NP435 w/o body lift

[kbldawg]

Anybody got pics of their NP435 install that's not running a body lift?

I'm interested in what the inside tunnel area looks like.

 

[Madgyver]

It's tight... I did it at first and realized later how much you'll appreciate a small 1" BL when you need to work under the tunnel.

 

[bludorbronc]

I had to cut the top of the tunnel off and some of the forward slope going up toward the firewall,It comes up rite under the heater. When you cut the top off leave about 1/2 inch on the side towards the back seat so there is something to screw your cover to. When you use the torch to bend the shifter it has to be bent rite as it comes out of the tower and you mite have to clearance the bottom of the heater. I used a HURST SUPER SHIFTER boot to cover the tower once the steel cover was made. While I was at it I cut down the driver side of the tunnel to allow easier access to the transfer case shifter. I made my cover out of 1/8 steel and it went across the top and down both sides and I used nut zerts on the body floor braces to try to tie the braces back together. A little work but worth it.

 

[Buldozer]

Chad you will likely have to cut the entire tunnel top out and about an inch of the firewall. Might want to consider a 2" body lift so you only have to cut out a hole large enough for the neck of the tranny.

 

[Landho]

Pretty big hole, fully installed the NP435 is wedge against the underside of the tunnel in a few spots. I have 1" Billet BL from BC Broncos that I plan to install when I get a new tub.

Loads more pics if you feel like digging through My Gallery

 

[73bronco]

I did on mine. It really is not that bad. I cut almost the entire top of my tunnel but made a nice cover for it that includes cup holders! Once you cut the hole there is plenty of room to play around the top of the trans. with the cover out of the way.

 

[kbldawg]

Thanks guys, this is great stuff.

I'm currently in the middle of a huge snowball and flying off of a cliff.

I'm trying to do an engine swap, then I figured I better do my tranny while I'm at it, now it looks like a body lift and no telling what all just to do that. %)

Mad, you got any pics of your install? You're not running a BL, right?

Anybody got pics of 1" body lift and NP435?

 

[1WILD69]

I was running a 435 without a body lift. It is tight! Although I dont think I have any pics of it. I can try and get some of the tunnel where I had to cut. With the new build I did not use that section of the body.

 

[Buldozer]

Did you find a NP435 Chad?

 

[kbldawg]

Did you find a NP435 Chad?

Sure did. I got a response from Kyle in Ozark, AR. He had bought a "parts bronco" a while back and it had the complete setup, so...we struck a deal.

I'm gonna crack her open and see what it looks like. I may clean it up and paint today too.

 

[Madgyver]

Mad, you got any pics of your install? You're not running a BL, right?

Anybody got pics of 1" body lift and NP435?

I have a 1" bodylift and in these pics you will see how close it is in the tunnel.
Without the lift more cutting/clearancing would be needed.

 

[kbldawg]

That looks great Mad! Did you make the tunnel cover or did you buy it?

I think my fantasy of running with no BL is over, looks like I'll be ordering the WH 1" lift soon.

I didn't want to have to totally destroy the tunnel because eventually I'll be going with a ZF.

 

[Madgyver]

That looks great Mad! Did you make the tunnel cover or did you buy it?

You know that I'll build everything if I can and have the time to. Yes, it is on that I built.

Did you know that the NP435 is near bulletproof compared the the aluminum case ZF..

 

[kbldawg]

You know that I'll build everything if I can and have the time to. Yes, it is on that I built.

Did you know that the NP435 is near bulletproof compared the the aluminum case ZF..

You did a great job.

I knew that they were both very stout trannies, but I had not really compared the two for strength. I am more after the overdrive gear than the difference in strength.

 

[Buldozer]

You should not need overdrive with the NP435 as long as you don't gear the axles lower than 4.10.

 

[bigmuddy]

To late for that I believe Chads rig has 4.56 gears.

Ben

 

[kbldawg]

Yes, 4.56 gears. Overdrive would be nice.

 

[Buldozer]

What tire is he running Ben?

 

[kbldawg]

What tire is he running Ben?

35s Rick. Someday, maybe 37s

 

[Buldozer]

I am sure you have seen this calculator, it is very close IMO.

http://web.archive.org/web/20050204061805/home.comcast.net/~jcmiley/bronco+gears.html

I think even with 35's you don't need the ZF unless you want to run 100 MPH. My expereince is that these small blocks don't create the max hp at low RPM. With the 35's the 435 and ZF at 60 MPH are running 2600 & 2000 RPM respectively. With 37's you are talking 2500 & 1900 RPM respectively. I could argue that the ZF is too high geared. I have 37.72" tires on my rig with 4:10s and I think it is perfect....that is 2200 RPM at 60 MPH.