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Scrub · 10-21-2003, 12:55 AM

I looked into a 5 speed myself and decided to go with a non overdrive unit as they are stronger. If you run a slightly higher gear set, you get about the same high gear results. Depending on the tranny you choose, you can have the same (or close) low gear results. I decided on a NP542, of which there are quite a few to choose from. They were made for almost all US built of Light commercial trucks, (like bobtail dumps with 20 inch duals) but the best Chevy version was commonly in a school bus. I am using a divorced t-case, so I can get away with a bit more stuff without having a custom built adapter. Pricewise, the 542 is generally cheaper than a NV4500 as nobody really knows what the heck they are. Parts seem to be available and they are strong as heck.

I haven't done anything about actually buying one, but a guy here in town has one behind a cranked up 503 (which he claims will pass a powerstroke like it up on jacks) and he pulls big hay trailers all over the place with no tranny problems. He tried a Clark and said it Was Crap

Just a little side dish for the discussion.

Good luck

10-21-2003, 12:55 AM	#8
Scrub Collector of rusty Items Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Sisters,Oregon USA Posts: 731	I looked into a 5 speed myself and decided to go with a non overdrive unit as they are stronger. If you run a slightly higher gear set, you get about the same high gear results. Depending on the tranny you choose, you can have the same (or close) low gear results. I decided on a NP542, of which there are quite a few to choose from. They were made for almost all US built of Light commercial trucks, (like bobtail dumps with 20 inch duals) but the best Chevy version was commonly in a school bus. I am using a divorced t-case, so I can get away with a bit more stuff without having a custom built adapter. Pricewise, the 542 is generally cheaper than a NV4500 as nobody really knows what the heck they are. Parts seem to be available and they are strong as heck. I haven't done anything about actually buying one, but a guy here in town has one behind a cranked up 503 (which he claims will pass a powerstroke like it up on jacks) and he pulls big hay trailers all over the place with no tranny problems. He tried a Clark and said it Was Crap Just a little side dish for the discussion. Good luck __________________ Scrub Sisters, Oregon - Home of the Sisters Rodeo. 70 GMC 1,000,000 + miles 72 K-20 project, 456 Dana60 front, Corp14 rear w/locker, 265R19.5 tires 20-ply. Warn 12k winches both ends, Cross-over steering with raised tie-rod, Powerbox steering, 4500 watt 120-AC power, Air, Hydraulic aux power, 4 inch lift, 5000 lb air-bags both ends. Last edited by Scrub; 10-21-2003 at 01:00 AM.