FAQ: Transmission Specs

FAQ: Transmission Specs

Gear Ratio

• 1st – 3.00:1
• 2nd – 1.67:1
• 2nd – Prime 1.50:1
• 3rd – 1.00:1
• 4th – 0.75:1 (45RFE COMES PROGRAMED WITH 1 .75 OVERDRIVE RATIO. 1999-2002)
• 5th – 0.67:1 (545RFE COMES PROGRAMED WITH BOTH .75 & .67 OVER DIVE RATIOS. 2003-2008)
• Reverse – 3.00:1
• Torque Converter – Up to 2.40:1
• Oil pan bolts: 11.8Nm or 8.75 Ft Lbs
• Primary fluid filter screw: 4.5Nm or 3.33 Ft Lbs
• Fluid Type: Mopar ATF +4, or any Dexron IV approved fluid (the author uses Redline Oil Synthetic D4 ATF)
• Fluid Capacity for Service fill (drop pan, change filters, refill): 6.2 Liters or 6.55 Quarts

By design, the 545RFE is quite sophisticated. It employs multiple gears ranges controlled electronically to provide greater fuel economy as well as great responsiveness for passing and acceleration. Precision engineering and manufacturing methods also helped to reduce overall NVH (noise, vibration, harshness). It features five forward gear ratios with an alternative second gear ratio (2 Prime) for smoother 4th to 2nd kick-downs at high speeds to provide spectacular passing performance over a wider speed range. The addition of the fifth (overdrive) gear ratio is the primary cause of the lower NVH and better fuel economy (lower RPMs = less noise and fuel consumption).

It is electronically controlled by the TCM or Transmission Control Module. This module is the heart of adaptive shifting programming. The TCM depends on data from several sensors and switches to determine driver demand and the Jeep’s operating conditions. Controls are in place to protect the transmission from damage from high temperatures. The TCM protects the transmission by modifying shift schedules, line pressure, and converter clutch control. These controls reduce the amount of heat that is created and increase the cooling of the 545RFE. The 545RFE is contained in a one-piece die-cast aluminum case. To reduce NVH, integrated into the case are ribbed to increase multi-angular torsional rigidity. There are dual lubricant filters in the 545RFE. First is the customary internal main sump pan filter; second is the external canister-type pump return filter.
The NV3500 is a medium-duty 5-speed overdrive manual transmission manufactured by New Venture Gear used by GM and Dodge in compact and full-size light trucks.

It can be identified by its two-piece aluminum case with integrated bell housing and top-mounted tower shifter.

• Manufactured by New Venture Gear
•  Order code: DDC
• Input torque rating: 300 ft-lb
• Max GVWR: 7,200 lb
• Max GCVWR: 11,000 lb
• Fluid Capacity: 4.8 pints to the bottom of the fill plug
• Weight (with oil): 110 lb
• Mopar Manual Transmission Lubricant (PN 4761525) is the ONLY lubricant recommended for the NV3500.
• Fill Plug: Front housing on the passenger side
• Drain Plug: Bottom of the front housing

Lubricants recommended for the NV3500:

• Mopar Manual Transmission Lubricant (PN 4761525)
• GM Synchromesh Transmission Fluid (in US 12345349 in Canada 10953465)

Capacity:

• 4.2 pints

NV3500

• 1st 4.01
• 2nd 2.32
• 3rd 1.40
• 4th 1.00
• 5th 0.73
• R 3.55

1992–2005 New Venture Gear Manufactured several versions of the NV4500 5speed truck transmission for General Motors and Chrysler Corporation.

The NV4500 is a very popular 5-speed manual conversion and upgrade transmission in light trucks and SUVs from Toyota, Ford, Jeep, General Motors, and Dodge. Commercially produced adapters are available to mate this transmission with many different engines and transfer cases.

Special Synthetic gear oil is required for the proper operation and lifespan of the carbon composite gear synchronizers.

• These are the ONLY lubricants recommended by New Venture Gear for the NV4500:
  o 75W-90 Castrol Syntorque Synthetic (NOT the same as Castrol Syntech)
  o Mopar Manual Transmission Lubricant (PN 4637579)
  o GM Goodwrench Synthetic Manual Transmission Fluid (PN 12346191 in Canada 10953477)

Capacity:

• 8.0 Pints
  Chrysler Corporation Dodge Truck division used the NV4500 as NVG4500 in “Standard” and “Heavy Duty” applications.

Standard Duty

• o 1992.5-2002 5.2, 5.9 V8
• o 2003–2005 5.7 Hemi

Heavy Duty

• o 1994–2005 5.9 Cummins Turbo Diesels and V-10

Features:

• Dodge NV4500 Transmission to bell housing bolt pattern (shared with the 1995–2005 GM light trucks)
• Concentric internal hydraulic clutch slave cylinder with the integrated throwout bearing
• Dodge specific input shaft
• o Standard Duty used on V8 gasoline engines
• o Heavy Duty used on 5.9l Cummins Turbodiesel & 8.0l V10

4×4 Dodge Specific output shaft

• o 23 splines 1992.5-2001
• o 29 Splines 2001–2005

Gear Ratios:

• 1st 5.61
• 2nd 3.04
• 3rd 1.67
• 4th 1.00
• 5th 0.73
• R 5.61 (to 1997) 5.04 (1997 on)

The NV3500 is a medium-duty 5-speed overdrive manual transmission manufactured by New Venture Gear used by GM and Dodge in compact and full-size light trucks.
It can be identified by its two-piece aluminum case with integrated bell housing and top-mounted tower shifter.

Applications:

• 1993-1998 Chevrolet & GMC CK with Vortec 4300
• 1999–2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2500LD
• 1999–2006 GMC Sierra 1500 and 2500LD
• 1993-2003 GM S (S10 etc) trucks with 4.3 liter Vortec 4300
• 1994-2001 Dodge Ram 1500
• 1994-1995 Dodge Ram 2500 Light Duty
• 1994-???? Dodge Dakota V8

Dodge Ram order code DDC
General Motors RPO codes MG5 M50

Features:

• Single shift rail unlike the HM290 and 5LM60
• The distance between the centerline of the main shaft and the countershaft is 85mm.
• Fully synchronized forward and reverse gears.
• A two-piece aluminum housing with no access plates.
• A shift tower-mounted shift leaver.
• Designed for four-wheel (RPO M50) and rear-wheel (RPO MG5) applications for GM and Dodge
• Rated for 300 ft·lbf of torque
• Weight 110lb with oil

Wide Ratio Gearing Option in GM Fullsize Light Trucks:
1st 4.02
2nd 2.32
3rd 1.40
4th 1.00
5th 0.73
R 3.55

Close Ratio GM S/T Small Trucks & 2500 Dodge Ram Truck Gearing:
1st 3.49
2nd 2.16
3rd 1.40
4th 1.00
5th 0.73
R 3.55
OVERDRIVEAvailability: Std. – 3.7 and 4.7 standard output

Description: Synchronized in all gears
Gear Ratios:
1st 4.23
2nd 2.53
3rd 1.67
4th 1.23
5th 1.00
6th 0.79
Reverse 3.84
Overall Top Gear 2.54 with 3.21 axle ratio, 2.80 with 3.55 axle ratio
OVERDRIVEAvailability: Available with 3.7L engine

Description: Clutch-selected planetary gear sets full electronic control, electronically controlled torque converter clutch
Gear Ratios:
1st 2.84
2nd 1.57
3rd 1.00
4th 0.69
Overall Top Gear 2.45 with 3.55 axle ratio, 2.74 with 3.92 axle ratio