NV4500 Swap - Can I use a 96 Chevy 3500 donor truck?

[Gran Degajeur]

I've been gathering parts to swap out the automatic trans in my 86 M1008. I saw a 96 Chevy 3500 dually with an NV4500 (out of a 95 Silverado) for sale at a local yard. Has a running 6.5 diesel with it. I have been looking for a 90 - 93 donor truck based on research here. Is anyone aware of problems with a 95 NV 4500 swapping into an 86 M1008?

 

[NDT]

I think the front driveshaft is on the opposite side on GMT400s. Might have to swap transfer case. Also the 6.5 in ‘95 is electronic engine management, you will have to loose that.

 

[Gran Degajeur]

Thanks for the warning on the engine, I suspected that but wasn't sure. My 6.2 runs great, so an engine swap isn't really in the cards. I understood the stock NP208 would bolt right on to the NV4500? Are there any other known problems or additional challenges with using a 95 NV 4500?

 

[Black Ops]

The np208 will bolt up to the nv4500. If you are using a stock bellhousing the slave cylinder on the passenger side of 1995 and earlier models may interfere with the front driveshaft on a CUCV unless the truck has a lift kit. I have read that from other people but have not tried for myself. I have done the swap a couple times with a 96 and up model that had the internal slave setup.

 

[Gran Degajeur]

The current owner swapped a 95 NV4500 out of a Silverado into the 96 3500, so I suppose he used the 95 bell housing. I will not lift the truck. Assuming that is the case, I could use the NV4500 with a different year bell housing to resolve the issue. What years bell-housing have you used successfully? Thanks for confirmation that the 95 trans would work.

 

[Black Ops]

I’ve used 1996-1998 transmissions and bellhousings. I think the bolt pattern on the transmission to the bellhousing is different as well for the 1995 and older vs the 1996 and newer models.