strutaeng

Yeah, Manuel! 😊🤣

_zebra

iTrader: (5)

update on the 1993 Chevy: turns out it's got the heavier F51 shocks but the standard 10bolt 8.5 rear end. ascertained that from the 6200 GVWR & JB5 brakes (10" rear drums).

_zebra

iTrader: (5)

as for the NV3500 vs NV4500: having had both in my GMC, i liked different things about each one. the 3500 shifted better (having had stock & hurst shifters on both as well) and had nicer gearing spreads... granted i only experienced the NV4500 with 4.30s (was going to swap to 3.42s but then sold it). the stock trans ran in front of 3.73s and 4.30s during my ownership - either was okay, but 4.11s would've been better.

the guts were mostly the same between GM & Dodge variants of both transmissions... but the input/output shafts, bellhousing & engine bolt patterns, and tailhousings were wildly different - so they won't interchange if you're needing parts or looking at swap donors. Dakotas also had a beefier NV3500HD with a higher torque rating and gearing similar to the M50 (only in midsize 4.3 and 96-98 C/K1500 L31)... but it won't work in GMs.

_zebra

iTrader: (5)

alright... another dilemma of conflicting info:

in trying to confirm the tow ratings of both, i'm getting wonky data for the Dodge. 6600 GVWR is pretty consistent across the board, but most places (including the original sales brochure) state the 4x4 1500 quad cab short bed with the 5.2L has a 7150 max trailer weight & 12,500 GCWR... applicable to both transmissions (NV3500 & 46RE) & both gear sets (3.55 / 3.92). i know that's gotta be unless the stronger units were artificially underrated.

motortrend is the only place i've found listing 4300/7250lb for that same configuration - with the 5speed manual in the rest of the specs, but they don't provide a source reference. it at least appears consistent with my NV3500 experience and how physics work. i assume that means the 3.55 rear might be quite the castrating device, and a 3.92 swap would be in order.


the Chevy's cut & dried in GM's 1993 Light-Duty Truck Technical Guide: K1500 extended cab fleetside short box with 5.7 + manual trans + 3.42 = 6200 GVW, 7000 max trailer

shakenfake

Does it really matter that much?

_zebra

iTrader: (5)

a 1/2 ton truck only being able to pull 4300lb without possibly burning something up? yeah, that matters... especially when even the Taco is certified to 6400 (not that i'd ever make a habit of towing that much with such a pint-sized truck).

shoot - towing the vette is almost 5500lb with nothing else loaded up. at least 3.92 is an easy factory swap that's adequate, even if 4.11s or the like ain't available (i read something about limited gear selections for the Dana44 / Chrysler 9.25 combo).

strutaeng

You can't find an owner's manual copy online? That should have the official towing capacity with the various combinations

shakenfake

My point was why would you ever tow with the half ton when you have your Dodge?

_zebra

iTrader: (5)

strutaeng

Very nice 👍