NV4500 = Crap???

[ckhd]

I have been contemplating a 5-speed in my ’69 K10 for quite some time now. I used to be certain that I was going to use an NV4500…

All I see is how strong and wonderful the NV4500 is. Four wheel drive magazines sing it’s praises, so does everyone else, but I can’t ignore my own observations.

Case #1. My brother’s ’94 light-duty (six-lug) K2500 Chevy 350ci. NV4500 started to die at about 240,000 miles. Completely died at 250,000 miles.

Case #2. My best friend’s ’92 K3500 dually 454ci. Bought the pickup at about 45000 miles, about 2000 miles later, NV4500 started making noise. Been VERY noisy ever since, hard to shift, pops out of gear sometimes.

Case #3. My Dad’s ’94 Dodge ¾ ton 4 wheel drive w/ a Cummins. 130,000 miles, NV4500 dies (well, 4th gear worked, but none of the others).

Case #4. The NEW replacement NV4500 that my dad put in his ’94 Dodge Cummins. 5th gear decided not to work. We took it back, they said that a retaining nut backed off, and they tack welded it to make sure it didn’t do it again. A few days later, 5th stopped working again. Took it back, this time, they put a nice full bead on the nut. Not sure how the tranny is behaving at the moment…

Now, before you guys start saying things like “It was 240,000 miles”, how about my SM465 in my ’69 that has over 300,000 miles, or the Getrag 360 in my ’89 Dodge ¾ 4-wheel drive with 450,000 miles & a Cummins that has at least 150,000 miles with a heavy trailer behind it. And before you start saying, “It was behind a Cummins, or a 454”, see above note about the Getrag. Yes, the Getrag needs rebuilt, bad (synchros are shot), but it still shifts, still has ALL gears available, and doesn’t make much noise.

Am I wrong? What’s the deal with the NV4500?

Anyone used something BESIDES an NV4500 for their 5-speed swap (four wheel drive)??

Any thoughts on the subject?