozzle. I use the next to the top PTO cover bolt holes as a fill point and fill until lube starts coming out of the hole. I have a CB radio mounted and some other stuff, so it is quicker than getting to the trans top cover. Also, I run a 50/50 mix of Amsoil MTL & MTF. Seems to work OK. I also put a big magnet in the trans.

 

I did have 2 Blumenthall coolers on the trans, but had to take the passenger side off when I went to 4" exhaust. I put the stand off exhaust heat shield on like I believe Katoom did to cut down on heat.

I have  a drainage ditch in front of the house. I just park on the side of it and put it in thru the fill hole.

I am installing TDS pto covers on my NV5600.  I have a 5 gallon pail of Amsoil MTL and SAE 50 synthetic gear oil.  I am thinking about mixing 3.5 quarts of BOTH fluids 50/50.   Let's hear the comments.  

Perhaps something like this maybe a better compromise?

 

https://cart.santiemidwest.com/heavy-duty-lubricants/gear-oils/chevron-delo-esi-40-transmission-pail/?_vsrefdom=adwords&_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp_eYnriU3gIVj7fACh0XBAWxEAQYBCABEgL3pvD_BwE

Edited October 20, 20186 yr by LiveOak

2 hours ago, LiveOak said:

I am installing TDS pto covers on my NV5600.  I have a 5 gallon pail of Amsoil MTL and SAE 50 synthetic gear oil.  I am thinking about mixing 3.5 quarts of BOTH fluids 50/50.   Let's hear the comments.  

Perhaps something like this maybe a better compromise?

 

https://cart.santiemidwest.com/heavy-duty-lubricants/gear-oils/chevron-delo-esi-40-transmission-pail/?_vsrefdom=adwords&_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp_eYnriU3gIVj7fACh0XBAWxEAQYBCABEgL3pvD_BwE

 

I don't recommend mixing oil, you don't know what you are making, they may not be compatible. The link you posted sounds like good oil, I wouldn't be afraid to use it. I use 15/40 Diesel Engine Oil in mine, 323k towing heavy, standard fill plug level.

2 hours ago, NIsaacs said:

 

I don't recommend mixing oil, you don't know what you are making, they may not be compatible. The link you posted sounds like good oil, I wouldn't be afraid to use it. I use 15/40 Diesel Engine Oil in mine, 323k towing heavy, standard fill plug level.

How long have you been using 15/40 in your nv5600. Anything abnormal when you drain it? 

This might work even better but it is kinda pricey.  I'm gonna have to check around on pricing.  

 

https://www.thelubricantstore.com/mobil-delvac-1-transmission-fluid-40-5-gal-pail?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvqDr36GV3gIVmISzCh0m0AZGEAQYASABEgKJAPD_BwE

6 hours ago, LiveOak said:

I am installing TDS pto covers on my NV5600.  I have a 5 gallon pail of Amsoil MTL and SAE 50 synthetic gear oil.  I am thinking about mixing 3.5 quarts of BOTH fluids 50/50.   Let's hear the comments.  

 

 

I wouldn't mix them, and I wouldn't use any SAE 50. The SAE 50 is not a syncromesh fluid, and thus likely not compatible with the NV5600. 

 

The SAE 50 is supposed to be a GL-4 and acceptable for the NV4500. NV4500 fluids in a NV5600 often leads to bad things. 

1 minute ago, AH64ID said:

 

I wouldn't mix them, and I wouldn't use any SAE 50. The SAE 50 is not a syncromesh fluid, and thus likely not compatible with the NV5600. 

 

The SAE 50 is supposed to be a GL-4 and acceptable for the NV4500. NV4500 fluids in a NV5600 often leads to bad things. 

The SAE 40 would fair no better in your opinion?

3 minutes ago, LiveOak said:

The SAE 40 would fair no better in your opinion?

 

Correct. Like the SAE 50 the website says it's a MT-1 which is a non-syncro manual transmission fluid. 

 

It may also be a GL-4, like the SAE 50 that only says it on the pail not the spec sheet, but either way that's not a fluid I would put in a NV5600. 

I have about a half of a 5 gallon pail of the Pennzoil Synchromesh and a full pail of Amsoil MTL.  I have been using the Pennzoil Synchromesh for the past 15 years without any issues but I would like to find a fluid if possible that would make the shifting better.  My wife's NV5600 in her 2001.5 has an angry synchronizer if you forget and rush the shift.  We have been living with that too.  I changed out the fluid in her NV5600 with the Pennzoil Synchromesh which DID substantially improve the shifting.  When I changed the manual transmission oil in her Honda Element and did not tell her, she wanted to know what I did to make the transmission shift so much better.  If possible, I am hoping to achieve something along this line.  Nothing radical, just a good improvement.  

 

The TDS pto covers will add a quart due to the relocated fill port and either 5 oz.  or 6 oz. from the extra space machined into the pto cover for a total of 10 oz. or 12 oz. when mounting a pair depending upon which version you go with. 

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/TDS-PTO-Cooler-Cover-Dodge-NV5600-Proper-fluid-level-1-8-NPT-USA-Made/192691182335?hash=item2cdd4a1aff:g:P3MAAOSw-kdXxiO1:sc:USPSPriorityMailSmallFlatRateBox!38425!US!-1:rk:3:pf:0

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/TDS-PTO-Cover-Dodge-NV5600-Proper-fluid-level-Made-in-USA/192691917573?hash=item2cdd555305:g:CtgAAOSwjDZYaqiE:sc:USPSPriorityMailSmallFlatRateBox!38425!US!-1:rk:6:pf:0  

 

 

I  have received multiple comments on how nicely my NV5600 shifts. I have ran Amsoil MTF (assume that's what you mean by MTL??) since I owned the truck. 

 

My only shifting issues are stopped it hates to go into gear sometime, but that's a clutch issue and aside from pulling the trans it's here to stay for a while. 

Guess I will go with the Amsoil MTL.  If I have shifting issues or it performs worse than the Pennzoil Synchromesh, I can always go back to the Pennzoil Synchromesh or try the SAE 50 synthetic.  

3 minutes ago, LiveOak said:

Guess I will go with the Amsoil MTL. 

 

You are talking MTF correct?

50 SAE is also GL-4 fluid.

17 minutes ago, AH64ID said:

 

You are talking MTF correct?

I don't know why I keep calling it MTL.  I meant MTF.  Manual Synchromesh Transmission Fluid 5W-30.  

9 minutes ago, Mopar1973Man said:

50 SAE is also GL-4 fluid.

So I am confused now.  I thought you had an NV5600 in your truck now Mike.  Or do you have an NV4500???