Minnesota Guy

Hi,

I am brand new to your group! Thanks for having me. I have a 1987 Dodge Ram 4x4 w150... Last year I installed a 440 with 6 pack pistons, 750 AVS, headers, small comp cam,thermoquad intake--(chryslers best cast iron intake for flow and HP--and cheap..(5.00 to free) Factory 4 spd. I actually get better gas mileage than with the 360 bomb. Anyway...

Question: I have a short shaft 727 and converter from a 440 truck.I just got from a buddy...I will get the weighted flex plate since I have the cast crank. How hard to get the 4spd out of there--back to the drive shaft yoke? my short shaft tranny had the rear yoke taken off. I have the tranny brace as well if needed..or are they the same?
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I have the linkage and the steering column....stuff for 87s is basically free...
my question is strictly transmission oriented...nuts and bolts of that swap..what do I need to do.....I cant stand the 4spd that came factory on this 1987 W150..(was 360 4bbl-31 tall factory tire).....1st gear is so low--useless..never use it....and 4th gear has the rpms at 2000 at 60mph..with 3:21 gearing...

Thanks guys! Any help is appreciated.

1966sportfury

1st gear in that is just a "granny" gear not meant to be used unless a need for pulling,
its not that hard to pull the transmission, you will need a automatic shifter obviously, my question is the transfer case is it married or a divorced unit?
i "THINK" switching to a auto your rpms will be higher in the finale drive?

78D200

Welcome!

Sounds like you have an NP435A tranny w/6.68 first gear (feel like sending it my way?). The NP435L tranny came with a 4.56 first gear.

You may need different bolt lengths to bolt the 727 to the 440. Depending on what t-case you have now, which side the front diff is on, and if your 727 is a 2wd or 4wd tranny will all play a factor in what transfer case you bolt up to it.

You should be able to do the swap fairly quickly though as the 727 mount should drop right onto the crossmember. Only other thing you need to do is run tranny lines up front to a tranny cooler placed infront of the radiator and you should be set. You may need to have your driveshafts lengthed/shortened depending on teh difference in length between the NP435 and the 727.

78D200

Please keep us posted on this as we, at least I am, very interested in how this turns out.

Minnesota Guy

THANKS!

I thought I have the 435 tranny--I will check...but this tranny is the "married" unit..4spd goes into a block that contains a yoke that connects to rear drive shaft...I was wondering if the spline coming off this tranny since the yoke was taken off it anyway--would just slide into that "block"--Or do I pull that as well...and get a longer drive shaft..or is that 435 all one unit connected in 2 parts like that?

thanks...jeff....

Minnesota Guy

here are a couple photos of some stuff I have...I need to update...I've got a 71 Barracuda...converting to FAST; and I am restoring a 69 gtx I have had since 1989...Also going to convert to F.A.S.T.....http://s780.photobucket.com/albums/yy85/440guy/

78D200

The tranny should have a bolted bell housing to bolt it to the motor. Behind the tranny, there will be one of two things - an adaptor housing that is bolted to the tranny and the t-case is then bolted to it or your tranny will have a tail shaft housing (short) with a fixed yoke that has a very short driveshaft that connects to the front of the t-case.

You probably have a t-case bolted right to the back side of the adaptor housing. Here is a picture of what the NP435 looks like without a bell housing or adaptor. They measure about 10 3/4" long. You will probably need new driveshafts or have your's modified.

Minnesota Guy

Yes, thanks, that is what I have...What I called the block--is the adapter..I was hoping the 727 would spline into the adaptor...but doesnt sound like it..so I will need a new shaft....i have no little shafts that go to transfer case...Should I work backward to forwards, or take off bellhousing, and disconnect clutch bolts..then work backwards forwards or go forward back?--block up the transfer case so it doesnt fall?

thanks..I will try not to bug anymore....easier finding out first then just start "ripping"
thanks...Jeff

78D200

Work from the motor to the tranny to the t-case to the driveshafts. That is the easiest way. Is it a passenger side or driver's side drop front axle?

Minnesota Guy

Tim, transfer case drops front shaft on passenger side....I uploaded some photos on my photobucket...model 435 tranny..appears build date 1983..wonder if that swapped at one time...435 bolts to adaptor...that then bolts to transfer case..and drive shaft goes to transfer case...thanks..Jeff

78D200

You'll want to look into getting an NP208 or NP205 t-case then. The NP205 is all gear driven (no chains) and is heavy but can handle a well built BB.

Feel free to pack everything up for that NP435 (bellhousing, pedels, everything) and ship it my way. I wouldn't mind having a granny low tranny for my buggy.

78D200

After looking at the pics, you'll need to remove both the tranny and t-case. You may be able to get that t-case to bolt right up to the 727 though as they have a round, 6 bolt pattern and usually the shafts slide together. Just count the splines and try mating them together outside the truck first.

Minnesota Guy

Thanks for the replies!

78D200

How is this swap coming along?

Minnesota Guy

I am working on restoring my 69 GTX..so I haven't touched it..But I look at the parts everyday! plus raising a family...I will start ripping shortly...

78D200

Sounds like a lot on your plate. Just make sure your priorities are set right and you'll be just fine.

Minnesota Guy

I took out the belhousing, tranny and transfer case today....NP435 4spd...transfer case is NP208.........Now all I need is the 727 extension housing #3836016...So I can put it all back together.....These should be a dime a dozen since there must have been a lot of 318 and 360 727 4x4s out there around 1985-87....

Shoot...for how much that NP435 weighs a ton...Aint no way I am shipping that!

78D200

LOL

bltpls5

Hi Sota Guy, in a few months I will be a sota guy my self. Retireing to the Wadena area. I have a 92 w150 with 318 3SPD OD. i've been moling over doing something with my tranny do to the high rpm's. Not sure what. maybe bigger tires to start? let me know what u do. if it helps with your rpm's.

GOOD LUCK

Minnesota Guy

Hey,

You can go bigger tires always to drop rpms..but then you lose some power....If you tow, the higher r's are nice....I only have 3:21 gears..So I didnt have enough r's for towing my race car...I had the low granny which I didnt need and 4th gear would lug when pulling a cordoba around I90 in Sioux falls, SD.......Problem in 87 was if you went with 391 or 410 you would spin too high rpms for everyday use..Not like today where they figured it out..with 4spd autos...I really need 355's in my truck with the factory 31 tall tire, but the 440 I installed with much better low end torque has taken care of it....
I will probably spin highers r's with an auto due to torque slippage.....

But with your year, YOu may have 355 gears? Go to larger tire or swap pinions or housings....How many r's is it spinning at 60mph?

bltpls5

I not sure I dont have a Tach. But it seems like a lot. I'm guessing 45 to 50. I've only had a few weeks hadn't had the time to pull my boat (almost 2000 lbs). wondering weather 33's would make that much difference?

78D200

bltpls5 - Alot of that will depend on the axle ratio, tranny, and tire size that you are running right now. If you want, post all that up and I can help you figure out what you really want (or at least what you should be looking at) to do.

78D200

Minnesota guy - how is your swap coming?