6cyl and 5 speed

[Phoneman]

Read some old posts about putting a 3550 behind a 200 and was wondering if anyone ever did one and how it turned out. I could use just a hair lower first gear but not as much as a 435 and OD would be nice sometimes even though i'd use 4th gear majority of time. Just curious if its been done yet. Bout to have to pull my tranny to put a clutch in it and it looks like it may have a seal leaking, so was just exploring options

 

[Braddw25]

I have never actually done this swap, but from what I have read about it, you can use the adapters for the V8 NV3350. As far as I know everything is pretty much bolt in, the only change is that it will move your transfer case 2-3 inches back which will require a new hole in the tunnel for the shifters.

 

[broncnaz]

Whole lot of money just to gain a slightly lower first gear. OD is probably going to be useless in anything except down hill rides. Of course if you have 4.56 gears and small tires it may be useable a little.
Straight forward swap for the most part as was said only issue may be a clutch disc. The only people that I remember doing the swap have also swapped in a 250. but I could be mistaken there may be a 200 running around out there with the NV behind it.
You might consider finding a T19 most have a 4-1 first gear. Its pretty much like the np435 just different gearing.

 

[Phoneman]

10-4, how bout a 435, would it be a better option with the 6? I know they are cheaper and I know where one is with the adapters attached.

 

[broncnaz]

the 435 first gear is super low its great for putting around trails. theres a few guys running them behind 6's. like the NV your crossmember location and driveshaft lenghts will change. The T19 has a synconized first gear and its 4-1 so you can actaully shift it easier to 2nd gear than you can a NP435. Some if not all of the np435 adapters will fit a t19 same mods needed for crossmember and driveshafts.

 

[Broncobowsher]

The only I6+NV3550 snag I have found so far is the clutch. I don't know (nor have I really looked that much) for a disk that has the right splines and fits the 10" pressure plate of the Bronco.

 

[Pa PITT]

... My Running Buddy ran a NP435 behind his 200 cid for about 5 years. & I'll say that if you live around some flat ground I think the NV3550 OD would be OK . His had a 4:11 & 33 tires but his never struggled on the Hy=Way. He ran 65 every where he went.
......................................
..... I love that 1st gear in my NP435 for behind my Diesel But you talk about something that could use an OD.

 

[Phoneman]

mine has 4.11 and 33's and it does fine around where I live in the flat country. I feel like I could benefit a little from the OD around here and gain a few mph on my top end. First gear does fine for me on flat ground but on a steep hill take off I have to rev a little more to get her rolling. Thought going from a 3.46 to a 4.00-1 would prob be enough. The nv4500 seems to be the best of both worlds with the real low and OD, but it seems a bit overkill for a 6

 

[broncnaz]

The problem with OD is it takes more power to keep the vehicle moving while in OD. unless you engine is real strong it may not be able to handle the OD. You may not pick up any MPH if your struggling now. As you really already have a OD due to the tire size your running remember broncos came with about 28 in tires. So your 33's already give you a OD. Want to see what even more OD may do? find someone willing to let you try out there 35, 36, or 37 in tires see how it acts in high gear if it cant pull those down the road it will suffer more when actually in OD.
Of course you may consider doing a tranny and a engine swap add a 302 or 351 into the mix and you'll open up a lot of doors.

While your bronco may seem to do fine its less than optimal. You get used to the way it is. Matching parts correctly can make a world of differance.

 

[Phoneman]

I don't see how in the hell they drove em with 28's. They would be wound out at 50 mph. Apparently most people have wore out 6 cylinders because mine is pretty strong. I had a 2000 wrangler 4.0/5 speed/3.08 gears and 32's and my bronco has way more umph than it. I'd hit a hill and have to drop to 3rd and sometimes 2nd. On flat ground though, the od was nice. Everything I've read though is that the clutch issue with the 6 cyl and nv3550. Also from what I gather, other than cost and an extra adapter it requires about same amount of modification as the np435 as far as crossmember and driveshafts. I wish I could change my first gear ratio in my 3 speed and honestly i'd be happy. Don't really need granny, but 4.00 to 1 would be nice

 

[broncnaz]

They were intended to be 4wds not really intended to be hiway vehicles. Your jeep is a good example of improper gearing even with its larger engine and almost 100 more hp and 75ft lbs of torque over your broncos 200. Such a mismtach in gearing sucks down the power fast. The RPM's you run in OD get the engine out of its powerband so down shifting is needed. Your bronco has the advantage due to is 4.11 gearing but still its not going to be much different in OD and will probably struggle. You wont automaticly get mileage or mph increases from a OD tranny. The jeeps 3.08 gearing was probably at its limits with stock sized tires 32's just put in in the under powered range.
Not saying you cant do it its just a lot of money for little to no gain. Yes both the NV or the NP/t19 will require the same mods all said and done. Its just the cost of that NV is going to be way more and most likely require a custom clutch disc. Unless someone knows of a off the shelf one that will fit the NV and the 200.

like I said before borrow some even bigger tires and see how the bronco reacts in 3rd gear. even 37 in tires wont drop the RRPM's as low as you would be with a OD.

 

[Phoneman]

might just throw a clutch and new gaskets on the 3 speed and roll for now. After riding around in uwharrie this weekend I found my little six in 4low could hang with the v8's in anything I would ever want to tackle anyway.

 

[Phoneman]

somehow I missed your t19 recommendation. That might be what I need