What drivetrain to run?

[lingo]

Now that I have scrapped the 40 trail rig for my new pig, I have some thinking to do on what I should run. AT the house I have a SM465 (2WD), 4sp tranny and case, and a 3sp tranny and case. I had plans to put a toybox in the 40 and that is still the route that I am leaning towards. In a couple of weeks I will have my 383 stroker back from the engine builder. It is going SOA. Any recommendations from those who are running simmilar setups would be greatly appreciated. Pics will follow once I get started.

mike

 

[nat]

My piggie is getting a 350, NV4500, and split toyota T/C. I have a 70 series full floater in the back with an ARB. I am hoping this setup will work as my daily driver and as my expedition/camping vehicle.

 

[Wayneraintree]

I run a tbi 350, sm465, "3-speed" case and it works very well, I think 64:1 is the final low..... it is basically a 3-speed tranny on the road... I recommend it as cheap way to have a reliable and good offroad set-up... I am also SOA so I can appreciate the gearing in terms of control on the trails...

 

[lingo]

That would definantly be the cheaper way to go for now. And I could add a toybox later if I went that route. I would just have to swap out the cone on my 3spd. I guess I have some work to do this weekend

 

[tonkota]

I will be using a SBC/SM465/NP205 and modified rear housing to have a centered diff. SOA too.

A NV4500 would be nice, but more money.

As a side thought, I was thinking of a NP203 + NP205 to help give me a longer front drive shaft.

 

[Gumby]

350/Th700R4/NP203doubler/split case

 

[Wayneraintree]

That would definantly be the cheaper way to go for now. And I could add a toybox later if I went that route. I would just have to swap out the cone on my 3spd. I guess I have some work to do this weekend

that is my plan also, adding a toybox... but I like Gumby's set up and look forward to hearing how he liks the auto to 203 doubler/split case set up

 

[Gumby]

Hopefully, it'll be in tomorrow. I hope to TIG the driveshafts in my welding class on Friday.

I'm going TH400/NP203/3-speed 'cause that's what I had. I think a 700R4/203/split would be the best.

 

[Wayneraintree]

Hopefully, it'll be in tomorrow. I hope to TIG the driveshafts in my welding class on Friday.

I'm going TH400/NP203/3-speed 'cause that's what I had. I think a 700R4/203/split would be the best.

i thought you were dong the auto... I have never used an auto on the trail, some people rave about it but I am unsure.. I'm sticking with my 465 for now...
is the auto why you think the 700r4/203/spli would be the optimal?

 

[Gumby]

i thought you were dong the auto... I have never used an auto on the trail, some people rave about it but I am unsure.. I'm sticking with my 465 for now...
is the auto why you think the 700r4/203/spli would be the optimal?

I love wheeling the auto and wouldn't set up a trail truck any other way. The TH400 is the GM heavy duty 3 speed auto. I got it over the TH700R4 because it was cheap, easy to rebuild, bulletproof and came with a NP203 stock.

The 700 has a lower first than the 400 or the 350 and has an overdrive 4th gear. It had some issues early, but they can be built plenty strong for a trail truck.

The doubler is way cheaper than a D300, toybox, or Atlas and gives the same 4:1 range, but also gives a 2:1 range. It's heavier and longer too, but WAY cheaper.

The split case is just the best Cruiser case. A D300 would be nice, but requires a centered rear. A NP203/205 doubler is very heavy, hangs down low and also requires a centered rear.

I guess money no object I would go 4L60E/Atlas to a custom centered rear diff