Tranny or gears?

[Jayson5150]

OK guys, My dilemma.....I have the stock column shift 3 speed...which doesnt work between 1st & 2nd....I also have the original 3.50:1 gear ratio. I plan to install a 3.5" suspension lift and a 2" body lift...I would like to mount 35" tires. I was in Driven Auto today (local expert on EBs) and was basically told the 3speed wont handle the 35's and the 3.50's just wont cut it...a NV4550 is just not happening I dont & wont have the cash for a long time. What would be my best route for a truck that i would like to take out for some hard 4wheelin(not rock crawling) but still be able to do 75-80mph on highway. Do I change gear ratios? or tranny? both? and to what? I want to go floor shift if I stay with a manual, But if I go automatic, do I go floor shifter or column, requiring column replacement.? Can I rob a C4 or C6 from an F-150 and put an adaptor in for the EB? with or without the transfer case?

I know it's a lot but I am about lost....also willing to go with 33" tires to save the torque needed to turn em.

b-( <--- need smiley that shoots self in head /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[Bully Bob]

See my "signature"..?

My rig (mostly stock) does everything you ask & more....I could run it at 90 mph (I had it there just to see..) but remember, only fools cruise short coupled rigs above 70.

33's if you must, 4:11's ...with the lift (don't really need the body lift) & you're good to go. (Under two grand) (your extreme way...blood, sweat & tears..& about $5K)

I do some pretty hard 4x4'n (no real rock crawl'n)....I leave Jeeps, Land Cruisers, & even the new Rubicon stuck out here in this desert, with a mildly above stock rig. Then cruise it home at 70.

--No brag, just fact--

Had one A/T & didn't like it...felt like I was just along for the ride. BUT, A/T floor shifters are avail. as well.

HTH,

Bob

 

[rewd10]

I say dump the three speed, since it doesnt work anyway. You can purchase a np 435 from any of the Bronco stores for under a grand. It will make a huge differnce. I sold my buddy a 73 all stock drivetrain and we swapped the three speed for a np 435 and he runs 3:50 gears on 35's with not to much problem. I run a np 435 with 33's and 4:10's and love it. I also run a 205 transfercase but am building a dana 20 to replace that. I say leave gears alone swap tranny and add both lifts for 35's and go wheelin!

 

[Bandit]

If money were an object now,I'd put in the gears,and 35's.I have run nv3550's,nv4500's,and currently I am running a c-4.The c-4 has been good to me,but I had an nv3550 on the '77 I used to have.I loved that tranny,smooth,responsive,quick shifting,and plenty strong for most things.I really enjoyed the driving with that tranny.I would search around for a cheap temporary tranny.Alot of guys get rid of thier three speeds,there are plenty around ,and cheap.I'd gear up,get a three speed cheap,or whatever you can find cheap,and I'd eventually get an nv3550.Thats my two cents,good luck,

BANDIT &lt

 

[Bully Bob]

"he runs 3:50 gears on 35's with not to much problem."

---How much, is "not to much"? --- :huh:

I think his tranny is good.....it's the column shifter that's gone south.

(If I'm reading it correctly) :-B

 

[Jayson5150]

I think his tranny is good.....it's the column shifter that's gone south.

(If I'm reading it correctly) :-B

Yes, Bob....my tranny is good...column shifter is not......but since the floor is going under the knife anyway..maybe I should quit worrying about it...the 3 speed should get me anywhere i need to go and if it doesnt do 75-80 I'll stay out of trouble with the law

Then l'll just change to 4.11's in rear, 4:10's up front with lockers in both

 

[STLKIKN]

Jayson, if it's just the shifter that's pooched, for now either rebuild the column shifter, or replace it with a floor shifter.

The people telling you that a three speed won't "handle" the 35's are trying to **** your wallet out of your pocket... it will take all the abuse you can throw at it... but it won't be pretty while doing so.

35's with 3.50 gears will leave you looking for a real 3rd gear ( there is a large ratio split between 2nd and 3rd in the 3 speed, that you will notice while in city driving...) also, with the 2.99:1 first gear, you won't have a whole lot of "get up and go" off the line, but your top end cruising speed will be phenomenal!!

And as previously stated, you may find that the EB becomes a little unstable at 80mph, especially if there are ANY slightly worn bushings and suspension/ steering components.

 

[Bully Bob]

"The people telling you that a three speed won't "handle" the 35's are trying to **** your wallet....."

I'm sure his "shop" didn't mean his trannie (3 sp) would "crystalize"....I think they were advising that it just wasn't the "best" set-up for his planned uses for his rig. ^_^ /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[STLKIKN]

"The people telling you that a three speed won't "handle" the 35's are trying to **** your wallet....."

I'm sure his "shop" didn't mean his trannie (3 sp) would "crystalize"....I think they were advising that it just wasn't the "best" set-up for his planned uses for his rig. ^_^ /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

You could be correct, but I work at a 4x shop up here in Canada, and it sometimes seems that some of the competition uses fear as a driving force to get customers to spend more money than they need to.

If they are trying to do the right thing, I apologize... I have never dealt with Driven Auto, and meant no harm by my comment, just replied about the way it was worded....

 

[Bully Bob]

Stlkikn,

I agree 100%...("competition uses fear as a driving force") we just had a Toyota dealership tell a customer "our" battery voided their veh. warranty....& sold them a "Toyota" batt....!!

Go Figure...

Those that do, as you stated, ARE going to get caught & sour their reputation..! There's plenty of $$ to be made W/O lying to folks.

Sounds like your shop is on top of things...keep up the good work.

My guess is they gave him the "hi-end" quote/equipment to see if he had the $$ to go with the asperations. Then work down & meet in the middle so to speak...

And, you're right, it's difficult, at best, to answer questions here fr. a few sentences.

SeaBronc said it best..."If you thing you know, what I think I said.................."

 

[S_bolt19]

I had this same delimea when I did mine. I did the tranny swap first but I went with the NP435. My reason for this is that even with 3.50 gears, you are lower geared than an auto or the NV trannys. At a first gear ratio of 6.32:1 the NV can get very close to the NP. Then you can go to lower gears down the road. You can cruise at 70 with out problems but when it comes down to actual crawl ratios, there is nothing better than the NP. The NV3550 is almost half the rawl ratio that the NP is and slightly better than the stock 3 speed. Put it this way, with my set up (see my signature to get all the info) I am sitting at a final crawl ratio of 67.5:1 and if I were to change to the NV3550 I would be at 40.5:1, the low geared NV4500 is 63.75:1. An AOD (low gear) tranny is 28.65:1. The stock 3 speed is lower than the AOD.

Just a little more help to muddy the waters

 

[Bandit]

I had this same delimea when I did mine. I did the tranny swap first but I went with the NP435. My reason for this is that even with 3.50 gears, you are lower geared than an auto or the NV trannys. At a first gear ratio of 6.32:1 the NV can get very close to the NP. Then you can go to lower gears down the road. You can cruise at 70 with out problems but when it comes down to actual crawl ratios, there is nothing better than the NP. The NV3550 is almost half the rawl ratio that the NP is and slightly better than the stock 3 speed. Put it this way, with my set up (see my signature to get all the info) I am sitting at a final crawl ratio of 67.5:1 and if I were to change to the NV3550 I would be at 40.5:1, the low geared NV4500 is 63.75:1. An AOD (low gear) tranny is 28.65:1. The stock 3 speed is lower than the AOD.

Just a little more help to muddy the waters

A np435 is a good tranny,I have run them ,but the one I had felt like an antique dump truck.I really liked running real low gears with that nv3550,it was very pleasant to drive ,and then you have that overdrive.If a truck is mostly off road,I think an NP435 might be a good choice,but if you do a lot of every thing driving,I'd take the NV3550 anyday,you can add an Atlas t-case,or a doubler.Theres a couple of ways to skin a cat,but if you start asking guys that run the 3550 most love em.

BANDIT &lt

 

[S_bolt19]

A np435 is a good tranny,I have run them ,but the one I had felt like an antique dump truck.I really liked running real low gears with that nv3550,it was very pleasant to drive ,and then you have that overdrive.If a truck is mostly off road,I think an NP435 might be a good choice,but if you do a lot of every thing driving,I'd take the NV3550 anyday,you can add an Atlas t-case,or a doubler.Theres a couple of ways to skin a cat,but if you start asking guys that run the 3550 most love em.

I am not saying that the NV isn't as good, on the contrary. Had I the money to get the NV with the atlas or do a xfer gear swap, I would. But for pure monitary reasons, the NP is the more economical way to go. You get the lowest geared tranny with highway capabilities (not those of the NV though) and it is the best of both worlds. I know quite a few guys with the NV swap and for everyday driving I would agree with you that it is better than the NP. Anyone who has or had one will tell you that they drive like a truck, but you get used to it. The NV will definatly spoil you with it's ease vs. the NP, that is for sure. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />