Need msmts. on tunnel cut out for NP435 swap

[raleigh_bronco]

Someone here has the measurements on where to cut the transmission tunnel to fit the NP435. Would you mind giving me a link to this information or post it in this thread?

 

[68 Broncoholic]

I don't have a link or measurements but all I did was cut out the top where I knew the stick when thru the tunnel. I also cut further back to take out the body reinforcement.This gives plenty of movement to get it installed. Once its in I welded the reinforcement back in to keep the body strong.
What T-case will you be running? I use the NP205 but this requires a custom cross brace but its much stronger than the D20 but isn't as low geared as the D20. I like the strength so I went with the 205 and added 5:89 gears to make up for it. ;D

 

[BUCKETOBOLTS]

If you have a body lift you won't have to make as big of a hole. I first installed my NP without having a body lift. The top of the shifter tower sticks up above the floor so the hole needs to be long enough to allow you to start the input shaft in to the bell housing. I cut almost all of the flat part of the top of the tunnel to make room to install it. Then I made a removable cover plate out of alunimium. Then after I added the body lift it really gave the tranny a lot more clearance on the top side. I'm going to keep the access panel for when I have to remove the tranny again. I plan on using my engine hoist thru the pass door to lower it down and out. It's a heavy be-atch to man handle in and out.

 

[raleigh_bronco]

Hey Bucket, I would like to see any pics you have of the cuts you had to make initially and also any of new cover you fab'ed. I don't have any body lift either so I'm going to go the same route as you. Thanks.

 

[BUCKETOBOLTS]

Here is a pic of the tunnel cover. I left a 1" lip all the way around the edge for support and went 3.5-4" up the angled part. I don't think you could get the tranny in with a smaller hole and not a body lift. It is massive and as I said before very heavy to handle by yourself. BTW never mind the dirt nasty interior. I plan on redoing the cover to mount a CB and make a console when I replace the floor pans this winter.

 

[crawln68]

Here is a picture of what I cut out. I have a 2 inch body lift so I didn't need to cut very much. Hope this helps.

 

[raleigh_bronco]

these pics really help me determine where to start cutting. one more question, does the tranny sit in the center of the tunnel cover or is it sitting closer to the drivers side... by the pics it looks like it is closer to the driver side but it could be an illusion.

 

[raleigh_bronco]

Bump.

I'm guessing about 2" off center towards the drivers side ?:?

 

[raleigh_bronco]

I found the answer to my question over at Pirate and will post it here for future reference because one of you will need it someday. ;D


Use the line in the transmission tunnel where the floor changes from flat and slants up towards the firewall as your reference point for marking the hole that needs to be cut. The hole needs to extend up from that line approximately 4 inches and it needs to extend back from that line approximately 6.5 inches. It can exceed those measurements if desired, but must be at least those measurements. It needs to be approximately 8.75 inches wide centered on the transmission tunnel. (Some transmission kits come with a cover plate for the floor. If you have such a kit you can use that plate as a template. If using a cover plate as a template be sure to leave enough metal under the edges of the plate to enable you to screw it to the floor).