I'm 7 mins into this video and in my head I'm like this due is a beast. Perfect mix of wing it and make it work yet super knowledgeable. I can definitely relate with working with what you have rather than spending tons of money on "bolt on" or "direct swap" parts. I love this video man good stuff 🤟
NV3500 is a way nicer street trans. It shifts easier, its lighter, and it has a usable first gear. The NV4500 is a much tougher trans. Its a 4 speed with a low gear. Very good for towing and off road. In my case the NV3500 was okay for this blazer but in a heavier duty situation I would go NV4500
Nice Job man! I did this swap about a year ago on an 84 K5 and did the same thing with my transfer case cover. In hindsight, you can adjust the linkage and move the whole cover back to save your indicator and light.
Sweet. I didn't know you had this. As always, slushbox junk to a proper manual is a necessary upgrade. My nv3500 Blazer is looking pretty bad. I ratchet strapped the fender back together but found two more huge frame cracks. The snow Gambler might be its last event...
The Wilwood clutch master cylinder/ pedal makes it easier to keep correct rod length and rod angle so release bearing will wear properly as factory??????? Do you know how long that kit was available?
@@paulc4213 Uhh, im not sure what youre talking about with the rod length/angle, and as far as the "kit," i bought the parts seperate on amazon and did a 5 or 6 piece combination of fittings, adapters, brake line and braided line to connect the universal wilwood master with the GM internal slave. If youre talking about the "rod length" as in external hydraulic slave, there's no issue there as the nv3500 had internal slave (hyd. throwout bearing) from 96-onwards (im using a '00 model from a 4.8 silverado). The early 93-95 external slaves are on the passenger side of the bellhousing, and do not fit (without large lift kits) in 4x4 squarebodies, the slave cylinder would interfere with the front driveshaft. If you were going to use the external slave transmission in a 2wd truck, i think it would work it may hang low, and you'd need to do youre own research as to what fittings you need.
It's funny I'm doing kind of an opposite swap. In my 96 extended cab K1500 I'm going from a 4L60e to a SM465 from an 86 C10. Had a 465 in my old 1990 C1500 with the 350 and loved it. I noticed you were comparing some lengths and other specs to the 4 speed and the 3500. Lmk if you have any pointers for my swap. Good video.
i had an 85 with the granny low which meant that first gear was useless unless you were rock climbing, so it was more like a 3 speed, always wondered what a 5 or 6-speed would be like
awesome video. I had a wild hair up my ass to LS swap a K5 and then I got to thinking, what about manual.... This is exactly the video I needed to watch. Thanks!
It had 3.23's in it back when I did this swap. It doesnt have a tach but Id imagine the highway RPMs were very very low. It had 32's on it and with this lazy 305 it wouldnt pull 5th on some local highway hills. Now it has 4.56's in it to prepare for 35" tires. It has a .73 overdrive where the 700R4 has a .70 if I remember right. Its very similar.
Love the square bodies! Always have always will. Do you think it would be this straight forward on a 2wd truck? Thinking about doing the swap on my 84 square and was very curious!
@@spankranchgarage hey brother just saw your reply from a month ago. Going to go ahead and drop my nv3500 in my truck as soon as I get the last few parts gathered. Can you give me a parts number for the -3 fitting you used when converting from the factory gm fitting? I would appreciate it very much dude!
Could you have just swapped the input shaft on your old transfer case? I cant find any info on doing it that way instead of buying a new transfer case.
That’s a great question. I was going to do that until I got a deal on another case. I’ve done input shaft swaps on many J231 transfer cases and it’s easy. The 208 has loose needle bearings that fall out when disassembled, I think. Very doable just a little tedious
Awsome job, and video. Ive been thinking of this swap and now feel more confident doing it. I do have questions about hoe the clutch pedal is mounted exactly?
The pivot bolt for the brake pedal, I just extended it all the way through and hung the clutch pedal along side it. I made spacers to keep everything where I wanted it. Simple and effective. I haven't had any problems with it yet but I could see additional support being needed in the future if I changed to a heavy clutch or something.
What fluids did you use? Atf in the rear transfer case and Syncro mesh in the transmission? Just wondering, because that's what I used. So far so good! Do you recommend adding any other fluids like Lucas synthetic in the transmission?
Thats exactly it. Syncromesh in the NV3500 and ATF in the NP208. Amsoil has a syncromesh replacement that I use in my other truck and its okay. Not better not worse from what I can tell
I swapped the whole case with one from a 3/4 ton truck. You can just swap the input shaft if you want but whatever works for you. Any 208 from a th400 or a sm465 will work
Any thoughts going from a 4 speed to a 5 speed 85 gmc k1500 I believe, what type trans and xfer case am I looking for? Edit, a third of the way into your video and I must say you are an impressive person, I don't say that as often as I wish I did in 2023 America, bravo good sir, bravo 2nd edit, are those the factory seats, I have a 99 silverado with a solid motor and no frame left and I'm hoping to find time to swap seats as I loath bench seats.
So I have a question and hopefully it’s able to be answered I just bought my first OBS 1997 Chevy truck and I think it has an in the nv3500 transmission and I noticed that there was some stuff swapped out whenever I go to shift since it’s hydraulically driven I hear a lot of clunking noises and rattles and at high speeds or moderate speeds the transmission rattles like crazy but overall it just makes a whole Lotta crazy noise I know that it could possibly be the throwout bearing. But what’s funny is when I drive this thing pretty hard and shift it like a race car it has no issue but if I try to drive it gentle it doesn’t like it. This truck is all I have right now as my newer GMC bit the dust just after the warranty ran out so I have to keep this truck running
Did you make sure there's fluid in it? The NV3500s make some noise in 4th and 5th I find. If the noise changes substantially with pressure on the clutch pedal I would look into the TOB
Yours was an 86 model and had clutch master mounting dimples on the firewall. Any idea what year they started doing that? Obviously older ones had linkage…
hi, so to be clear you started with a 208/TH400 stock 32 spline set up? I have an 86 4x4 SM465 i want to upgrade to a NV3500 or 4500. thoughts/advice on that?
Yes a 208 from a th400 will bolt up to a 3500/4500. If your swapping one of these into a 465 truck measure your 465 for length and compare to my specs. If it’s close you can probably keep the same driveshafts. The shifter hole will be different tho
@@spankranchgarage thank you so much for the advice, I also have a converted 203/TH400 combo, I'm wondering if that 203 might also bolt up to an NV 3500/4500.. If I could use that TC instead of the one in my truck, then I can just pull and keep my TC in my 86 connected to SM465 and store it away as the stock setup.. thoughts on that? Thank you!...
@@jtp682 The 203 is pretty old and probably has the firgure 8 bolt pattern and not the round pattern. I dont think it will fit. If its got the round pattern it should
Not quite. Yours is mechanical clutch and likely different transfer case pattern, different shafts, etc. Its actually easier to swap a 700r truck to a NV3500 than swap a 465 truck to an NV3500
You literally didn’t show the ONE thing I needed to see lol How did you figure out where to cut your shifter hole in the floor The most in depth video I have watched, but missed the only think I was looking for haha
That part was really easy. When I test fitted the trans I just pushed it up against the tunnel and traced the shifter box with a marker then cut it out. You can also just measure off the bellhousing face
Looking to put an nv4500 behind a crate 6.5 optimizer in my 88 suburban after my 700r took a dump. Still trying to figure out/decide which transfer case to go with. Most logical seems to be an np208, I know np205s are gear driven and stronger. Hope it all lines up as nice as yours did. do you have any advice or thoughts on transfer case?
The 208 is a fairly tough case I wouldn't be scared to put it through some torture. The 205 is very tough but I am not sure how available they are with the round bolt pattern. You also have the 241 option from a 1990 ish 2500 suburban.
@@spankranchgarage thanks for the help, your videos are legendary. Right now I have a 6.5 to a 700 to a np203. Swapping in the nv4500. So you would recommend just doing a 208? Found a 208 on marketplace for 400 and a 205 on marketplace for 650. I wonder if they are the same lengths
I have a question. I’m looking into doing the same swap for the same reason. My 700r4 isn’t working out for me. I come across nv3500s all the time but never the ones that you have in this video. Would a early 90s nv 3500 be just as good as a late 90s nv3500 like yours? Thanks
They will all work. The older ones are external slave if I remember right. There were upgrades throughout the years. Weakest being the earliest ones and the strongest being the ones that came behind the 4.8LS GMT800s. I had a 1990 k1500 that we used really hard for many years and no problems. All depends on how hard you will be on it. Id be hard pressed to break a tire loose with this boat anchor 305 let alone break the transmission.
@@spankranchgarageI have a mild 350 in my truck that probably makes 375hp. I've seen videos of people using stock nv3500s with built ls engines so I'm sure my truck won't break a transmission a later model nv3500. I plan on getting a higher hp rated clutch for it as well.
Hi, I've got an '87 K10 with an SM465 / NP208 combo. Like you said, the output shafts on the sm465 should be the same as the NV3500 so I could use my original 208. For the crossmember, is it the same for a 465 as it is for a 700R4? if not, should I buy a crossmember that is meant for a 700R4 or just move the existing crossmember back? Thanks!
I am not absolutely positive, but I think you can just move your crossmember back. Measure your SM465 from bellhousing flange to Tcase flange and compare it to the measurements I had in the video. That should take all the guess work out of how far you need to move the crossmember
@@spankranchgarage Hi, did some research after posting this. I gotta use a 700R4 crossmember which is okay because LMC makes their own high clearance crossmember for that transmission. Thanks for the info though!
I’m curious how you sourced parts. Just junk yard scavenging or internet sleuthing? You obviously knew which cars to get which parts, do you know of any resources to help with that?
90% of the parts I used came from a GMT400 truck. So searching for 88-98 K1500 stuff would be my first move. Transfer case needs to come from any squarebody with a NP208 and a TH400 auto or SM465 trans. I always keep an eye out on facebook marketplace as well as local junkyards for parts I can potentially use for my projects.
That I do not know off the top of my head. But I know shifter position is different on an S10. Luckily for you they made hundreds of thousands of NV3500 S10's so just use a transmission from one.
Very similar except yours has the NP241 transfer case. If its a 3/4 ton it will be a direct swap. If its half ton, you will need a 32 spline input for your transfer case or find a 89-91 32 spline transfer case
Yes there is a reverse switch on the trans. You can splice this into the reverse light wires that exist on the factory column shift. I havent done that yet but its on my list
Would love to see how that bracket you made attaches...are you saying it attaches to the brake pedal bracket, and it sorta "floats"/suspends, there to the left of the brake pedal? @@spankranchgarage
@@fishmidi19 The brake pedal pivots on a bolt. All I did was put a longer bolt through so it extends out the left side of the brake pedal bracket. Then I slid the clutch pedal onto that. Its wildly simple but works fine. I did this exact same thing on a jeep too.
Hello again. So since my 86 4x4, SM465 truck is a hydraulic clutch how do I connect that to the hydraulic slave cylinder? And also, will my stock hydraulic master push enough fluid to fully release the clutch and work properly? Thanks so much for your help.
I fabricated my own line and adapter to make it happen. I am not aware of any off the shelf solutions but its possible there is something. The SM465 master cylinder size is perfect for the NV3500 internal throw out bearing. Mine works like it came that way from the factory
Here is what I did for a Jeep it’s similar. Between this video and my blazer one you should be able to figure it out Making a stainless clutch line for a Jeep Grand Cherokee ax15 ruclips.net/video/HE-a5XrPSLw/видео.html
Great video! In your video, you said that you got the clutch, flywheel and hydraulic throw out bearing from a 98 small block. Does matter which vehicle? Do you know which vehicle yours came from?
@@spankranchgarage i met a mechanic in our area and told him about what i have seen here his answer was that the engine can’t handle 5 speed manual when u shift to 4th and 5th gear. So i came to you to make sure be up its a theory he never did that
since I would like to swap this into an 86 GMC 4x4 shortbox (currently has SM465), can I just use the original truck clutch pedal set up? thank you. I am learning alot still.
Absolutely. I love this swap, I have been driving it ever since. It makes the old 305 feel a little stronger and I picked up 2mpg. She will have a 5.3 soon enough though
@@spankranchgarage that’s awesome I’m glad to here. 305’s were never meant to be fast. Just ease on the throttle and it’ll get there. And don’t over rev bc they hate it lol…… would you have chosen an nv4500 if you had the chance? I have an older nv4500 and contemplating using it over the 3500 only because idk if I really want a 1 ton trans in my daily driver. Although I take it everywhere so the super low 1st would be kinda nice. Idk yet. Save the 4500 for my 80 with a carbed LS and put a 3500 behind my 91 burb with 3/4 ton axles. I do tow which the 3500 sucks for Apperently although I’ve never seen an issue if you’re not hot dawgin every gear
@@bdavis12758 For the K5 I would like a 4500 because I do plan on tons and some mild off roading. The creeper low is nice. BUT as for the strength of the nv3500's, I had a 90 K1500 and a 2000 4.8/NV3500 truck I towed cars and equipment for thousands of miles without an issue. They aren't as weak as everyone likes to make them sound. They shift like a car and are cheap to acquire. I think with 37's and 4.56's everything will work out just fine.
@@spankranchgarage sounds like a nice build. 4500’s are suuuper hard to find anymore. I paid $1200 shipped for mine and I luckily got lower miles on it. But I’ve seen them go all the way up to $2,500….. and I cannot find a single 3500 anywhere that isn’t already shot.
@@bradcoffin6489 If I remember right the 465 is a bit shorter so yes you may need an auto front shaft. The rear would need to change too most likely. Depends if yours is slip yoke or flange too. If its slip yoke an auto driveshaft would probably work.
I'm 7 mins into this video and in my head I'm like this due is a beast. Perfect mix of wing it and make it work yet super knowledgeable. I can definitely relate with working with what you have rather than spending tons of money on "bolt on" or "direct swap" parts. I love this video man good stuff 🤟
Also do you know pros/cons of an NV3500 VS NV4500?
NV3500 is a way nicer street trans. It shifts easier, its lighter, and it has a usable first gear. The NV4500 is a much tougher trans. Its a 4 speed with a low gear. Very good for towing and off road. In my case the NV3500 was okay for this blazer but in a heavier duty situation I would go NV4500
And what vehicle should I look for to get an NV4500 off ? I'm planning to do this to my 2001 express van 3500...
This is 10/10, going to go source some parts for my own swap now! Crazy you scooped all that up for cheap.
Great video, Crazy how it’s truly a bolt in swap
Nice Job man! I did this swap about a year ago on an 84 K5 and did the same thing with my transfer case cover. In hindsight, you can adjust the linkage and move the whole cover back to save your indicator and light.
Awesome! Glad to hear it, its a good swap
Thanks for the info. I have a 86 k5.
Fantastic job! The video editing and step step was spot on!
Thank you!
Sweet. I didn't know you had this. As always, slushbox junk to a proper manual is a necessary upgrade.
My nv3500 Blazer is looking pretty bad. I ratchet strapped the fender back together but found two more huge frame cracks. The snow Gambler might be its last event...
S10s suck! Good trans tho
i did this same swap at around the same time, but a '00 nv3500 into an 87 k5 and a universal wilwood pedal/slave.
haha you also have the same wheels and tires that i do, rallies with courser mtx's
@@kevinnoneman8246 I was thinking of doing the wilwood pedal if my home made one didnt work out. And these tires hook great but DAMN THERE LOUD
The Wilwood clutch master cylinder/ pedal makes it easier to keep correct rod length and rod angle so release bearing will wear properly as factory??????? Do you know how long that kit was available?
@@paulc4213 Uhh, im not sure what youre talking about with the rod length/angle, and as far as the "kit," i bought the parts seperate on amazon and did a 5 or 6 piece combination of fittings, adapters, brake line and braided line to connect the universal wilwood master with the GM internal slave.
If youre talking about the "rod length" as in external hydraulic slave, there's no issue there as the nv3500 had internal slave (hyd. throwout bearing) from 96-onwards (im using a '00 model from a 4.8 silverado). The early 93-95 external slaves are on the passenger side of the bellhousing, and do not fit (without large lift kits) in 4x4 squarebodies, the slave cylinder would interfere with the front driveshaft. If you were going to use the external slave transmission in a 2wd truck, i think it would work it may hang low, and you'd need to do youre own research as to what fittings you need.
@@kevinnoneman8246 thanks for clearing that up, I understand it better now.
It's funny I'm doing kind of an opposite swap. In my 96 extended cab K1500 I'm going from a 4L60e to a SM465 from an 86 C10. Had a 465 in my old 1990 C1500 with the 350 and loved it. I noticed you were comparing some lengths and other specs to the 4 speed and the 3500. Lmk if you have any pointers for my swap. Good video.
i had an 85 with the granny low which meant that first gear was useless unless you were rock climbing, so it was more like a 3 speed, always wondered what a 5 or 6-speed would be like
Been trying to find info on this to do this swap this video just answered almost all my questions 👍
Happy to see top of the line brake fluid being used
Only the most recent for a 36 year old
Fixing to install one in my wife's 1980 K5. Going from a mechanical clutch, to a hydraulic one.
Should be pretty easy for you. Pull the linkage out and modify the pedal to accept the master cylinder.
Great video for a very beloved vehicle ❤️… though I’m interested in what was peeking in the center console? 👀
awesome video. I had a wild hair up my ass to LS swap a K5 and then I got to thinking, what about manual.... This is exactly the video I needed to watch. Thanks!
Thanks for watching. Mine will get an LS eventually too
@@spankranchgarage383 sbc
You are a master ! Thank you doing this
Great video! I will be doing this soon
The old 305 sure did pull good for what it was
Nice job! I want to do this to my '84 Dodge 4x4.
I wonder if that NV3500 is strong enough for my 91 k2500. I currently have a granny low 4 speed in it now. Great job on the swap !
They are fairly tough units. I’ve towed cars with them for years in 2 different trucks with no problems
Will this also work with the 2wd? Have a ‘85 burban c10 with the 700r4 but I don’t have the transfer case of course..
Yes with a 2wd NV3500 I would expect the swap to be very similar
Nice swap man. That’s awesome
this is fantastic! solid work
Really enjoyed the video as a whole. Just curious on what gears you have in the back and what's your cruising speed on the highway at what rpm.
It had 3.23's in it back when I did this swap. It doesnt have a tach but Id imagine the highway RPMs were very very low. It had 32's on it and with this lazy 305 it wouldnt pull 5th on some local highway hills. Now it has 4.56's in it to prepare for 35" tires. It has a .73 overdrive where the 700R4 has a .70 if I remember right. Its very similar.
Good job. I say forget the 5.3L, go for SBC 350 wtih Vortec head and cam, good for 400 hp.
Love the square bodies! Always have always will. Do you think it would be this straight forward on a 2wd truck? Thinking about doing the swap on my 84 square and was very curious!
I think it will be even easier on a 2wd.
@@spankranchgarage hey brother just saw your reply from a month ago. Going to go ahead and drop my nv3500 in my truck as soon as I get the last few parts gathered. Can you give me a parts number for the -3 fitting you used when converting from the factory gm fitting? I would appreciate it very much dude!
@@ScratchandDentGarage Russell 640281 you can get them on amazon or summit racing
Thanks for this well made video. It makes a guy's swap a breeze!
No problem!
Could you have just swapped the input shaft on your old transfer case? I cant find any info on doing it that way instead of buying a new transfer case.
That’s a great question. I was going to do that until I got a deal on another case. I’ve done input shaft swaps on many J231 transfer cases and it’s easy. The 208 has loose needle bearings that fall out when disassembled, I think. Very doable just a little tedious
Thanks so much Just bought an nv3500 to put in mine
Good to hear!
Awsome job, and video. Ive been thinking of this swap and now feel more confident doing it. I do have questions about hoe the clutch pedal is mounted exactly?
The pivot bolt for the brake pedal, I just extended it all the way through and hung the clutch pedal along side it. I made spacers to keep everything where I wanted it. Simple and effective. I haven't had any problems with it yet but I could see additional support being needed in the future if I changed to a heavy clutch or something.
@@spankranchgarage oh ok. that makes sense. Thanks for explaining it.
Awesome Job Squarebody Brother.
Thanks!
What fluids did you use? Atf in the rear transfer case and Syncro mesh in the transmission? Just wondering, because that's what I used. So far so good! Do you recommend adding any other fluids like Lucas synthetic in the transmission?
Thats exactly it. Syncromesh in the NV3500 and ATF in the NP208. Amsoil has a syncromesh replacement that I use in my other truck and its okay. Not better not worse from what I can tell
Hi, very good work, but how did you solve the problem of the speed signal of the NV3500 to adapt it to the mechanical speedometer?
The speedometer is driven from the transfer case on the 4wd trucks, so no change there it all works like stock
Was there a specific hole you had to drill before mating the 208 on it?
It’s the bottom hole. You can slot it or just leave it out. I think I left it out
Man you’ve cracked a giant cheat code here you the king 👑
Curious though what input shaft did you change the transfer case to to make fit the 3500 ?
I swapped the whole case with one from a 3/4 ton truck. You can just swap the input shaft if you want but whatever works for you. Any 208 from a th400 or a sm465 will work
Any thoughts going from a 4 speed to a 5 speed 85 gmc k1500 I believe, what type trans and xfer case am I looking for?
Edit, a third of the way into your video and I must say you are an impressive person, I don't say that as often as I wish I did in 2023 America, bravo good sir, bravo
2nd edit, are those the factory seats, I have a 99 silverado with a solid motor and no frame left and I'm hoping to find time to swap seats as I loath bench seats.
Thank you! Yes those are factory seats for the 85 K5
Very cool swap
So I have a question and hopefully it’s able to be answered I just bought my first OBS 1997 Chevy truck and I think it has an in the nv3500 transmission and I noticed that there was some stuff swapped out whenever I go to shift since it’s hydraulically driven I hear a lot of clunking noises and rattles and at high speeds or moderate speeds the transmission rattles like crazy but overall it just makes a whole Lotta crazy noise I know that it could possibly be the throwout bearing. But what’s funny is when I drive this thing pretty hard and shift it like a race car it has no issue but if I try to drive it gentle it doesn’t like it. This truck is all I have right now as my newer GMC bit the dust just after the warranty ran out so I have to keep this truck running
Did you make sure there's fluid in it? The NV3500s make some noise in 4th and 5th I find. If the noise changes substantially with pressure on the clutch pedal I would look into the TOB
Yours was an 86 model and had clutch master mounting dimples on the firewall. Any idea what year they started doing that? Obviously older ones had linkage…
If I had to guess, 85/86 is when they probably started dimpling them. There pretty hard to see but very convenient
Love the video. Thanks for posting I was wanting to take the sm465 out and know I know to get the auto crossmeber thanks
Thanks!
You da man! Doing the same swap on my 76 square soon.
Thanks good luck!
hi, so to be clear you started with a 208/TH400 stock 32 spline set up? I have an 86 4x4 SM465 i want to upgrade to a NV3500 or 4500. thoughts/advice on that?
Yes a 208 from a th400 will bolt up to a 3500/4500. If your swapping one of these into a 465 truck measure your 465 for length and compare to my specs. If it’s close you can probably keep the same driveshafts. The shifter hole will be different tho
@@spankranchgarage thank you so much for the advice, I also have a converted 203/TH400 combo, I'm wondering if that 203 might also bolt up to an NV 3500/4500.. If I could use that TC instead of the one in my truck, then I can just pull and keep my TC in my 86 connected to SM465 and store it away as the stock setup.. thoughts on that? Thank you!...
@@jtp682 The 203 is pretty old and probably has the firgure 8 bolt pattern and not the round pattern. I dont think it will fit. If its got the round pattern it should
Got a 76 K10 with a sm465 do these same steps apply?! TIA
Not quite. Yours is mechanical clutch and likely different transfer case pattern, different shafts, etc. Its actually easier to swap a 700r truck to a NV3500 than swap a 465 truck to an NV3500
Do you do consults? Got a 2003 chevy silverado 4x4 with a 5 speed that needs work.
Sure what can I help you with?
You literally didn’t show the ONE thing I needed to see lol
How did you figure out where to cut your shifter hole in the floor
The most in depth video I have watched, but missed the only think I was looking for haha
That part was really easy. When I test fitted the trans I just pushed it up against the tunnel and traced the shifter box with a marker then cut it out. You can also just measure off the bellhousing face
Looking to put an nv4500 behind a crate 6.5 optimizer in my 88 suburban after my 700r took a dump. Still trying to figure out/decide which transfer case to go with. Most logical seems to be an np208, I know np205s are gear driven and stronger. Hope it all lines up as nice as yours did. do you have any advice or thoughts on transfer case?
The 208 is a fairly tough case I wouldn't be scared to put it through some torture. The 205 is very tough but I am not sure how available they are with the round bolt pattern. You also have the 241 option from a 1990 ish 2500 suburban.
@@spankranchgarage thanks for the help, your videos are legendary. Right now I have a 6.5 to a 700 to a np203. Swapping in the nv4500. So you would recommend just doing a 208? Found a 208 on marketplace for 400 and a 205 on marketplace for 650. I wonder if they are the same lengths
I have a question. I’m looking into doing the same swap for the same reason. My 700r4 isn’t working out for me. I come across nv3500s all the time but never the ones that you have in this video. Would a early 90s nv 3500 be just as good as a late 90s nv3500 like yours? Thanks
They will all work. The older ones are external slave if I remember right. There were upgrades throughout the years. Weakest being the earliest ones and the strongest being the ones that came behind the 4.8LS GMT800s. I had a 1990 k1500 that we used really hard for many years and no problems. All depends on how hard you will be on it. Id be hard pressed to break a tire loose with this boat anchor 305 let alone break the transmission.
@@spankranchgarageI have a mild 350 in my truck that probably makes 375hp. I've seen videos of people using stock nv3500s with built ls engines so I'm sure my truck won't break a transmission a later model nv3500. I plan on getting a higher hp rated clutch for it as well.
Hi, I've got an '87 K10 with an SM465 / NP208 combo. Like you said, the output shafts on the sm465 should be the same as the NV3500 so I could use my original 208. For the crossmember, is it the same for a 465 as it is for a 700R4? if not, should I buy a crossmember that is meant for a 700R4 or just move the existing crossmember back? Thanks!
I am not absolutely positive, but I think you can just move your crossmember back. Measure your SM465 from bellhousing flange to Tcase flange and compare it to the measurements I had in the video. That should take all the guess work out of how far you need to move the crossmember
@@spankranchgarage Hi, did some research after posting this. I gotta use a 700R4 crossmember which is okay because LMC makes their own high clearance crossmember for that transmission. Thanks for the info though!
I’m curious how you sourced parts.
Just junk yard scavenging or internet sleuthing?
You obviously knew which cars to get which parts, do you know of any resources to help with that?
90% of the parts I used came from a GMT400 truck. So searching for 88-98 K1500 stuff would be my first move. Transfer case needs to come from any squarebody with a NP208 and a TH400 auto or SM465 trans. I always keep an eye out on facebook marketplace as well as local junkyards for parts I can potentially use for my projects.
so does this mean that an NP207 T Case will bolt up to a NV3500? Trying to manual swap my S10.
That I do not know off the top of my head. But I know shifter position is different on an S10. Luckily for you they made hundreds of thousands of NV3500 S10's so just use a transmission from one.
Would this be the same for a 1991 square body suburban? Wanna do the same to my rig
Very similar except yours has the NP241 transfer case. If its a 3/4 ton it will be a direct swap. If its half ton, you will need a 32 spline input for your transfer case or find a 89-91 32 spline transfer case
@@spankranchgarage perfect thank you, It is indeed a 1/2 ton so that makes my life a whole lot easier
Is there any wiring that you had to do for the transmission?? I seen there's a plug on the side of the NV3500
Yes there is a reverse switch on the trans. You can splice this into the reverse light wires that exist on the factory column shift. I havent done that yet but its on my list
Will be swapping an NV3500 into my 93 S10 soon. Do you have to do anything with the Neutral Safety Switch? Or just disconnect it?
For this particular k5 I just left the column in park and took the shifter off. You might have to trick the nss for a fuel injected s10
How do you get the speedometer to show the speed? The nv3500 transmission is digital and the speedometer is mechanical.
Speed signal comes from the transfer case.
Dude, it's beautiful! My turn.
Glad you like it!
Do you remember where you sourced the pedal from bro, thanks! :)
It was from a GMT-400. I bent and cut it up to work for me.
Would love to see how that bracket you made attaches...are you saying it attaches to the brake pedal bracket, and it sorta "floats"/suspends, there to the left of the brake pedal? @@spankranchgarage
@@fishmidi19 The brake pedal pivots on a bolt. All I did was put a longer bolt through so it extends out the left side of the brake pedal bracket. Then I slid the clutch pedal onto that. Its wildly simple but works fine. I did this exact same thing on a jeep too.
Did you measure to cut floor for shifter or just eyeball it?
If I remember right I put the trans up there with no clutch and traced the shifter hole onto the bottom of the tunnel
I'm looking to use the same trans on a cj7. What is the part number for the fitting you used on the slave cylinder?
amzn.to/3RxHRck Right here on amazon. Perfect fit
@@spankranchgarage Thank you!
You think this setup can work the same behind a 02 4.8 ls?
Yeah that’s easy since it was a factory setup. Just order flywheel and clutch for an 02 k1500 with a 4.8/nv3500. Ideally use a LS nv3500 too
Kool, thanks. All will be going in my 77k10 pickup wohoo
Hello again. So since my 86 4x4, SM465 truck is a hydraulic clutch how do I connect that to the hydraulic slave cylinder? And also, will my stock hydraulic master push enough fluid to fully release the clutch and work properly? Thanks so much for your help.
I fabricated my own line and adapter to make it happen. I am not aware of any off the shelf solutions but its possible there is something. The SM465 master cylinder size is perfect for the NV3500 internal throw out bearing. Mine works like it came that way from the factory
@@spankranchgarage awesome. can you expand on how you fabricated a line?
Here is what I did for a Jeep it’s similar. Between this video and my blazer one you should be able to figure it out
Making a stainless clutch line for a Jeep Grand Cherokee ax15
ruclips.net/video/HE-a5XrPSLw/видео.html
External slave clears driveshaft well?
Mine is internal so I can’t answer that unfortunately
Do you have a picture of the pedal assembly after you installed it
I don’t sorry
@@spankranchgarage ok I plan on doing this to my 83 c10
I have a 208 transfer case with 27 splines and a nv3500 with a 32 splines what can I do there?
What I did was source a 208 from a 3/4 ton truck its a direct bolt on. OR you can find a 32 spline input shaft from a 208 and swap it into yours.
Great video! In your video, you said that you got the clutch, flywheel and hydraulic throw out bearing from a 98 small block.
Does matter which vehicle? Do you know which vehicle yours came from?
1998 Chevy k1500 pickup
How is after you installed the new gear?
Its great. This swap was one of the best changes I ever made to this truck
@@spankranchgarage i met a mechanic in our area and told him about what i have seen here his answer was that the engine can’t handle 5 speed manual when u shift to 4th and 5th gear. So i came to you to make sure be up its a theory he never did that
since I would like to swap this into an 86 GMC 4x4 shortbox (currently has SM465), can I just use the original truck clutch pedal set up? thank you. I am learning alot still.
You need to see if your 86 is mechanical clutch or hydraulic. Do you know?
@@spankranchgarage yes it is
@@spankranchgarage Sorry, I wasnt clear. Yes it is a hydraulic..
@@spankranchgarage its hydraulic
will a 2wd 700r4 and 2wd nv3500 line up perfect as well
I don’t know that for sure but I think it will based on pictures
Do you still have this k5? How is it working for you?
Absolutely. I love this swap, I have been driving it ever since. It makes the old 305 feel a little stronger and I picked up 2mpg. She will have a 5.3 soon enough though
@@spankranchgarage that’s awesome I’m glad to here. 305’s were never meant to be fast. Just ease on the throttle and it’ll get there. And don’t over rev bc they hate it lol…… would you have chosen an nv4500 if you had the chance?
I have an older nv4500 and contemplating using it over the 3500 only because idk if I really want a 1 ton trans in my daily driver. Although I take it everywhere so the super low 1st would be kinda nice. Idk yet. Save the 4500 for my 80 with a carbed LS and put a 3500 behind my 91 burb with 3/4 ton axles. I do tow which the 3500 sucks for Apperently although I’ve never seen an issue if you’re not hot dawgin every gear
@@bdavis12758 For the K5 I would like a 4500 because I do plan on tons and some mild off roading. The creeper low is nice. BUT as for the strength of the nv3500's, I had a 90 K1500 and a 2000 4.8/NV3500 truck I towed cars and equipment for thousands of miles without an issue. They aren't as weak as everyone likes to make them sound. They shift like a car and are cheap to acquire. I think with 37's and 4.56's everything will work out just fine.
@@spankranchgarage sounds like a nice build. 4500’s are suuuper hard to find anymore. I paid $1200 shipped for mine and I luckily got lower miles on it. But I’ve seen them go all the way up to $2,500….. and I cannot find a single 3500 anywhere that isn’t already shot.
So i have an sm 465 in a 84 4x4 chev will my transfer case fit a nv 3500 or 4500
Yes as long as it’s the round bolt pattern
@@spankranchgarage what about drive shafts? would I have to get a set for an auto truck. Thank u for your input and the video
@@bradcoffin6489 If I remember right the 465 is a bit shorter so yes you may need an auto front shaft. The rear would need to change too most likely. Depends if yours is slip yoke or flange too. If its slip yoke an auto driveshaft would probably work.
What tire size are you running
Those are 32x12.5r15
So how much would you charge to do this on my Blazer? Lol
does anyone know the size difference between the nv3500 and the th400if so let me know
I couldn’t see if the truck actually drives at the end…
It drives really nice I have no regrets doing this swap
I can't even find one nv3500 in TX!!
They are out there just need to be persistent. They come up around me fairly often for good prices. Check car-part.com too
Why not a 4500?
This fell in my lap for super cheap and they are plenty strong
32 spline
Hello bro what’s tranz case model and number
The transfer case? It’s a NP208
Why didn’t you just go out to the junk yard and get the pedal set up out of a 81-87 pick with a clutch. And buy the transmission cover also
Square bodies aren’t common where I live. I junkyard often and haven’t come across a hydro pedal assembly in the last couple years
I live where there is a ton of squarebodies in the junk yard, pedal assemblys go quick