Need options with a SM420 install--trying to retain my 40 series PTO winch

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vtcruiser60

vtcruiser60

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I have a fair amount of time spent on getting a PTO winch installed on my truck, including a bit of custom exhaust work. As I move to a low gear set up, I would like to retain that PTO winch. What are my options....

After searching, I see four or so options:

A. Extreme bends adapter setup (approx $375 shipped)--implications: I lose my stock PTO
set up as the adapter plate eats into the pto gear, apparently.

B. Advanced adapter set up ($550 shipped)--implications: More money than EBI, retain stock pto.

C. OTT industries set up ($500 shipped) --implications: $$, not clear if I can retain my PTO.

D. Buy a used 2.75 inch Advanced Adapter first gen adapter plate ($250) from a contact on the board: implications: retain my stock PTO set up and save some cash (that I don't
have).

E. Get the SM420 home and wait for the right price on adapter plates to show up.
Implication: My tub will be installed and new transmission installation will be harder. I'll be on my back installing a transmission and t-case, potentially upside down modifying crossmembers, etc.

I am leaning towards option D.

What do you see?
 
Like landcruisergod said, you forgot option F.

PTO boxes for SM420's are not that hard to find. When I was first looking into my SM420 swap 5 years ago and was still enamored with the PTO winches, I found a company that would still make a PTO box for an SM420 to order. You pick rotation, shift mechanism, ratios, F/R/both outputs etc. Pretty slick but $$$. There is of course the junkyard option as well.


All that said, if I were in your shoes, I would snap up LC Hamma's adapter quick.
 
CruisinGA said:
Like landcruisergod said, you forgot option F.

PTO boxes for SM420's are not that hard to find. When I was first looking into my SM420 swap 5 years ago and was still enamored with the PTO winches, I found a company that would still make a PTO box for an SM420 to order. You pick rotation, shift mechanism, ratios, F/R/both outputs etc. Pretty slick but $$$. There is of course the junkyard option as well.


All that said, if I were in your shoes, I would snap up LC Hamma's adapter quick.
Click to expand...

In Hoc brother......I am very tempted indeed and have been in touch with him. I am waiting on two replies from friends that can hook me with a 3spd case.
 
pretty much all the us pto boxes are the same almost any military truck with a winch has a pto unit .they come in 2 speed ,even a double pto so you could run a front and rear winch seperately .they all bolt to the side of the 4 speed.and you can run them seperate or use the tires for extra help by putting the tranny in gear usually 1st or second.and all the fittings can be bought from a local tractor dealer to adapt to the cruiser shaft .good luck
 
The 420 PTOs seem pretty plentiful and cheap. I would go that route and the shortest adapter I could find. I believe the AA units tend to be long with a spud shaft.
 
shelfboy1 said:
pretty much all the us pto boxes are the same almost any military truck with a winch has a pto unit .they come in 2 speed ,even a double pto so you could run a front and rear winch seperately .they all bolt to the side of the 4 speed.and you can run them seperate or use the tires for extra help by putting the tranny in gear usually 1st or second.and all the fittings can be bought from a local tractor dealer to adapt to the cruiser shaft .good luck
Click to expand...

So...I am going try and mate a PTO to my new SM420 and run my toyota winch. This is the best option and most practical on the wallet.

But....help me source the right PTO. From what various folks are saying almost any pto will work, but that doesn't sound right. Am I looking for a chevy or muncie PTO? Anyone have any specific sources in mind?
 
well, I have one I could sell but Im not sure if its worth it to ship accross the boarder. Landcrusiergod1 posted earlier that he had one too.
 
FLYINGLOW said:
well, I have one I could sell but Im not sure if its worth it to ship accross the boarder. Landcrusiergod1 posted earlier that he had one too.
Click to expand...

Landcruisergod1......couldn't locate his pto in the shop. So...I am searching for another unit. If you have one to sell please hit me with a pm and your price..
 
chevy ptos should all be the same .the gaskets come in different thicknesses for spacing .if you put the pto on and it howls you will need to space it but this is rare .check out dump trucks old tow trucks or a local military surplus dealer.if all else fails i see them on ebay and they should fit in a flat rate box good luck
 
vtcruiser60 said:
So...I am going try and mate a PTO to my new SM420 and run my toyota winch. This is the best option and most practical on the wallet.

But....help me source the right PTO. From what various folks are saying almost any pto will work, but that doesn't sound right. Am I looking for a chevy or muncie PTO? Anyone have any specific sources in mind?
Click to expand...

I am looking for a more local buyer for mine, but if you want to work it out, my PTO is attached to a SM420 with a 350 in front.
 
I may be wrong, but I thought Transmission driven PTOs only have 1 speed, and you don't have reverse. I am currently running a PTO winch off my NP205 and it works great.
 
70CRZR said:
I may be wrong, but I thought Transmission driven PTOs only have 1 speed, and you don't have reverse. I am currently running a PTO winch off my NP205 and it works great.
Click to expand...
most only have 1 speed and they are for dump trucks or salt spreaders .there are several other styles some are double and can run a front or rear winch.my 6x6 is a 1 speed but has forward and reverse.i have 1 off a civil defense truck that has forward,reverse ,high and low speed .these are much bigger and may not fit between the tranny and frame .ptos are standardized pretty much .i once put a chevy pto on my 42 dodge weapons carrier .some times i forget we have all this crap laying around and i have time to play good luck
 
shelfboy1 said:
most only have 1 speed and they are for dump trucks or salt spreaders .there are several other styles some are double and can run a front or rear winch.my 6x6 is a 1 speed but has forward and reverse.i have 1 off a civil defense truck that has forward,reverse ,high and low speed .these are much bigger and may not fit between the tranny and frame .ptos are standardized pretty much .i once put a chevy pto on my 42 dodge weapons carrier .some times i forget we have all this crap laying around and i have time to play good luck
Click to expand...


For those following, I just want to summarize some of the nouns you used above:

1. civil defense truck
2. weapons carrier
3. 6 x 6

I think that covers it. Clearly you are ready for the pending Canadian invasion. :)
 
More seriously, I am finding it really hard to source a SM420 pto. At the outset, I must say, I have really good connections to parts carriers. I have never had a hard time sourcing cruiser parts. But, I have been on the phone with Muncie and Chelsea nationally, and they can't even source a part number for their old stuff. For sure, they are not supporting these old parts any longer. I have emails out to military parts sources in Florida, Michigan, New York and Vermont....and all of them are coming up dry.

There are muncie and chevy pto's listed on ebay all the time, but without a part number its foolish to bid on them. I have learned that the SM465 pto will not fit the SM420.

There is a common refrain among some of the transmission shops I have contacted however. Each has said, in their own way, that workign with the SM420 may be expensive in the long run. If the tranny fails, there simply are no new parts available. Yes, they can get bearing and gasket kits, but not gears. I think only the first gear is still readily available. Clearly the SM465 is preferred now, with more parts more widely available.
 
none are for sale sorry. i have several ptos from lots of trucks and they all have the same bolt patern and have interchanged several with no problems .try sam winer motors in akron ohio ww2 ton and a half chevies had pto winches and i believe the sm 420 tranny .geuss i need to get out more live in the past to much good luck
 
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