New Venture Gear
Soon Chevrolet also followed suit with its 6.2L and 6.5L engines in the early 90s and replaced the SM465 unit with a transmission made by new venture gear. The NV4500 transmission also was equipped with an overdrive fifth gear and was still a top-load transmission. It had a cast iron case and featured carbon composite synchronizers. This particular model of transmission was also adopted by Dodge in 1994 and replaced the Getrag five-speed. Chrysler had a great relationship with new venture and offered both the NV4500 five-speed and NV5600 six-speed as an option behind its 24-valve Cummins engines from 1998 until 2004. In 2005, Dodge decided to utilize a transmission designed in 2002 for medium-duty trucks. This transmission was commonly known as the G56 and was manufactured by Mercedes. It featured an all-aluminum housing and a very peculiar double “H” gear pattern with reverse to the left instead of to the right of the transmission. Chrysler has used this transmission ever since.