NV3500 Transmission: Specs, Compatibility & Buying Guide

If you’ve been searching around for a light-duty manual gearbox for a Chevy or Dodge truck, you’ve probably come across the NV3500 transmission. It’s been around for years and is known for being a good mix of decent strength, easy shifting, and not weighing a ton.

You can find this transmission in early 90’s half-ton pickups and SUVs. Before you swap the used transmission into your truck, you must know about the basic features, specs, which model it will fit into and what to look when buying used transmission. Let’s run through it.

What is the NV3500 Transmission?

The NV3500 is a 5-speed manual built by New Venture Gear. Think of it as the middle ground not as heavy-duty as the NV4500, but also not a weak link for light truck use. It’s aimed at drivers who want a manual gearbox without sacrificing comfort or fuel efficiency.

It’s got an aluminum case to keep weight down and is generally reliable if it’s not abused. The NV3500 works well for everyday driving, light towing, and general work truck use. You’re not going to pull a big fifth wheel with it all day, but it will handle normal loads without complaint.

Features & Specs Overview

If you look for NV3500 5-speed specs, you will see these:

• Type: 5-speed manual
• Gear Ratios:
  • 1st: 4.02
  • 2nd: 2.32
  • 3rd: 1.40
  • 4th: 1.00
  • 5th (OD): 0.73
  • Reverse: 3.55
• Torque Capacity: About 300 lb-ft, don’t push much beyond that
• Case Material: Aluminum
• Dry Weight: Roughly 110 lbs
• Best For: Light-duty trucks

Compared to NV4500, the NV3500 is easier to drive in traffic, but it’s not made for heavy commercial loads. That’s the trade-off.

Compatible Models & Years

Fitment matters, you can’t just grab any NV3500 and expect it to bolt right in. The input shaft length, bellhousing, and internal setup can change depending on the year and brand.

GM Applications:

• 1993-2006: Chevrolet Silverado 1500
• 1993-2006: GMC Sierra 1500
• Some S-10 and GMC Sonoma pickups in the mid to late ‘90s
• Certain Tahoe and Yukon models in the 90s

Dodge Applications:

• 1994-2004: Dodge Ram 1500
• 1994-2004: Dodge Dakota
• 1996-2004:Dodge Durango

Pro tip: always check the tag or casting number before buying. There are small year-to-year differences.

Pros & Cons of the NV3500 Transmission

Pros:

• Lighter than most truck gearboxes
• Shifts smoothly for a manual truck transmission
• Plenty of used units around at decent prices
• Simple to maintain if you know your way around a manual gearbox
• Doesn’t kill fuel economy

Cons:

• Won’t handle extreme torque like an NV4500
• Not ideal for very heavy towing
• Some years have synchromesh wear issues, especially in higher gears
• Aluminum case can crack if the truck takes a hard hit underneath

How to Maintain & Extend Lifespan

The NV3500 Transmission will last a long time if you don’t beat it to death. A few basic habits help:

• Use the right fluid, GM Synchromesh or the recommended equivalent. Don’t dump generic gear oil in it.
• Change the fluid every 30-50k miles.
• Don’t rush shifts, especially when loaded.
• Keep an eye out for oil leaks around the seals.
• Stay under the torque limit.
• If you hear strange noise, fix it before it gets worse.

Buying a Used NV3500 Transmission

When you’re shopping for an NV3500 gearbox for sale, there’s good and bad out there. A few tips from the field:

• Before buying, you must check the donor vehicle’s casting and part numbers, so you don’t get a wrong unit.
• Inspect the case for cracks and rust.
• Spin the input and output shafts to check the roughness.
• Ask about mileage and how previous owner used and maintained it. A low-mile box from a work truck could be more worn than a higher-mile daily driver.
• Rebuild or replace? If it’s got synchro issues, figure the NV3500 transmission rebuild cost into your decision. It will range you from $800 to $1,500, depending on its condition and mileage.
• Buy from a seller who offers at least some form of warranty, even if it’s short.
• Make sure the unit you buy have some form of warranty, even if it is for short-term period. Carmotiveparts.com offers 90-days of warranty.

If you have a doubt between the NV3500 vs. NV4500, choose as per your usage. For light-duty NV3500 is fine. For heavy hauling NV4500 is best.

Conclusion

From the above gist, we conclude that NV3500 is a solid and strong manual gearbox for light trucks. It is not a powerhouse like the NV4500 but it is smooth, light and affordable. When buying used NV3500 transmission, you must know its specs, which model it fits into, inspect it before making a payment to save yourself from future headaches and money. If you maintain the transmission at regular interval, it will give years of running smoothly. The key is to buy right unit for your truck with right approach, whether you go for used NV3500 manual gearbox or rebuild unit.