Identifying and Changing Transmission Fluid in a Manual GMT400 (1500)

1989-2007 Chevy & GMC 1500
This video will first explain how to identify which manual transmission is in your GMT400 Chevy truck. It will then explain how to change your transmission fluid and which fluid to use in it.
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[@Harry_Dawg.]

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks.

[@josephjeffers925]

This was a huge help, thank you!

[@scottd345]

Good video, no background music/noise and stuck to the topic with illustrations. Thanks!

[@dennisarcher7710]

Exactly the video I needed for my new 91.. Awesome job man.

[@cuernodechivo5161]

Same dude! Feel like my 350 5 spd is hard to find info on

[@dennislescamela494]

Exceptionally well done, and informative video. Like others have said no stupid soundtrack, excellent illustrations, and stuck to the topic. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@michaelstreck0925]

Great info! Thank you!

[@automart3251]

GREAT VIDEO

[@sillygily4435]

This a great vidja right here

[@reynoldmichael1348]

This video saved me

[@EYE_SPIDER]

New to your channel - great content

[@perroenzangrentado9692]

Thanks for the video 👌👌

[@bobsmith-ru7xp]

I just got a remanufactured transmission installed in my 94, but the mechanic filled it with Dextron ATF. I'm gonna change it out tomorrow.

[@lynnmcmullen3157]

I bought a 91 long bed regular cab for the 5 speed for my 90 southern comfort. Went to gm for a rear seal and the guy printed me out parts list and such on the trans and said it was the getrag. Using syncromesh either way though

[@mo7mmedmohm650]

Please,When to change the normal transmission oil according to the instructions of the 2005 GM Sierraand which kind of oil is good

[@codycrowder2321]

Hey Doug. Have a 1998 with the nv3500. Want to install new shift tower. Do I need shift tower with internal detent or external detent? Lot of confusion surrounding this subject online

[@josea9409]

I got a question my driveshaft slip yoke snap I need a replacement do you know what part number is my is 1992 Chevy 4.3 swapped to 5.0 manual transmission

[@y0riai.]

Thanks Mate.

[@johnscreekmark]

What would be in a 1988 S10…2.5L…5-Speed Manual?

[@hillcharlie2761]

What about the transfer case I got the 89 5lm60

[@LokiOdinsson88]

Make sure you park on level ground as well.

[@jeremyb5168]

Can anyone tell me where to get replacement drain plugs for this transmission? The previous owner(s) totally stripped out the bottom drain so I cannot loosen it. Thanks!

[@YaboiRUNINAMUCK6996]

Ace hard ware any plug will work

[@donaldshoults560]

Do you know what that box with the hole in is? The one attached to the side of the transmission beside the fill plug? You can see it in the video

[@doggngarage4975]

I believe you're talking about where the slave cylinder bolts to the transmission. There's a clutch fork inside.

[@calebmanser8992]

I've got a '98 model and mine has a fill plug but no drain plug.

[@joediaz87]

Also the box that sticks out from the side of the transmission that's close to the fill plug , the box that has a hole in it. What is that? Mine is missing a nut or bolt ?

[@doggngarage4975]

If you're referring to what I think you are, its the section that the slave cylinder bolts to the transmission and houses the clutch fork inside. A bolt can go in there to keep debris out

[@nickdavis7520]

I just got me a 91 with the same transmission you are showing in the video. It runs good. I just changed the oil in it and after that reverse will pop back out. Should I be worried or should I go ahead and rebuild it? And do you know of any good rebuild kits out there?

[@doggngarage4975]

Mine shifts into reverse like a ton of bricks when it warms up, but it doesn't pop back out. They say our transmissions are a pain to rebuild and expensive because of the multiple shift rails. I haven't looked into the different shift kits. When mine finally goes out, I'm going to look for a different manual transmission.

[@oswaldoestrada2426]

I have 1993 k1500 sierra v6 with 5th gear being “OD” not sure if it’s an HM290 or NV3500 some info on it please which should I buy for my new transmission I no longer have the traction

[@doggngarage4975]

Mine says OD for 5th as well. I recommend the NV3500 between those two. I plan to go to a NV4500 in the future.

[@raulparedes7278]

Hello. what type of transmission fluid does the 5LM60 of the year 1989 use? Greetings.

[@doggngarage4975]

I'd use Synchromesh

[@blockheadfxstc0428]

Back when I researched the transmissions, I was Doing a R&R on an 88 1500, and it had the M5 Muncie 5speed and I read that is what they used through 91, using the Syncromesh fluid, thanks for the video and the work that went into making it, but I disagree on the transmission ID#s you showed

[@doggngarage4975]

Are you referring to the SM465?

[@odelldickey2218]

There is the Heavy Duty NVG 4500 , 5 speed that was an option from 1992 to 2007 GM Trucks .

[@doggngarage4975]

I knew they offered it in the 2500 and 3500. Was it offered for the 1500 as well?

[@odelldickey2218]

@@doggngarage4975 yes it was

[@doggngarage4975]

Nice. I'd actually be interested in installing one. Probably be fun trying to source one.

[@15Xalbatross]

@@doggngarage4975I have a 1992 k1500 that I bought from the original owner who ordered it with the NV4500 it’s a solid trans at 236000 miles. Gonna be putting a 6.0 here soon. I heard they had issues with the 5th gear and there is a fix on the nut but only in the Cummins they run in. Great vid and thanks for the info!

[@soul-snatcher859]

I have a 1990. Sierra k15 with 5.7 does not have original motor. I just let the truck set for a year while i built another 5.7 for it. I have it all together and now my trans makes a loud swishing sound it didnt do before. Stops whem i hold clutch in for a sec and let it wind down. Any idea what is going on ??? It did not do it before. I just changed fluid to synchromesh ...and it did not help at all. The truck came with a auto and some one has put a trams in it that looks just like yours .. From my homework research understamding it is a nv3500 it has a single bar or rail inside under the shift tower that the shifter thing is attatched to. Shifter thing looks like a lil cylinder and sticks up protrudes out past gasket tower mateing surface with shift tower removed. .. I cam not find any id numbers on this trams. There is a long gm number on the side with the same number except last digit is diffremt on the throw out bearing fork box. The box with the hole in it there that the slave cylinders bolts to the front of. Do i have a nv3500 u think ??? I need to buy some rebuild parts as it grinds going from 1st to 2nd and into reverse amd wont hardly go into first while rolling. U have to slow wau down to get it into 1st gear when down shifting. ??????? Any helo would be so greatly apreciated. I wish there was a way i could privatly message you and talk to you more about this over messages. Thamks for anything in advance.

[@doggngarage4975]

So based on what you shared, I think you have an NV3500 swapped in there too. As for downshifting to 1st gear and having to slow way down, that could be a couple of things. I would say you have a decent sized gear ratio in back. Also, those trannys came as either a close shift range (M50) or wide shift range (MG5). With that noise and the way it's acting, I definitely recommend rebuilding it too. Hope that helps a little. Keep me posted!

[@ronnierandolph3056]

I have a 3 speed in my 90 GMC. Do I still use the synchromesh fluid

[@doggngarage4975]

That's a good question. I'd look for an ID number on the transmission, and go from there. Do you know if that transmission was swapped?

[@rayortega1368]

I have a 1998 Chevy Cheyenne 4x4 1500 5.7 can you tell me what transmission it is

[@doggngarage4975]

Is it a manual transmission?

[@brandonbuchanan7071]

What's the measurements of the driveshaft for a 91 2wd Chevy c1500 long bed single cab

[@doggngarage4975]

If I'm not mistaken drive shaft length is 91.375", but I could be wrong.

[@brandonbuchanan7071]

@@doggngarage4975 yeah I got it fixed and the actual measurement is 75 and 3/4 inches long

[@doggngarage4975]

@@brandonbuchanan7071 glad ya got it fixed

[@raleh1]

Dogg’n my 98 gmc 5 speed 1500 dont turn on the white light on reverse ,I changed the original plug in the transmission case two times ,Tested the lights and is not electrical problem , looks like The transmission inside the case is not pushing the button to turn the lights on do you have some solution ???

[@doggngarage4975]

To be honest, my reverse lights don't work either. I haven't dove into the issue yet myself.

[@raleh1]

@@doggngarage4975 Thanks

[@joshuagarcia1540]

So I have a 92 s10 tahoe, It has an nv3500, I've determined, but the code is an mm5, it was manufactured in June of 92, does that mean anything to you guys? I mean the date? Because everything I've looked at says it's a 93 transmission. Oh, and one more question....theres another drain plug kind of behind where the slave cylinder is, what exactly is that for? Nothing came out of it?

[@doggngarage4975]

They probably started making NV3500 transmissions sometime in '92 and started putting them in some of the trucks early. If I'm not mistaken, I think that plug behind the slave cylinder is some sort of access port. Mine doesn't even have the plug anymore lol

[@lebrongooden8267]

Great info new to the Channel quick question 95 silverado one ton manual transmission on the hwy in 5 gear heard a noise now transmission will only take 4th gear do you think the tranny is shot

[@edgardomatos7742]

Hey , doug. I like to change my trans fluid . Felt some slippage , so im taking a dare , hopefully it will correct the problem, just purchased the truck , trying to restore as much as i can .any way whats the correct trans oil . 1989 gmc sierra. K2500 , 4x4 with a plow unit on it .. I have the filter which im gonna change. I look under. And seen a pan with bolts around it and drain plug in the middle , not a plug as your showing in the video , great video 👍.

[@doggngarage4975]

Is it a 5 speed manual?

[@edgardomatos7742]

@@doggngarage4975 no automatic transmission

[@doggngarage4975]

Depends which automatic is in it. I would guess Dexron VI, but I'd look for a casting # on it

[@edgardomatos7742]

@@doggngarage4975 ok , let me check some more .

[@edgardomatos7742]

Thanks

[@dafuq2165]

I'm looking for a shifter tower for a 1996 Chevrolet K1500 1/2 ton P/U 4WD 8 Cylinders M 5.0L MFI OHV 305 CID any help

[@doggngarage4975]

You could either ask junkyards or go online. Google search it and tons will pop up. They will basically say if it would fit your application. I'm going to say you got an NV3500.

[@dafuq2165]

@@doggngarage4975 my rpo code is mg5 which translate to a getrag 5 speed manual is that the same as a nv3500

[@doggngarage4975]

The outside of them look the same, but the internals are different. NV3500 is a single shift rail, whereas getrag is multiple. There's a lot of mix up between the two.

[@dafuq2165]

@@doggngarage4975 hey man thank you so much for your help maybe this comment will help other people as well I'm replacing the shift tower on my 1996 gmt400 5speed

[@thndr_5468]

Is there any filter that must be changed when doing this?

[@doggngarage4975]

No filter to worry about

[@thndr_5468]

thanks for the response!@@doggngarage4975

[@sergeanj]

I'm running an 89 with the HM290 in it from factory...

[@doggngarage4975]

I could see GM still doing some of those in 89. It could of been built in late 88, been a split year, or just an option that they drug out for another year or so.

[@eligarcia215]

I have a 94 Silverado 5.7 with a manual transmission. It’s got the low gear and OD. Just confirming that synchromesh is the way to go?

[@adancarrera8337]

Yessir way cheaper then conventional oil like $10 👍

[@matthewreade9848]

Kind of late to the party but that is an HD NV4500. Takes its own special fluid not synchromesh and is very expensive(30$ a quart)

[@carloscarlos1541]

I got a 1992 Chevy that needed a new motor so I got a 1984 motor for it. Do I get the same year truck clutch it got ? Or the same year motor ?

[@doggngarage4975]

I'd use the clutch that your transmission calls for. I swapped from a 5.0 to a 5.7, but stuck with the original clutch.

[@carloscarlos1541]

@@doggngarage4975 Okay thanks man

[@joediaz87]

I have a 1992 Chevy 4.3 liter v6 it's a 4 speed manual but had Overdrive it was my dad's truck and he died 2 weeks ago and I'm no mechanic and need all the help I can get , well I'm having problems with a few things if you can help me out? It's a few simple things but nobody seems to be able to help that goes for AutoZone & O'Reilly. When I'm in 4th it goes high on rpm so I shift into Overdrive and seems to work as a 5th gear? U have an email I could message you on ? I got a few questions if you wouldn't mind.

[@doggngarage4975]

I'm sorry for your loss. Sounds like it's just a 5 speed to me. [e-mail]

[@adriansuarez4699]

Is it possible to install a nv3500 on a 89 k1500?

[@doggngarage4975]

As far as I know, it should bolt right up. Just make sure you check bolt patterns and overall length to be safe.