[83GMCK2500]

The variety of NV4500 experience is good to hear. I own two, one is on the road, other waiting for bearing kit and mainshaft swap to 4WD. To my knowledge the one in the '96 has never been rebuilt, 293,### miles and the wear in the shift tower and general transmission behavior reflects that. Once it's warmed up it might as well not have syncros, I do a lot of double-clutching when the oil is hot. In the past month or so it's developed a howl in 5th at 60+ MPH, it howls over tires, it howls over the radio, and it's only while under drive, if I go down a good enough hill (with cruise set) or let off it quiets in an instant. Feather the throttle and it chirps out a howl in relation to drive from coast.

I'd like to find a shop that knew these intimately enough to go through both of mine.

Larry, your ZF description has me laughing at my desk, not only the mental picture but the accuracy of it.