72 Gmc 4x4 nv4500 swap help

[72 k15]

Hey guys I got a 72 Gmc k15 np205 12bolt rear dana 44 front, 350,th350. So I am wanting to go to a Manuel but I am doing some highway driving and need a overdrive so an nv4500 sounds good to me... I am wondering if there is a cheaper way to do this other then buying this https://www.advanceadapters.com/prod...spline-nv4500/ At that point im at about 3000$ in the swap I was hoping around 2k I heard that you can get a 32spline nv4500 and np205 and they will mount? How is the fitting on that into the cab then Many thanks.

[franken]

Most GM NV4500s are 32 spline, so chances are when you find one it'll be the same. AA is pretty proud ($) of their stuff. You might try ORD or others. Look for a 4x4 NV4500; that'll eliminate the tailhousing in the AA kit. Keep an eye out for a round pattern NP205; pretty rare but they're out there. Obviously you need the clutch/brake pedals and a way to actuate the clutch so more parts there. You need a BH, flywheel and clutch. The BH is usually unique to the 4500 since most if not all had a different bolt pattern. The AA BH is ~$400; some drill a 4-speed BH and bolt the trans to that. Try getting the conversion guide from the AA website. A 205 that was bolted to a TH400 or 4L trans, and late late 205s bolted to SM465s had 32 spline inputs, but the length on the autos is ~2" too long. AA has a spacer, or the input can be swapped.

I spent a lot of time reading, researching, hunting parts and parted a burb to get a slew of parts for my conversion that'll probably never happen because I'm lazy. Great garage art for now. Between parting the truck and buying and selling an NV4500 off CL, I have basically zero Dollars in all the parts needed (including a range box) to bolt the 4500/RB/205 in--just need to lengthen and shorten driveshafts.

Try pirate4x4.com, CL, offerup.com, etc. for used parts and be patient.

Maybe ~5-600 for a 4500 core, ~1000 for a shop to rebuild, ~250-300 for a round 205, call it another 1000-1500 for smaller parts and you're past 3000 regardless. Rebuild kits are less and there are instructions to do it yourself.

[72 k15]

Maybe ~5-600 for a 4500 core, ~1000 for a shop to rebuild, ~250-300 for a round 205, call it another 1000-1500 for smaller parts and you're past 3000 regardless. Rebuild kits are less and there are instructions to do it yourself.[/QUOTE]
I dont mind paying the money for the kit If it all mounts correctly into mounts/crossmembers and comes out in the right spot in the cab...

[franken]

You have a high hump I guess. The AA TC shifter bracket replaces whatever's there so that shifter is in the right spot. As I recall the trans shifter is a few inches back from where the SM465 would be but you're TH350 so right spot is undefined. No promises at all on the crossmember, or driveshaft lengths. Moving the crossmember on these trucks is very easy.
I'm sure the AA kit will do what it says, but more will be needed. You can search this site for vn4500 and read up on how people have done conversions--several great writeups.

I'm now looking at youtube NV4500 vids
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=nv4500

There's a sticker on the top cover of an NV4500 that gives info. I think mine was GAMM. The internet can decode it since there are differences.
Check your rear gear ratio to see if an overdrive is a good choice...

[72 k15]

Check your rear gear ratio to see if an overdrive is a good choice...[/QUOTE]
I'd for sure need overdrive running 3.73s want to go 80 on highway would blow up that 350 pretty fast without it!

[nonstop]

May I suggest this thread:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=774253

How much gas can you buy for the cost of the swap?

What about taller tires instead?

[72 k15]

Originally Posted by nonstop

May I suggest this thread:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=774253

How much gas can you buy for the cost of the swap?

What about taller tires instead?

My plan is to run 2” tuff country lift 33s 3.73s and my play spots are all about a hour away will be my daily in summer. Mpg without od highway will be less then 10 I expect plus the rpm will be way to high around 3k speed limit is 80 and want to keep up with them. Not really even a mpg thing for me more of a comfort thing. Ps it would take 15k miles for it to be worth the cost.

[mongocanfly]

I have a nv4500 with 4.10s and 30" tires in my ton truck...I love this combo...but im running a LS also and they like that RPM...im running a little over 2k rpm with this setup at 65...
im setting up my current build up shooting for the same results...its a LS/nv4500/34" tire/3.73s....so im gonna change my gears to mimic the performance of the ton truck...with 373s it should turn a tad over 1600 at 65mph...so ill probably shoot for 4.56s which should get me just over 2k rpm at 65mph......
at 80mph id be turning over 2500rpm

with your 33s and 3.73s with a nv youll be turning 2127rpm at 80mph

heres a rpm calc thatll help determine what you getting...
http://www.csgnetwork.com/multirpmcalc.html

[72 k15]

I could leave in my 3.07s and 33s sm465 would be around 2300 rpm would be a lot cheaper.

[mongocanfly]

3.07/33/sm465 at 80 will be around 2500rpm...and the more your tires wear the higher your rpm will be to maintain the same mph

[72 k15]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

3.07/33/sm465 at 80 will be around 2500rpm...and the more your tires wear the higher your rpm will be to maintain the same mph

Well I do have a half built forged rods pistons lq4 6.0 sitting around would be cheap to Finnish might just put it in the 72 mine as well make it a full swap when I drop the NV4500 in to.

[mongocanfly]

Caution....it ain't cheap to hook a nv to a ls....I've got 2 done this way....

[72 k15]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Caution....it ain't cheap to hook a nv to a ls....I've got 2 done this way....

That kit has the bell hosing for a ls engine all I would need is clutch flywheel they had a the 6.0 and nv4500 mated from stock in 2500hds

[mongocanfly]

Yeah...that flywheel clutch combo is pricey though...I did both mine with all AA stuff....I searched and looked high and low for the factory stuff to do it with...never could find all the parts so I sucked it up and went AA..

[SunSoaked]

AA=Alot $$$ Anonymous. May require therapy when all is said & done.

[72 k15]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Caution....it ain't cheap to hook a nv to a ls....I've got 2 done this way....

I found the part number gold mine referenced a old thread I knew if you scroll down a ways it give you part numbers. Think those parts would work? Some of them you need to ignore could use the slave clynder, clutch kit,and flywheel numbers

[72 k15]

Originally Posted by 72 k15

I found the part number gold mine referenced a old thread I knew if you scroll down a ways it give you part numbers. Think those parts would work? Some of them you need to ignore could use the slave clynder, clutch kit,and flywheel numbers

Anyway I emailed AA and they said the kit will make it fit but you have to move the crossmeber back.

[mongocanfly]

Yeah...mines 2wd and I moved my crossmember back about 4in from where the sm465 was...the current build has a custom crossmember ..

[72 k15]

Up date I got a steal on a sm465 t case ect Im going to just do that and put a ls in the ls shouldn't mind 2350 rpm only worrie is millage on highway now..

[SunSoaked]

Originally Posted by 72 k15

Up date I got a steal on a sm465 t case ect Im going to just do that and put a ls in the ls shouldn't mind 2350 rpm only worrie is millage on highway now..

Well put! You say something about milage?

[72 k15]

Originally Posted by SunSoaked

Well put! You say something about milage?

Ah escaped my mind while writing I ment mpg hopefully not lower then 10 on highway.

[72 k15]

Originally Posted by SunSoaked

Well put! You say something about milage?

What do you think I’ll get highway mileage wise mph75 2350rpm?

[SunSoaked]

Originally Posted by 72 k15

What do you think I’ll get highway mileage wise mph75 2350rpm?

A heavy, square solid axle truck will never get you the mpg you'd think. A diesel or ls conversion will help if you have lots of time and money to lose. It will be better than what it is but not as good as you would hope for. The real question is, how much is the cool factor worth to you in dollars?

[72 k15]

Originally Posted by SunSoaked

A heavy, square solid axle truck will never get you the mpg you'd think. A diesel or ls conversion will help if you have lots of time and money to lose. It will be better than what it is but not as good as you would hope for. The real question is, how much is the cool factor worth to you in dollars?

Already got a half build lq4 6.0 I’ll put in it will be turning 2300 rpm highway I was hoping/thinking 12-10mpg