GM NV3500 Transmission

Specifications

The NV3500 transmission is a five-speed, fully synchronized manual gearbox manufactured by New Venture Gear, commonly used in light-to-medium duty 4WD trucks and vans in the 1990s and early 2000s. Built with a two-piece aluminium case with an integrated bellhousing and a top-mounted shifter, the NV3500 is designed to be compact and durable while still relatively. 

It features five forward gears plus an overdrive 5th gear and a reverse gear, with typical gear ratio sets that balance low-end torque and highway cruising: wide-ratio versions often have roughly 4.02:1 in 1st, 2.32:1 in 2nd, 1.40:1 in 3rd, 1.00:1 in 4th, 0.73:1 in 5th and about 3.55:1 in reverse; close-ratio applications shift first gear to about 3.49:1 while keeping the rest similar. 

Compatible Models

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (4×4)

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 from the late 1990s to mid-2000s used the NV3500 4×4 5-speed manual transmission, especially in light-duty V6 and smaller V8 configurations. This GM-specific NV3500 features the correct bellhousing pattern for GM engines and includes the extended output shaft required for 4×4 transfer case fitment. In these trucks, the NV3500 offers smooth shifting, reliable torque handling, and direct bolt-on compatibility when swapping between similar-year GM models, though clutch, flywheel, transfer case, and driveshaft lengths must be properly matched.  

GMC Sierra 1500 (4×4)

The GMC Sierra 1500, sharing its platform with the Silverado, also used in the NV3500 4×4 manual transmissions between the late-1990s to mid-2000s model years. Paired with GM’s V6 and small-block V8 engines, the Sierra’s NV3500 includes the same GM-pattern bellhousing and 4×4 transfer-case-ready output shaft, making it a dependable light-duty manual option. 

Chevrolet S-10 4×4 (4.3L V6 preferred)

The Chevrolet S-10 4×4 especially the ones running the 4.3L V6 pairs well with the NV3500 4×4 transmission. In these trucks, the NV3500 is built just compact enough to fit the S-10’s size while still offering the toughness needed for off-road use. It also matches perfectly with GM’s V6 bellhousing pattern and works smoothly with NP-series transfer cases. In real-world use, it delivers a clean shifter feel, solid durability, and a true bolt-in fit, which is why it remains one of the most reliable and commonly used manual transmission options for 4×4 S-10 owners. 

Chevrolet Blazer 4×4

The Chevrolet Blazer 4×4 offers different engine options depending on the generation. In the modern Blazer (2019–2025), buyers can choose between a 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 engine producing around 228 hp or a stronger 3.6L V6 delivering about 308 hp, both paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and available with an AWD/4×4-style system. In contrast, the older classic Chevrolet Blazer 4×4 from the late 1990s to early 2000s typically came equipped with the durable 4.3L Vortec V6, known for its reliability and strong low-end torque, paired with a traditional transfer-case-based 4×4 system.

Frequently Asked Questions