Made decent progress over the weekend. Got the late NV4500 disassembled far enough to get the new 5th gear installed. The even with the correct spanner socket, removing the rear dampener was defiantly the biggest problem and the hardest part of the job. Got the new gear on and the transmission reassembled. I disconnected the wiring, pulled the driveshaft, carpet, seats, etcetera to be able to pull the transmission. I removed the transfer case, transmission, and clutch. Had to change the pilot bushing out. I converted the clutch actuator from external to internal, reusing the existing master cylinder but replacing the line set to the new style. I installed the new clutch and transmission and got the transfer case back on. Got the clutch bled. Attached are some photos.
I did some other odds and ends stuff to the vehicle along the way. Spent forever trying to find o-rings and copper washers for the oil filter adapter locally, why does nobody stock anything locally anymore? The cold garage was a damper to my productivity, but I got most of what I wanted done this weekend. I hope between evenings this week and next weekend to finish the outstanding items and to begin daily driving the vehicle again starting next Monday.
