Tranny Swap ... not a wife swap on ABC

[TrustyRusty]

dudes, i have the NP435 and i'm tired on it bcuz it ain't working for what i need. so, i been reading about the NVs --> i need more easy driveability in town and more range of gears for freeway (truck spends less time on trails than in gridlock). i see kits for $2000-$2700, is this fair? also, what's the difference between the nv35 and nv 45?

anyone done this, got any thoughts? where's best place to buy kit, any wrenches in MD/VA for the install? (would prefer new/refurb. parts, and a professional install).

i'm not opposed to the c4, just want more gears ... is there another auto tranny that will match well with my 302 and transfer case?

thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Broncass]

well i just installed a rebuilt nv3550 to my 302. i bought it from a guy in Indiana, he put all the adapters on and sent the tranny to me. the 35 is not quite as tough as the 45 of course but the nice thing with the 35 is its close to stock length and with the adapters it bolts right to the stock dana 20. only requires a 1 inch body lift. the nv 45 is a more rought tough off road tranny, so it alll what ur looking for. i know on my 35 there was minor griding to the input shaft but thats expected.

 

[grauerfam]

I'm in Md and working on the nv3550 swap. PM or e-mail me; grauerfam@verizon.net if you'd like to get together. Larry

 

[va bronco]

ZF Tranny

You could look for the Ford ZF transmission. It bolts right up to the 302 since it is a FORD. You will have to adapt to the Dana 20 or use what came factory with the ZF. I think it came out with a Borg-Warner t-case?

 

[slcpunk]

isnt the nv3500 only rated at like 300ft/lbs

wouldnt a mild 302 and a bronc with bigger tires(32"+) crush it?

I really dont know... any input?

 

[bandit]

A NV3550,is a strong tranny,it differs from a NV4500,in that a 3550,is much sportier,smoother,shifting than a 4500.A 3550 is much more pleasurable to drive.If you are going to go hard core wheeling,with low gears and giant tires,you'll probably break less with a 4500.I had a 3550 in my last '77,and I loved it,had it in Moab,several times,never broke,failed,or fried a clutch.
BANDIT

 

[SaddleUp]

You could look for the Ford ZF transmission. It bolts right up to the 302 since it is a FORD. You will have to adapt to the Dana 20 or use what came factory with the ZF. I think it came out with a Borg-Warner t-case?

The Borg Warner case doesn't fit between the EB frame without some cutting. The NP 205 will bolt right up to it if it is a 4WD tranny though and it will barely squeeze up between the fram rails.

 

[slcpunk]

I would like to build a bronco with a pretty beafy 5.0 efi(around 350 hp/350ft/lb) and 5.5" lift with 35s... would an nv3500 stand up to daily driving,and the once to twice a month I would go screw around on the hills and wheel a bit?

also if I did a zf would it be wise to do a 205 instead of doing a d20 conversion?

 

[SaddleUp]

I would like to build a bronco with a pretty beafy 5.0 efi(around 350 hp/350ft/lb) and 5.5" lift with 35s... would an nv3500 stand up to daily driving,and the once to twice a month I would go screw around on the hills and wheel a bit?

also if I did a zf would it be wise to do a 205 instead of doing a d20 conversion?

The NP 205 is a good choice because it is bulletproof where the Dana 20 isn't and doesn't need a special adapter. It isn't always the best choice though because the Dana 20 has a lower gear for low range. (1.98 vs. 2.46) Many of us running the NP205 do a 203/205 (NP203 range box adapted to a NP205) doubler which can be done for about the same cost as the ZF/D20 adapter and it puts the low/low gear at about 4:1 plus the combination is as strong as your going to get. I run mine behind a C6 but I know there are one or two others here using the doubler behind a ZF.

 

[jagscars]

Have you considered a aod auto?If you find the right one,it will already have the low 1st gear setup.

 

[trailpsycho]

The NV3550 is rated at 310 ft/lbs of torque at a GVW of 7,200 lbs. I dont think you will have a problem in a 3500-4500 lb bronco. People are running the NV3550 behind strokers (347s and 393s) and I have not heard of anyone breaking one.

The guy that got his rebuild from the guy in IN; well, the guy in IN who rebuilds the NV3550 and NV4500s (T-18s, T19s, NP435s, etc and ALOT of Jeep stuff, but dont hold it againtst him) is Jim Clark, he is a great guy, an AA dealer and can get you a great deal on a set-up...his number is 317-753-8889. Tell him John sent you.

When I was in his shop comparing the NV4500 and NV3550 trying to decide what I wanted. He showed me the internals for both trannys. He showed me the countershafts for several other trannies too. The countershaft on an NV3550 is minimally smaller than the NV4500, which makes it very strong. This is a very popular tranny these days, so you can wait and see how many people have problems over the next year or two I suppose. The ZF is a Ford option, but it is huge and heavy...an NV4500 would be my next choice after the NV3550 as it is a bit more compact with very similar gearing and possibly better strength to the ZF.

My guess is, since you dont like the NP435, is that you wont like the ZF or the 4500 either. I am guessing that you are tired of the granny low first (5.5-6.5:1) and the stock 1st gear 3spd gearing of 2nd gear @ 3:1. A ZF or NV4500, while beefy almost mimic the gearing of the stock 3spd but add the lower granny gear and the deep OD. For most people thats ideal. I never REALLY had a problem with my 3 spd...but I did want better in town driveability. This is a go-pony...I wanted quicker shifts, overdrive and a little bit lower first gear...so I opted for the NV3550....1st (4:1), 2nd (2.3:1), 3rd (1.4:1) and and 5th of (0.78:1)... I have not been dissappointed. I would like to install an aftermarket shift tower/shifter, though. Good luck with your choices.

John

 

[racebronco]

I love my NV4500, got it about 6 years ago.. make sure U get the dodge version, the chevy version won't fit (I found out the hard & expensive way), adapters are around $660, plus U need a different clutch, throwout bearing & tranny mount.. the only disadvantage for me was it hangs down about 4 inches lower than my stock 3 speed, might not hang down any more than yours though.. I love having a low gear & the overdrive.. good luck with your swap..

 

[daj]

Did You see Crazy Horse on trucks? If the NV35 was good enough for it, I'm shure it will be fine for you. In Bronco Tech there is a ZF install that I am going to try. It is out of a two wheel drive. I got my trans for $600 Canadian.I'm not to shure about a trans mount, it looks like he mounted his solid. Making your own adapter is an inexpencive way to go. Dwayne

 

[trailpsycho]

DAJ-

I dont know whether or not you have talked to the guy who wrote the "tech article" about the 2WD ZF. I considered it, found a 2wd ZF, but then decided against it simply b/c that tranny swap has never seen pavement to the best of my knowledge. I havent heard him come back and verify that he ever got it on the road. I am not a mechanical engineer, but several others here have agreed that that method is not a sound way to have a long-term dependable transmission conversion. I would seriously reconsider your plans and do it right the first time, lest you have to do it all over again then some, plus the collateral damage that could ensue. Anyway, didnt know if you knew it IS NOT/WAS NOT a proven conversion...so now you do. Sorry to pooop on your plans. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

John

 

[SaddleUp]

Did You see Crazy Horse on trucks? If the NV35 was good enough for it, I'm shure it will be fine for you. In Bronco Tech there is a ZF install that I am going to try. It is out of a two wheel drive. I got my trans for $600 Canadian.I'm not to shure about a trans mount, it looks like he mounted his solid. Making your own adapter is an inexpencive way to go. Dwayne

As mentioned above as far as anyone knows that 2WD ZF has never seen any pavement and it was very irresponsible of the person that wrote it to do so without making sure it would work first. This is also one of the gripes I have with Bronco Driver because they actually published it. If they had read through it and actually thought about it there is no way that setup would be reliable. (I know they can't verify every tech article but they should be able to at least spot ones that obviously are questionable) It is essentially a divorced transfer case setup except that there is no joint between them to allow for flex in the drivetrain. (Which will cause it to eat the bearings at each end) Even worse is that he welded two shafts together and anyone that is serious about 4 wheeling knows that isn't going to hold up for very long. Chance are that if you do try it then you will be the guinnee pig for it since no one else (that I know of) has wanted to take the chance. (It's only going to be cheap if it works, if not then it will cost a lot more than doing it right in the first place would)

 

[daj]

DAJ-

I dont know whether or not you have talked to the guy who wrote the "tech article" about the 2WD ZF. I considered it, found a 2wd ZF, but then decided against it simply b/c that tranny swap has never seen pavement to the best of my knowledge. I havent heard him come back and verify that he ever got it on the road. I am not a mechanical engineer, but several others here have agreed that that method is not a sound way to have a long-term dependable transmission conversion. I would seriously reconsider your plans and do it right the first time, lest you have to do it all over again then some, plus the collateral damage that could ensue. Anyway, didnt know if you knew it IS NOT/WAS NOT a proven conversion...so now you do. Sorry to pooop on your plans. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

John

I HAVE TRYED TO CONTACT THE AUTHOR,BUT NO COME BACK. I HAVENT CUT ANYTHING YET AND COULDN'T SEE HOW IT WOULD STAY TOGETHER MOUNTED SOLID AND THE MOTOR ON MOTOR MOUNTS. SOMETING HAS TO FLEX. THANKS FOR THE WARNING, BUT IT DID SOUND GOOD!