How long does it take a RAT to die?

[boatbldr]

I first noticed about 2 weeks ago I had trouble downshifting from 3-2. It has been intermittant. Today I could hardly get<br>it into 2nd at all. I've got a hurst floor shifter that's always been wonky, but could always get it into gear.<br>I'm sure it's not the clutch cause it goes fine into every other gear. Does this transmission die this fast, or is it something<br>I haven't thought of. I can get a used NP435 for $175, but I still need the kit, and times are tough. Did this<br>tranny die this fast?<br>Kent<br>

 

[JMurray]

Bite the bullet man, NP is a whole lot better. <br>Jerry

 

[desertrat302]

Whew,I thought you were talking about me for a second there <br>My RAT 3 speed is still holding up after 140K.If you have to dump money in the tranny anyway,just get the 435,thats what I'm going to do when mine craps out.<br>You might be able to save some money by going with the 6 cylinder adapter,instead of the pricey Advanced Adapters piece.<br>Try the links,If I remember right,Bob Sanders has a good write up on this.<br>Good luck,Rat (rethinking my screen name) ;D<br>

 

[ryansbronco]

I had a Rat When i got the bronco. The previous owner hooked it in. It was in for 23years. I just sold it today. It would be cheaper to go get it rebuild. <br>On the NP check E-bay I got mine for $75 but i had to go buy the kit from www.tomsbroncoparts.net

 

[67halfcab]

Spend your money on the Np435. You'll thank yourself later when you use the Granny low wheeling.

 

[boatbldr]

Thanks for the replys. The RAT will take at least $150 to rebuild, if I put that toward an np435 it makes it a lot cheaper.<br>I'm still gonna check the linkage to make sure nothing is bent, but I really will just park it for a while and save my pennies<br>for the NP. If there are any other ideas, keep 'em coming.<br>Kent

 

[hackyrat]

My rat has 245,000 on it. I also have the Hurst linkage. I was having trouble shifting as well and found the Hurst fasteners coming loose letting a bolt head interfere with shifting. Take the boot off and see if you can tighten up the bolts. Maybe you will get lucky.

 

[Hnrys69]

Same happened to me... Its gonna get worse fast, then get stuck in gear and not come out... Get workin on that trans swap soon.

 

[jerry74explorer]

I have a three speed you could have free if you pick up the shipping, only catch is that I don't know what the condition of it is. I just had it in a parts truck that I took apart. Also don't know what it weights. But its yours if you want it.<br>Jerry

 

[supermottl]

[quote author=Bones link=board=5;threadid=8900;start=0#63608 date=1031622467]<br>I had a Rat When i got the bronco. The previous owner hooked it in. It was in for 23years. I just sold it today. It would be cheaper to go get it rebuild. <br>On the NP check E-bay I got mine for $75 but i had to go buy the kit from www.tomsbroncoparts.net <br>[/quote]<br><br>OMG!! $75 bucks! crap man, I just looked on ebaowwww, and didn't see a top loader for less than $200!!! Is the top loader more, generally?

 

[67halfcab]

The amount of poison the RAT eats will determine how long it takes to Die. ;D ;D ;D

 

[randall]

ive had my bronco for about three years and my second rat is goin out now, its usually second gear that goes out, mine has been kickin out of second lately, you can go to the 435 if you want to stay with the manual, and keep it really strong, but if you dont mind an auto you can typically get into a c4 for less than the np435. Thats what im in the process of right now. good luck

 

[jeff71sport]

the stock 3 speed should hold up fine as long as your not heavy wheelin or rock crawlin