"The Beast" 85 Chevrolet Crew Cab Dually

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by texanidiot25

With the D60, I've already got some good towing gears. With that 1st I should out right be able to pull a house or two in 1st gear.

When the short 1st isn't needed, their OK to launch in 2nd gear? Haven't driven a granny 1st gear trans before.

I do burnouts starting in 2nd gear all the time. from both a standing and rolling start.

The thing you have to realize is this, it all depends on gear ratio.

The 700R4 has a 3.06:1 first gear, 1.63:1 2nd, 1:1 3rd, and a .7:1 4th

The NV4500 has a 5.61:1 first, 3.04:1 second, 1.67:1 3rd, 1:1 4th, and finally a .73: 1 overdrive.

So in other words 2nd gear on a NV4500 is like being in first gear on the 700R4.

The hardest part about doing that swap is building the new cross member for your transmission.

Here is something else to consider, the tire size you want to run is going to dictate what rear end ratio you run as well. The Dana 60 is a great axle, but many of them came with 4.10 gears or even 4.56'es in some cases to help you lug a load.

If you run a 31.5" tall tire, (which is what most load range E's are) your engine will have to turn 2,235 RPM to go 70 MPH Where as if you run a 25" tall tire with 4.10's you are looking at 2,817 RPM to go the same 70 mph.

Now if you went with a 3.55 rear end ratio, and a 27.5" tall tire, you could then run 70 MPH @ 2,258 RPM. What is the difference? It is fuel mileage, the lower you can get your engine RPM's the better mileage you will get at least to a point.

And as per our conversation with your current tires being 31" tall, that means with your current 4.10 rear end you will pull 2,271 RPM @ 70 MPH

And just for giggles, with your current 4.10 and the 1:1 final drive ratio of the TH350 and a 30" tall tire, you have to turn 3,112 RPM to go 70 MPH!

So installing a NV4500 alone will get you a 841 RPM drop. In other words that is a 27% drop in engine rpm.

You decide to do the swap let me know, I know everything you need having done it myself a few times.

[MrBeast]

Today has been a pretty damn productive day, I figured out that it was my fuel tank selector switch that was keeping the tank from switching, which is way better than the valve its self because those are a pain in the butt to change.

I also got the AC blowing cold, and soon I am going to head back out and start on the heater core. I am hoping that by the end of tonight that I can have the dash completly reassembled.

Tomorrow I will be getting the bracketry for the Passenger side seat built so I can get it mounted and get the carpet put back in. When all that is done, I am going to have a runner on my hands for sure. I am really looking forward to it.

Also tomorrow the luggage rack on the roof is going bye bye and I will be getting all the holes welded shut, then touching it up with a little rust oleum.

Oh, and somwhere in there too, I am going to try to get my stereo installed. I want tunes! and I miss my sirius radio.

[thirdstreettito]

Love this build as much as your 72. I'll be doing an NV4500 or NV5600 swap into my K10 eventually. I'm hoping to have 33" tires and 4:10 lockers. My diesel should be getting even better mileage then! Maybe 26? Now with the R4 I get 22 hwy.

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by thirdstreettito

Love this build as much as your 72. I'll be doing an NV4500 or NV5600 swap into my K10 eventually. I'm hoping to have 33" tires and 4:10 lockers. My diesel should be getting even better mileage then! Maybe 26? Now with the R4 I get 22 hwy.

Actually you wont get any better mileage, the R4 actually has a slightly taller overdrive, it isn't that much of a difference, but it does, going to taller tires hurts mileage, so you will probably wind up back at 20.

[texanidiot25]

But one thing to take into consideration is the lesser parasitic drag the manual has over the auto. Although, for an auto the 700R4 is fairly efficient (only known for a 14% power loss if I recall right), a manual is still more efficient. Meaning less work on the freeway for the motor.

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by texanidiot25

But one thing to take into consideration is the lesser parasitic drag the manual has over the auto. Although, for an auto the 700R4 is fairly efficient (only known for a 14% power loss if I recall right), a manual is still more efficient. Meaning less work on the freeway for the motor.

Well this is true, but it will basically cancel its self out with the difference in gear ratio.

[MrBeast]

Im workin on the passenger side seat brackets, got one welded up, more pics to come.

[rod86]

wow, this sure coming along nicly, u sure have put in some hours on this. well done mate

[thirdstreettito]

What did the NV4500 come out of? Remember, it can only handle max of 14,500 GVW. So F450's might be out of the question.

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by thirdstreettito

What did the NV4500 come out of? Remember, it can only handle max of 14,500 GVW. So F450's might be out of the question.

I think your information is flawed, I was told 22,500, but I am not sure, I know I have pulled some mighty heavy stuff with this one, and the wrecker I was driving had one, pulled super heavy with it quite a few times. Way over 14,500

The weak link is the output shaft, if you replace it with a different design shaft that has a full seat for the gear, you run the right oil in the tranny, and you don't abuse it under load you should be fine.

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by rod86

wow, this sure coming along nicly, u sure have put in some hours on this. well done mate

5 AM last night!

[MrBeast]

So the girl is here, and she is amazing!

The truck however has a blown transmission, it is not so amazing, I am seriously considering installing my Cummins an a NV5600 in it. I just don't have the 5600, going to have to do some searching around and see what I can come up with.

Going to be a while until I have the cash anyhow, so its going to be parked. Back to work I go!

[rod86]

any pics of her?

[SBTork]

Originally Posted by rod86

any pics of her?

see bottom of post #1.

Congrats on getting her home.

The truck can be fixed, just takes time and money. Why did the NV4500 take a dump?

[MrBeast]

I bought a tow truck and drove up to the Waco area to get it, I towed the 85 back with the tow truck, well on the way back the transmission sprung a leak, dumped the fluid, and what little was left inside caught on fire.

It was not a shiny happy time.

[thirdstreettito]

The NV4500 blew? Did you see how it ran before you bought it? Also, did you use the right oil? There are SPECIFIC oils that have to be used in the NV4500 any other oil and it will blow up.

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by thirdstreettito

The NV4500 blew? Did you see how it ran before you bought it? Also, did you use the right oil? There are SPECIFIC oils that have to be used in the NV4500 any other oil and it will blow up.

I am well aware, and I have put over 60,000 miles on this transmission, and what went out is the damn little vibration dampener pos between the shifter and the tower, and it opened up enough of a hole to sling the oil right out.

The transmission had the Castroil Sintorq that is specific for the NV4500 in it.

I might be able to rebuild it, I am not sure yet we will see. I need to pull it out of the truck and see what kind of damage was done.

[thirdstreettito]

Originally Posted by MrBeast

I am well aware, and I have put over 60,000 miles on this transmission, and what went out is the damn little vibration dampener pos between the shifter and the tower, and it opened up enough of a hole to sling the oil right out.

The transmission had the Castroil Sintorq that is specific for the NV4500 in it.

I might be able to rebuild it, I am not sure yet we will see. I need to pull it out of the truck and see what kind of damage was done.

Didnt mean to seem harsh, just trying to figure out what went wrong. Hope it can be rebuilt.

[rod86]

damn what a shame, hope u get it all sorted....

[MrBeast]

Well I can find another 2WD NV4500 for about 400-500.00 so that isn't going to kill me. I think the worst of it is going to be getting the smell out of the cab.

The thing I can't decide right now is weather to put my Cummins in the 85, and set it all up, or to finish building the 72, and put the Cummins in that.

Kind of a tough decision.

[thirdstreettito]

Buy another Cummins and put one in each!

[Chlsnk]

Looks good! That door you cut up looks better than the one on my truck now! lol

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by MrBeast

Well I can find another 2WD NV4500 for about 400-500.00 so that isn't going to kill me. I think the worst of it is going to be getting the smell out of the cab.

The thing I can't decide right now is weather to put my Cummins in the 85, and set it all up, or to finish building the 72, and put the Cummins in that.

Kind of a tough decision.

I'm a gas engine boy, so sticking with the big block would be a no brainier to me. Hope it works out quickly for you and you get get the beast back on the road quickly.

[74 C-30]

put the Cummins in one and buy a 6V53 Detroit for the other!

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by 74 C-30

put the Cummins in one and buy a 6V53 Detroit for the other!

I am tempted to put my 7 cab on a duce and a half frame, but.. I want it to be functional.