A humble request for 4bt to NV4500 knowledge

[23firefly]

After reading all the posts I bought a 1979 Frito Lay P-30 Van with a 4bt for $1,700

Now I'm trying to gather as much information as possible to do this conversion right. I feel lost without Miley's web site to guide me. "If anyone knows where I can find that site/info PLEASE let me know."

So, I Humbly ask all of you 4bt folks for some guidance.

What I need most:
- Info on NV4500 to 4bt matting

I have done a search on Classicbroncos.com but what I'm looking for is lessons learned from the guys who have done this already, and how they would do it differently.

Thank You for any help you can pass to me

 

[Tito]

Shoot a pm to swa0330, he has a 4BT and nv4500 setup in his, he doesnt get on much but should get your pm.

 

[pmctighe]

I am looking at this conversion as well. The nv4500 with a cummings bell housing still needs a conversion plate. If your breadbox came with a chevy trans. you probably can use a chevy nv4500 bell housing. You also need to make sure the splines are correct for input and output.

I hope that helps, if you need something more specific post the question and I'll answer it if I can. Just keep in mind I havn't done the swap just a lot of research and paying attention to relevent posts.

Good luck,

Patrick

 

[23firefly]

Thanks Pat, sounds like we are in the same boat.

My Chevy p-30 does have a manual trans in it. Would be great if I could use the existing bell housing with a Chevy NV4500. I will know more of what splines I have when I pull the old trans.

What Transfer case are you going to use?

 

[treetopflyer]

Guys, Go Here www.4btswaps.com relatively new site with lots of tech and parts info for what you have in mind. NOTE: take the time to SEARCH & READ first. This will help you understand the basics and get you more accurate answers to any questions that you couldn't research... Great Folks, hope to see you there....P.S I have a '69 EB that I've just procured a 4BTA for, so I'm with you on "what fits?" and "how to's?". Good luck!

 

[treetopflyer]

23fire fly: just re-read this post, I see that you also have a 69 EB w/ a NP435. same drivetrain I have. You didn't mention what tranny the engine had/has now (auto, manual, ford, GM). After LOTS of searching on whether to find Dodge NV4500 adapter (cummins' has an adapter that mates the block to the desired transmission bell housing or PTO if it is an industrial application) or a ZF5-S42 or 47. I came up with this. If per chance it has a ford bell housing you're golden! That means you don't have to find the block to B/H adapter ($)Keep the NP435 you have now (if it's still good) because its already adapted to your Dana20 (assumption here) Use your existing B/H, clutch and tranny. Now if you are going to hiway this thing, you need to know that these engines turn slow (2500rpm redline) and the magic RPM's for power/economy & comfort is between 1700 and 2100 sustained (55mph-75mph ), you can spin it faster but you'll always feel like you need to upshift. SO, for less than the price of a NV4500($$)check out advance adapters "Ranger Torque splitter" goes between the B/H and tranny, gives you 27% O.D and you won't have to buy a new Xfer case($$$) or try to adapt you D20 to a NV4500($). Plus I'm working on how to run the factory master & external slave cyl. that came in the bread vans for the clutch! no more direct linkage whose geometry changes and effects clutch engage/disengagement when the frame gets twisted up in rocks or due to the ton of torque this motor makes. PM me if you need more...Doug

 

[AWS]

Miley, got his original swap info and parts from me for the 4b overhaul. Give me a call. 314-966-6692 shop 314-568-5169 cell
Steve Schmittgens aws@msn.com

 

[23firefly]

Steve : I come off duty tomorrow and will be off four days, I hope to get ahold of you. I have alot of questions to ask you. Thank you for lending a hand.


Doug: My 4bt Frito Lay truck was a Chevy and has a 4 speed manual. I will be crawling around it more tomorrow and should be able to ID the tranny. I do have plans to drive my Bronco on the highway so the 5 Speed NV4500 was my first choice. I haven't researched the Ranger spliter that you mentioned but I'm going to look into it right now. Thanks For the Lead!



Thanks for you help guys. I'm going to spend tomorrow crawling around the Frito Lay truck and seeing more of what I'm working with.

Corey

 

[treetopflyer]

23,
if you have a GM tranny you can still go with the O.D. I described. AA can set it up to go with any combo. You can keep the cummins to GM adapter and the GM B/H, flywheel & clutch. Then have the Ranger box configured for GM on the input (B/H side) and then NP435 on the output side. It'll work like a big adapter that also provides overdrive. With my ford B/H and NP435, it is as long if not a little shorter than a NV4500 and I don't have to re-adapt my D20 to a different tranny or go with a Atlas or similar (love to have one but $$$)
Doug