QU10011 4x4 Fully Splined Mainshaft 1994-2004 Dodge 4x4 NV4500HD

QU10011 4x4 Fully Splined Mainshaft 1994-2004 Dodge 4x4 NV4500HD Transmissions is the original fully-splined mainshaft with a 3-piece thrust washer to isolate the mainshaft fifth gear from the mainshaft fifth gear nut. A popular and effective shaft for minimizing the dreaded NV4500 5th Gear Loss. 29 Spline output spline. Fits any NV4500HD 4x4 transmission in 1994-2004 Dodge Ram 2500, Ram 3500 trucks. Made in Taiwan.

Also See QA1045 Heavy-Duty 29 Spline 4x4 Mainshaft Kit.

Need More Info? Use the handy Links below to access over 40 years of Dan's product and vehicle specific Tech Notes to easily get the information you need for your vehicle's repair, maintenance, or upgrade project!

Dan the Gear Man® Tech Notes:
Mainshaft Specs
Not a Press Fit
5th Gear Failures
Torque
Matching Mainshaft Parts
Matching Synchronizer Parts
Matching Bearings
Matching Small Parts
NV4500 Tools
Conversion Chart
Matching Parts
Applications

Tech Note 1: Mainshaft Specs
QU10011 is a 4x4 29 spline mainshaft with a full length 5th gear spline. QU10011 is grooved behind the 5th gear splines for an included, 1/8" wide, 3 piece piece Thrust Washer Set.
QU10011 Specifications  and Approximate Dimensions:
Overall Length: 17-1/2"
Output Spline: 1.475" x 29
3-4 Synchro Hub Spline: 1.45" x 28
1-2 Synchro Hub Spline: 3.365" x 20
Reverse Clutch Spline: 2.285" x 45
Fifth Gear Spline: 1.79" diameter x 1-7/8" long by 35 spline
Width of 3 Piece Thrust Washer: 1/8"

Tech Note 2: Not a Press Fit
There is currently no available NV4500 mainshaft from any supplier that will have a press fit for the 3-4 synchro, mainshaft 5^th gear, or the rear output bearing. They are specifically designed and machined this way to speed assembly. The only shafts that had a press fit were the original equipment New Venture shafts and our Torque King shafts, both of which are long out of production and no longer available.

Tech Note 3: 5th Gear Failures
For more information about NV4500 5th gear failures, see:
5th Gear Failures and Solutions
NV4500 Cast Iron Tailshaft Housings

We no longer make the Torque King® Mainshaft and Retrofit Kits as described in the 5th Gear Failures and Solutions, article which leaves full spline shafts the only choice currently available for Dodge NV4500HD transmissions. While full spline shafts do not actually cure the 5th gear issue, they do greatly reduce the chances of the nut backing off.

Tech Note 4: Torque
Ever since the Cummins Diesel was introduced in the 1989 Dodge Ram, people have been modifying the engines to crank out more horsepower. Unfortunately, all the manual transmissions used behind the Cummins Diesel (Getrag G360 (1989-1993), NV4500HD (1994-2004), NV5600 (1999-2005), and G56 (2005 to current) are only rated for around stock engine torque. When you increase your power output, you also increase the chance of having a major transmission failure. While some reasonably effective steps can be taken to increase the torque ratings of specific components, there is no practical way I know of to really make your Ram manual transmission "bullet proof" for big torque increases. 

There are claims that cryogenically treating NV4500 gears will increase gear strength as much as 30%. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be any peer-reviewed documentary evidence to support those claims. Cryogenically treating gears is primarily a cold-hardening process that changes the molecular structure of steel to decrease wear while retaining or increasing hardness. If properly done, it is probable the cryogenic treatment process does slightly increase the impact and fatigue resistance of NV4500 gears, but not enough to significantly increase the ability of an NV4500 transmission to reliably handle more than 600 Lb.-Ft. of input torque especially considering the maximum factory torque rating of the NV4500HD transmission is only 460 Lb.-Ft..

Tech Note 5: Matching Mainshaft Parts
Matching Mainshaft Gear Part Numbers for QU10011 Mainshaft are:

Tech Note 6: Matching Synchronizer Parts
Matching Synchronizer Parts for QU10011 Mainshaft are:

Tech Note 7: Matching Bearings
Matching Bearings and Bearing Kits for QU10011 Mainshaft are:

Tech Note 8: Matching Small Parts
Matching Small Parts and Small Parts Kits for QU10011 Mainshaft are:

Tech Note 9: NV4500 Tools
Need Torque Specs or Rebuild procedures? Order my 116 page, full color illustrated TM1003 NV4500 Rebuild Manual.

You will need some special tools to correctly service your NV4500 Transmission. The chart below lists our current NV4500 Special Tools for popular models.

Tech Note 10: Conversion Chart
NV4500 Transmissions are frequently used for conversion applications. The Table below lists the most popular rear output applications and their associated parts.

  *Electronic, Screw-In Speedometer Sensor
**22 Tooth Mainshaft 5th Gears listed for 1992-2005 Dodge and 1995-2007 GM with 5.61:1 1st gear ratio. 1992-1994 GM with 6.34:1 first gear ratio use 19 Tooth QU10728 Gear. QU10728 is NOT compatible with Dodge 29 and 31 Spline Output Shafts.

Tech Note 11: Matching Parts
Other Matching Parts for QU10011 Mainshaft are:
QA1045 Fully Splined 4x4 Mainshaft Kit
QU10069 Mainshaft Nut Set
QU10076 Rebuilder Spec 1-1/4" x 10 Spline Input Shaft
QU10199 Replacement 1-1/4" x 10 Spline Input Shaft
QU10261 Upgrade 1-3/8'x 10 Spline Input Shaft Kit
QU90003 Anaerobic Sealant
QU90006 3.35 oz Ultra Black RTV Sealant
QU90005 0.5 oz Ultra Black RTV Sealant
S24200 6ml Medium Strength Blue Threadlocker
S9978 1 gram Medium Strength Blue Threadlocker
S9979 1 gram High Strength Red Threadlocker
S24026 High Temperature Threadlocker for Mainshaft Nut
QU90020 NV4500 Manual Transmission Oil
TM1003 NV4500 Shop Manual
VSG1003DVD NV4500 Overhaul Video
QT2000 29 Spline Shaft Wrench
QT2001 Mainshaft Nut Wrench, 1/2" Drive
QT2036 Mainshaft Nut Wrench, 3/4" Drive
Dodge and Ram Shop Manuals

Applications
Dodge and Ram:
Ram 2500, Ram 3500 with 4x4 New Venture NV4500HD Transmission: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004