transmission question?? newbie here, im sorry

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

S

snowteller

10 Year
Joined
Oct 15, 2013
Threads
27
Messages
81
Location
So Cal
hello all,

I have a confessions to make. I am way over my head on this thing. And I haven't even started. I know enough about cars to do a tune up or change an alternator. I can weld some too.

My issue is that I really want a manual transmissions but will be going with a sbc 350. The truck has a th350. I got the original 3 speed but i am worried that it wont be able to handle to power.

ANd I would love to get decent highway speeds 70+ mph without stressing engine.

Im probably asking for too much right?? I saw something like a nv4500 but it seems really pricey? Is there a 4 speed anyone can recommend?

Again im sorry, im a noob i know.

p.s. I go through all the threads and im as confused with "turning knuckles" and other things.
 
Of all the transmissions you discuss, only the NV4500 will give you an overdrive in fifth gear. All other are the same at 1-1 final ratio and won't improve engine stress at highway speeds. Another alternative is a separate overdrive unit behind the transmission, such as the Ranger, which offers a 27% overdrive, i.e. .73-1 final drive ratio. There are a couple of GM automatics, 700r and 4L60, that will also give you a final overdrive ratio and that might be your simplest swap, given where you're starting from.
 
Last edited:
Run the 3-speed tranny. People have been doing it for years. Any v8 should be able to move a 55 at 70mph without being stressed.
 
Corrected my faulty arithmetic on the final drive ratio after installing a Ranger overdrive. Obvious now why I was a liberal arts major. Should have been .73-1 rather than .83-1 as originally stated.
Going to be happy I have a SBC and an overdrive/4spd combo today...the Pig will be towing a 5x8 UHaul full of furniture up to Crested Butte and also come back loaded.
 
with pictures...

thanks for the responses....

What if i use the original 3 speed with a ranger overdrive unit??

Another dumb question.... does the tranny have to be from a 4x4 or can it just be any tranny? If it is a sm465... did it have to come from a 4x4 version of truck??

Last really really dumb question.... on the transmission i have on there now.....is it not supposed to have a second gear selector for the transfer case??

20131214_101848_zpsafc88107.webp


20131214_102028_zps16a55be2.webp


20131214_102001_zpsaa1dae41.webp


20131214_102012_zps1ba91b39.webp
 
with whats in there now....... was it just going to be rwd??

again thanks for the help, just trying to piece everything together before i start seeing what i am going to do

here are a few more pics of what im working with.....again prob going with a sbc 350.

20131213_105135_zps8e88daab.webp


20131213_105141_zps2096e441.webp


20131213_105214_zps78d22240.webp
 
Is that an np203 or 205?. Looks like a 203.

It is a four wheel drive case. It is a full time case. The second lever next to the range lever (the one with the linkage) locks the case into 4wd. Otherwise it is all wheel drive.

Just use that trans and get a doubler kit to a cruiser transfer. It's a great set up. Manuals are for 16 year olds who don't know any better, sports cars and Luddites like Pighead.

Is the rear is still offset?

Lots of cars went 70 with 1:1 top gear in the 60s. They got 4mpg and lasted 80,000 miles, but they did it. Embrace the pig. It is what it is. It takes a real man to do 60 on the highway and not give a fxxx.
 
Last edited:
thanks for the great help....a few more questions...

The picture shows the rear is off set?? is this correct?? Is this a disadvantage??

What is a doubler?? Is that like a ranger over drive??

Thanks for everything, it feels like im in school trying to figure out the puzzle that is the 55.

20131215_122453_zps6fb2da03.webp
 
That is an offset rear. It's what came stock in the 55. It will not work at speed with the np203. It will work with a cruiser case.

A doubler takes the gear reduction box from the np203 and matches it to the cruiser case. You get two low ranges. 2:1 and 4:1. No overdrive.
 
These came with the truck as well.....am i better off using these with a sbc 350??

Again thanks everyone, I never knew it was this complicated.

I might sound dumb but i think If i could add a ranger overdrive to the 3 speed i would do since i drive about 35k miles a year.....any thoughts

20131215_134924_zpsffd9646c.webp


20131215_135103_zps88496cda.webp


20131215_134932_zpsd021d10c.webp
 
Au contraire! (French for male bovine excrement.)
Mine is my only daily driver. Don't put on that many miles annually but wouldn't hesitate with SBC/4spd/overdrive, mild lift and tires, new suspension bushings and shocks, F150 captains chairs and power steering. Even cup holders with the FJ60 console and good tunes with a Sony amp and my IPhone and lots of sound insulation. Who needs a modern land barge, except for maybe the a/c?
Depends on what you build 'em for and how. That's a personal preference. Mine's done 2,500 mi. at one sitting (10 days) to CA, AZ and back, takes me elk hunting and camping and has done some fairly gnarly wheeling, including Rose Garden Hill and Schofield Pass. Cabo and Alaska are on the bucket list.
Onward....
 
Last edited:
Let snow teller drive it that far one year and then report back. He will probably have comments like "the seat heater quit, power steering gave out, a/c was inadequate, ride was too soft and mushy, too quiet in the cabin, gas mileage was off the chain, nothing wore out, and parts were easy to find...."
 
Midgainc said:
Let snow teller drive it that far one year and then report back. He will probably have comments like "the seat heater quit, power steering gave out, a/c was inadequate, ride was too soft and mushy, too quiet in the cabin, gas mileage was off the chain, nothing wore out, and parts were easy to find...."
Click to expand...

Im sorry If im asking too many questions, just as I stated before, the 4x4 is new to me. I dont mind lacking features such as heated seats, ac, power steering. I do it everyday. Im just trying to build something that will be useful to me and my family. MY son and wife love it, my daughter not soo much....yet.

But thanks to everyone for all the help.

Below is my daily driver, she is loud, cold, she smells, and eats up gas like i didnt think it would, but I wouldnt change her.

 
Never say you're sorry, unless you're talking to the IRS or your Mother! :)

I'm putting in AC and power steering, over all the tough as nails stuff. I want to enjoy some comfort, while traveling and camping.

You have a really nice wagon to start with and you will come to an understanding with all the different driveline options as you read the forums. Only you know, truly what you'd like and be happy with.

Best of luck,

Ron
 
My .02 cents. You want simple, cheap and overdrive, your only choice is a 700r4 automatic out of a half ton late 80's early 90's K5 Blazer or suburban. The newer the better, but after 91 the transfer-case drops to the wrong side so you would have to swap it out. 70MPH with out overdrive isn't realistic for the amount of miles you want to do with it plus you'd be rebuilding engines every 3rd year or so. NV4500's are scarce and expensive plus you have to deal with the clutch pedal, slave cylinder and all that stuff. Good luck, I'd say you got a lot of learning ahead of you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom