New Venture Gear Founded
GM and Chrysler reach final agreement to create New Venture Gear, the first joint venture among the Big Three automakers in history. GM share 36%, Chrysler share 64%.
NV4500 Transmission: History, Production Years, Specs
The definitive guide to the NV4500 5-speed manual transmission - origins, every model-year specification, the full production timeline from 1992 to 2006, and how to identify which version is in your truck.
Production: 1991-2006
Dodge & GM Applications
OEM Spec Data
Updated 2024
14 Years
YEARS IN PRODUCTION
1990
NVG JOINT VENTURE FOUNDED
5
FORWARD GEARS
5.61
FIRST GEAR RATIO (MEDIUM)
2006
PRODUCTION ENDS
Origins of the NV4500
Who Made The NV4500?
New Venture Gear (NVG) was a joint venture between Chrysler s New Process Gear (NPG) and GM s Hydromatic Muncie Transmission Division, formed on February 6, 1990. The NV4500 5-speed manual transmission is primarily a New Process Gear design that was assembled at the Muncie Transmission plant from late 1991 to mid-2006.
On February 6, 1990, General Motors and Chrysler reached a final agreement to form New Venture Gear - the first joint venture among the Big Three American automakers in history. The partnership combined Chrysler's New Process Gear (NPG) transmission expertise with GM's Hydromatic Muncie Transmission Division manufacturing capacity.
Even though the joint venture ended in 2002 when GM sold its 36% stake in the company to Daimler Chrysler, the Muncie plant continued to build NV4500 transmissions for Dodge to the 2005 model year and for GM to the 2007 model year. The quality of genuine New Venture Gear components is excellent, and Torque King 4x4 still stocks any genuine NVG parts it can find - though today, most NV4500 parts in stock are high-quality replacement parts manufactured overseas.
New Venture Gear Ownership Structure
General Motors - 36%
Chrysler - 64%
The NV4500 transmission was initially designed to allow for close, medium, and wide ratio models, plus there were plans for a NV4600 6-speed with a double overdrive. Only the wide and medium ratio 5-speed versions saw production. GM used the wide ratio version with 6.34:1 1st and reverse gear ratios in 1992 to 1994 trucks. Dodge used the medium ratio version with 5.61:1 1st and reverse gears from 1992-1996, as did GM for 1995-1996. All 1997-2004 Dodge and 1997-2007 GM NV4500 transmissions have a 5.61:1 1st gear ratio and a 5.04:1 reverse gear ratio. All Dodge NV4500 and 1999-2007 GM versions have a synchronized reverse gear.
Full Production Timeline (1990-2008)
What Year Did They Stop Making The NV4500?
NV4500 production ended in mid-2006 when the Muncie, Indiana plant closed. The last HD version was available in 2004 (Ram 2500/3500 diesel); the last LD in 2005 (Ram gas 2500/3500).
NV4500 Production Begins
Production of NV4500 5-speed manual transmissions with an overdrive 5th gear for 1992 model year Dodge and GM vehicles starts in Muncie, Indiana.
Last NV4500 LD in Ram 1500
Last year the NV4500LD was offered in the Ram 1500.
GM Divests - Muncie Plant Renamed
GM sells its share of NVG to Daimler Chrysler. Muncie plant renamed Manual Transmissions of Muncie.
Magna International Acquires 80% Stake
Canada based Magna International LLP acquires 80% of New Venture Gear.
Last NV4500 HD in Ram 2500/3500 Cummins
Last year the NV4500HD was offered in the Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 with the Cummins diesel.
Last NV4500 LD in Ram 2500/3500 Gas
Last year the NV4500LD was offered in the Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 with the V8 gas engine.
Production Ends - Muncie Plant Closes
NV4500 production ends. Muncie Transmission Plant closed.
Tooling Relocated to AGT
NV4500 tooling sold and moved to American Gear and Transmission (AGT) in Tennessee.
Magna Acquires Remaining 20% of Stock
Magna acquires the remaining 20% of stock from Daimler Chrysler.
Last NV4500 in New Vehicles
Last year the NV4500 was offered in new vehicles: the Chevy Silverado Classic and GMC Sierra Classic with 6.0L gas V8 engines.
AGT Liquidates Tooling
AGT liquidates NV4500 tooling in a nationally advertised auction.
AGT Files Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
American Gear and Transmission files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Dodge NV4500 Specifications by Model Year
Use this reference to identify which NV4500 variant is in your truck. Specification changes were significant enough between eras that parts are not universally interchangeable.
Showing: 1992-1993 Dodge (Early Generation) - Gas engine only, D and W series
INPUT SHAFT
1" × 19 spline
4X4 OUTPUT
23 spline
SHIFT TOWER
One-piece integrated
REAR OUTPUT SEAL
None (4x4)
REVERSE
5.61
APPLICATIONS
Dodge D/W Series (gas)
Complete Dodge NV4500 Spec Matrix
| Year Range | Variant | Input Shaft | 4x4 Output | 4x2 Output | Reverse | 1st Gear Ratio | Shift Tower |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992-1993 | Gas only | 1" × 19 spl | 23 spl | - | 5.61 | 1 | Top Cover |
| 1994-1996 | LD (Gas) | 1-1/8" × 10 spl | 23 spl | 30 spl | 5.61 | 1 | Top Cover |
| 1994-1996 | HD (V10/Cummins) | 1-1/4" × 10 spl | 29 spl | 31 spl | 5.61 | 1 | Top Cover |
| 1997 | LD (Gas) | 1-1/8" × 10 spl | 23 spl | 30 spl | 5.04 | 1 | Top Cover |
| 1997 | HD (V10/Cummins) | 1-1/4" × 10 spl | 29 spl | 31 spl | 5.04 | 1 | Top Cover |
| 1998-2005 | LD (Gas) | 1-1/8" × 10 spl | 23 spl | 30 spl | 5.04 | 1 | Bolt-on |
| 1998-2004 | HD (V10/Cummins) | 1-1/4" × 10 spl | 29 spl | 31 spl | 5.04 | 1 | Bolt-on |
Parts & Support Today
The quality of genuine New Venture Gear components was excellent, and Torque King 4x4 still stocks genuine NVG parts when they can be sourced. Today, most NV4500 parts in stock are high-quality replacement parts manufactured overseas - the transmission remains well supported despite production ending in 2006.
Torque King 4x4: NV4500 Specialists
Shop quality NV4500 transmission parts and get expert guidance for repairs, upgrades, and common transmission issues.
