Still intrest in SM420 Adapters?

72rockcruiser · 07-01-09, 05:46 PM

Spoke with Steven @ Extreme Bends today as I was ready to buy an adapter to mate my 3spd case to an SM420 (going in my 88FJ62). I bought one from him before for my 72 FJ40 and it worked great and he was very helpfull. Well, he stated that he was out of adapter plates and was not sure of the demand. He needs to make a bunch at a time in order to keep his costs low and keep his prices affordable to us.

People are still doing 420's correct?

Can some of you guys please post up if you would still like to see these made and/or plan to purchase one at some point?

Thanks!

Kyle

yotawheeler · 07-01-09, 10:50 PM

there dont seem to be as many SM 420's around any more....and if you can find one good luck finding the 3 spd bellhousing to mate it up to your cruiser stuff...i searched and looked for a long time before i found my trans and x case...already bought my plate but i think that the 420 is kinda dying out just because everything is so old and its getting harder to find the used parts you need for the swap

Pin_Head · 07-02-09, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yotawheeler

i think that the 420 is kinda dying out just because everything is so old and its getting harder to find the used parts you need for the swap

While there is some truth to this, people have been saying this for 20 years and there are still NOS 420s out there.

Cruiserdrew · 07-02-09, 01:32 AM

The SM420 conversion is by far the best bang for buck conversion out there. Mine was rebuilt by Warden's in 2002 and has been flawless since then. I still see SM420s come up, and often for $50-$75.

With that said, there do seem to be a lot more SM465's out there, but most of them are 35 spline, which is kind of hard to work with in an FJ40.

Having both an SM420 and an SM465 in my stable, I think the SM465 is a better box by a small margin, it's just that the useful 10 spline version is a lttle hard to come by. Whereas all SM420s have that key feature. Plus, the SM420s are 50 pounds lighter and almost 2 inches shorter. The biggest advantage of an SM465 in a Land Cruiser application is the lack of a reverse hump on the passenger side. It makes drive shaft choices much easier.

Anyway, I hope they keep making the adapter. It's a great, great bullet proof tranny from GM's heyday, and deserves to remain in service. I keep hearing about the NOS ones-that would be a great option.

72rockcruiser · 07-21-09, 09:27 AM

UP^^^^^

Ron B · 07-21-09, 11:18 AM

Which is better, a 420 or a 465? why?

LC_Hamma · 07-21-09, 11:24 AM

That seems to be the #1 mod *most off roaders do to their 40's. The plate adaptor is cheaper than the AA kit & will let you have the longer rear driveshaft. I run an SM420 plate on the 40 & an SM420 AA kit on the :Pig: If I would do it again, I'd run a plate on the

but I already had the AA kit. There's ALWAYS someone looking for an SM420 adaptor in the Parts Wanted section.

wbb72fj40 · 07-21-09, 11:55 AM

i AM LOOKING FOR A SM420 TO DO A SWAP RIGHT NOW AND WILL NEED A PLATE. IT SEEMS AS IF THE SCRAP GETTING HIGH PUT A DENT IN THE SUPPLY OF THESE BUT I DON'T THINK IT WILL BE THAT HARED TO FIND ONE. ONCE I PUT MY MIND TO IT. THEY CAME IN EVERY THING FROM 1/2 TON TRUCKS TO SCHOOL BUSES. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ IT SEEMS TO BE THE SIMPIEST CONVERSION TO ACHEVIE A CRAWL. SO I GUESS I NEED TO FIND ONE BEFORE EVERY ONE QUITS MAKING THE PLATES.

72rockcruiser · 07-21-09, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wbb72fj40

i AM LOOKING FOR A SM420 TO DO A SWAP RIGHT NOW AND WILL NEED A PLATE. IT SEEMS AS IF THE S**** GETTING HIGH PUT A DENT IN THE SUPPLY OF THESE BUT I DON'T THINK IT WILL BE THAT HARED TO FIND ONE. ONCE I PUT MY MIND TO IT. THEY CAME IN EVERY THING FROM 1/2 TON TRUCKS TO SCHOOL BUSES. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ IT SEEMS TO BE THE SIMPIEST CONVERSION TO ACHEVIE A CRAWL. SO I GUESS I NEED TO FIND ONE BEFORE EVERY ONE QUITS MAKING THE PLATES.

Stop yelling.

420's are still easy to find. Junkyards with old trucks, 4x4 bulletin boards (like this one) and craigslist are your best bets.

The adapter, not so much, I have my trans and tcase on the floor ready to go, and my project stalled untill I get an adapter.

Mud_Guppie · 08-31-09, 10:30 PM

the aluminum has arrived. The finished nose cone kits and plates should be in stock shortly

Poser · 08-31-09, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mud_Guppie

The finished nose cone kits

What is a finished nose cone kit?

Mud_Guppie · 08-31-09, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poser

What is a finished nose cone kit?

the 3 pcs to mate a SM420 to the F bell housing

mminter1973 · 09-01-09, 06:47 AM

I love my 420/3spd setup with wardens plate adapter. 420s are easy to find, old junkyards, old schoolbuses, dumptrucks, etc...

IMO 420s are usually in better shape than 465s because when they were made (1950's-early sixties) people drove slower and took better care of stuff (smaller engines too). When 465s started showing up it they were putting 454s in front of them and a lot of folks just purely destroyed them trying to speed shift and such. But their are still good ones out there though, i have a few myself!!

72rockcruiser · 01-15-10, 06:11 AM

These are now back in stock if anyone needs one.

I am ordering mine today!

vk7ybi · 01-15-10, 09:49 AM

I wonder what the 420 was in, in Australia?

slickrock · 01-15-10, 09:51 AM

Yes I will need one within the 2010 year.

Cruiserdrew · 01-15-10, 10:32 AM

I saw a fresh rebuilt SM420 (ribbed case) on the Sacramento Craigs list today. I think it was listed as "Chevy transmission". The guy wanted $200, said he'd take best offer.

That's nice that the adapters are again available. That makes it a very cost effective mod.

jsuthey · 01-16-10, 08:15 AM

Andy,I am still looking for a 420.This one sounds like a good deal.Do you mind sending me the info or contacting the guy.I don't have time today off to work,thanks,John

Downey · 01-16-10, 11:11 AM

(1) I'm going to the Pomona swap meet tomorrow, I'll probably see atleast 4 or 5 SM420's for sale, but won't buy any of them. Do you have any idea how hard it is to drag my wagon about a mile back to the parking lot when it's full of SM420's? My point is that SM420's are laying around all over the Pomona swap meet AND several behind every barn and auto parts store from Los Angeles to the Oregon border.
(2) Complete rebuild kits (including all the bearings) are still available for the SM420.
(3) When I closed Downey, and AA bought many of my adapter patterns/molds, I gave them drawings for a new 5/8" thick SM420 adapter that we had never put on the market. I don't know if AA will bring this product to market, but what they liked about the design was, unlike other thin adapters already on the market, with this adapter the transfer-case input gear got "ALL THE WAY" onto the SM420 output shaft (fully seated).