walmer14

i have a 56 job rated 1/2 ton
it has a 72 318 la engine in it with a a904 3 speed junk tranny (leaks like a ford )
i would like to do a 5 speed manual but i dont know what tranny will bolt up
i think a nv 3500 out of a 94 and up dakota will but im not that familiar with the manual transmission bellhousings
what are you guys thoughts

RacerHog

http://americanpowertrain.com/

Or Brewer Transmissions...

walmer14

I that would be fine but idk if I want to dump 1000 1500 dollars on a tranny right now anyway

RacerHog

Keep us posted on how you come over... And the progress..

Iowan

Hey now, none of my Ford transmissions leak.........none, my mopars every 727 I've had built has leaked.........every stinking one!

Iowan

That's C4, C6, and FMX not one leak so kis my sweetie mopar/ Ford butt.

RacerHog

What the heck has got into you?... lol








Shhhhhh, Dont tell him. But the reason they dont leak.... He forgot to put fluid in them all....hehehehe... Shhhhhhh

Iowan

Just having fun, the mans dumping on Ford's, only trans lve had trouble sealing has been the 727.........

walmer14

1
So I'm thinking that a nv 3500 from a 94 to 04 Dakota will bolt up to a 72 la 318 I'm not 100% sure but that would be a nice option
Let me know if anyone has seen this combo or Hurd of it

RacerHog

Ohhhhhhhh... I see.. Hahahaha Got it now....

RacerHog

Swap sounds like a plan....

walmer14

So I've read that the cranks for the automatic set up do not have a machined spot for the pilot bearing but people have got around that with a generic bearing that fits the rough machine hole for the autos
Next battle is deciding nv3500 or nv 4500 and I think there is a 3500 hd also I know they will bolt up to the engine but I'm not sure on gearing the rear axle is going to get changed also it's I believe a 8 1/4 with something like 245. 255 s. So I am thinking like 343 ish will work nice

RacerHog

You might try it first... You might like it that low geared out on the hwy...

jjjbaggs

I put an ax-15 from a dakota v6 behind a 318 la in a 67 coronet used the pilot bearing, flywheel, clutch and made the pedals fit from the dakota too. Had to modify floor and trans mount. Been three years now no issues. Oh yea you will want to get a 97 or older to get the cable speedo to work.

walmer14

I assume an ax15 is a 5 speed nv 3500
sry I don't know the tranny model's

jjjbaggs

The ax15 is lighter then 3500. If your 318 is high performance and you drive her hard get a 3500 or even better a 4500.

Iowan

Nice!

walmer14

About 400 horse
so does anyone know the year/ model truck to get a3500 out of

jjjbaggs

I think they were available in all the gen 2 rams 5.2 1500 had 3500 and 5.9 2500 had the 4500 which is a heavier trans and with 400 hp you would be better to get the 4500.

fivepoint

Hey jjjbaggs, show more pics of that Coronet. Tell us more about it.

jjjbaggs

I'll have to take some more pics can't seem to find the others but done her up about six years ago has a la 318 2bbl holley original 3 speed auto with 3.91 gears which was horrible on the highway coulda changed gears but would rather have a manual anyway. Not a racer but doesn't struggle to get along and better on fuel then the dakota 3.9 and the nitro 4.0 we also have and i use her everyday when the snow is gone away.Thats my little nephew havin fun honking the horn.. lol. I'm now restoring a 64 fargo utiline with drivetrain swap from a 97 ram also 5 speed and 4x4. See thread 5.2 magnum swap.

mid-nite09

I would rather go with a nv4500 myself. I'm not sure on the older ones but on the later models they had a issue with the 5th gear comming undone. It's a pretty simple fix. And also will hold anything you will throw to it. Far as pilot bearing. That shouldnt interfere bc your pilot bearing should be in the flywheel. But I could be wrong.