What's the best 5 speed manual for a 454 2wd??

[Basurto454]

I have a 1985 Silverado C20 2wd crewcab with a 454 that I'm rebuilding.  I have a 4 speed on the floor with a grany low.  I want to swap out the tranny for a 5 speed.  Any suggestions on the best tranny to swap it out with.  I tow dirt bikes and occassionally a boat, and stuff around the house.  I want to conserve gas, that's why I want the 5 speed.  It's going to be a daily driver with a little get-up-and-go.  Suggestions?  I want to keep it as a manual tranny.

Thanks for your replies.

[Blue 82]

Doug nash now makes an OD 5 speed
.77 OD
runs about $2700

[Basurto454]

Thanks for the reply.

Being that it sounds new, I don't suppose I can find it in an older truck or car and save some money?

Thanks,

[Captkaos]

Doug Nash isn't in buisiness anymore and the overdrive they made were 4+3's for the Corvette.
The did make a 5 speed, but it is NOT overdrive, it is 1:1 5th.  I have one going in my Regular Cab 454.  Richmond bought the rights to the 4+1 transmission Doug Nash built, still not overdrive.  The build a Overdrive transmission, but it is a 6 speed. (basically a 4+1 with an overdrive)

If you want an overdrive 5 speed for a 1T crewcab, my suggestion is get one out of a 92-up 3/4T or 1T pickup, it is an NV4500.

[eventhorizon66]

A performance-oriented 5 speed likely isn't going to have the GVW capacity you need.  The highest rated Tremec TKO is limited to about 5500 GVW (based on the last generation's rating; new ones aren't rated???).  I would assume that the Richmonds are even less than that.  You may need to look more in the direction of an NV4500 (14,500 GVW rated), depending on how much you tow and how heavy that boat is.  But one of these would not be very fun for performance street driving as they are intended for 1-ton applications and have a granny low of either 6.34:1 or 5.61 depending on model.

Dang it, Capt, you posted while I was typing and beat me to it.

[DnStClr]

Starting in 95 there were more streetable gear ratios installed the GM NV4500's. After 94, GM units were built with the same gear ratios as the Dodge unit.This info comes from the NV4500 web site-


              GM 93-94                       95/up GM; 93/up Dodge
First Gear    6.34                                         5.61
Second Gear  3.44                                         3.04
Third Gear     1.71                                         1.67
Fourth Gear   1.00                                         1.00
Fifth Gear    0.73                                         0.73
Reverse         6.34                                         5.61               

[Basurto454]

You guys are great!  Thanks for the help.

[Basurto454]

Here's an email from someone selling a tranny.  How can I tell if this will fit my truck:

I have a Doug Nash/US gear Dual Range DNE2 overdrive great for a big block or Diesel Ford.
Model DNE2, serial is 012855
I have the control box, but no driveshaft. It has a Ford fixed yoke output.
This was in an 89 Ford truck with a 460.
This overdrive bolts in place of the C6 tailhousing.
GVCW rating of 35,000 lbs and a torque capacity of 2000 ft lbs
I have tested the electric motor woks, and the unit shifts into 20% overdrive 0.8:1 or direct1:1 gear.

Any info would help.  He's asking $700 for it.
Thanks,

[Blue 82]

Doug Nash isn't in buisiness anymore and the overdrive they made were 4+3's for the Corvette.
The did make a 5 speed, but it is NOT overdrive, it is 1:1 5th.  I have one going in my Regular Cab 454.  Richmond bought the rights to the 4+1 transmission Doug Nash built, still not overdrive.  The build a Overdrive transmission, but it is a 6 speed. (basically a 4+1 with an overdrive)

If you want an overdrive 5 speed for a 1T crewcab, my suggestion is get one out of a 92-up 3/4T or 1T pickup, it is an NV4500.

Sir,

You are correct I did make a mistake by quoting that Nash makes a 5 speed OD,
Nash is incorrect, the manufacturer is Richmond

Richmond does in fact make a 5 speed OD
it does have the .77 OD
it called the Super Steet
it does sell for approx $2700

Here is the link
http://news.hspn.com/articles/1293/1/New-5-Speed-Transmission-with-Over-Drive-From-RICHMOND/Page1.html

My sincerest apologies,
sorry for the confusion.
Blue 82

[HAULIN IT]

Basurto, The unit you posted in the ad is an add-on unit that bolts on the back of, in this case, a C-6 Ford automatic transmission. This is a nice unit for an over the road older truck. There is a unit made by Gear vendors that is very similar. They are installed by removing the tail shaft & installing this add-on unit. An electric solenoid is used to slide the fork to engage the overdrive portion. Lorne

[Blue 82]

Basurto, The unit you posted in the ad is an add-on unit that bolts on the back of, in this case, a C-6 Ford automatic transmission. This is a nice unit for an over the road older truck. There is a unit made by Gear vendors that is very similar. They are installed by removing the tail shaft & installing this add-on unit. An electric solenoid is used to slide the fork to engage the overdrive portion. Lorne

those US Gear OD are stout units
adapting it to your (SM465?) might be worth looking into

[zieg85]

US gear does have adapters for the SM 465.  My brother-in-law used to work for them and had one on his Super Duty F250.  I have been considering the Ranger

http://www.high-impact.net/transmission_and_gear/rangeroverdrive.htm

I have seen them from time to time on E-Bay.  I like the manual aspect of it, either in or out.

[Basurto454]

This is the best site ever!  I really appreciate everyone taking the time to reply.  I hope to be able to help other members as I gain more experience.

[Captkaos]

Richmond does in fact make a 5 speed OD
it does have the .77 OD
it called the Super Steet
it does sell for approx $2700

Thanks for pointing that out, I didn't know they had released the 5 speed OD unit.  I still wouldn't consider it for a towing vehicle.
US Gear has the rights to the DNE2 as Haulinit pointed out, I think it is called the V2OD now: http://www.usgear.com/v2od.htm