OD Tranny in 79 W150

There are several places on the net with good info.

On Fri, 16 Mar 2007 03:21:15 GMT, "Max Dodge" wrote:

You might check out link below to to see what they might offer. Never seen this swap done but the biggest potentail problems with any of these swaps other than overall length changes and Tcasee to tranny bolt patterns is the spline counts and lengths of Tcase input and tranny output shafts. Dodge Ford and GM as used variuos combos within each brand over the years and even same Tcase model/type can have different spline in different branded trucks. I would strongly suggest that is you want to seriously improve MPG that you do a tranny and Tcase swap and loose the NP203 and swap out the bastard hubless front axle Dodge used then. The tranny/Tcase swap might sound like a lot of work but it would be easer to replace that as a unit with a more modern tranny with OD than to splice a different tranny in there because if tranny and adaptor is longer then you have to redo mounts and driveshaft lenghts as well as adapt it where with a complete swap you can basicaly use off the shelf parts amf at most modifed mount and driveshaft and linkage as needed. I would suggest using a NP208 T case as it can be made to fit you truck and can supprt more modern trannies. You could use a NP205 but it will require more adapting because it was never used with more modern trannies. Being able to disengage front axle with free wheel hubs in 2wd can gain you a MPG or more on highway too (the reason I said to loose the front axle earlier)

NP205 was used as late as early 1994 with A-518 and A-618 overdrive transmissions. From my perspective that's pretty modern.

On Fri, 16 Mar 2007 13:24:33 GMT, "BigIronRam" wrote:

Only likley with athe CTD and such a tranny and its calibration would not work well for 360. I suggested the 208 because they are plentifull and will fit. Begining around 95 when Dodge went to new body stlye they had to change transfer cases because the moved the differentail pig to other side so those Tcases will not work here. The axle used from 95 until aaorund 03 had a weaked front axle housing with a knotch cut in them for a axle shaft disconnector when Dodge abandoned lock out hubs. (I have seen many lifted late model Dodge trucks with bent front axle housings because of this) Some may think I pick on Dodge but it is not the brand but what they do with some things. I like the new AAM front axle they started using in 2003 (I think it is the strongest solid axle in use in a modern P/U) BUT, they had to go back to the 70's style bastard hub design that will not support lock out hubs so front axle is always turning and cause drag even is 2wd and it is not a negligible drag either. (you can convert it to lockout yourself for about 2 grand when Dodge could have done it for likely around 100 bucks or less in prodcution) SOme may like that since there is no hubs to engage, it makes 4x4 easier to use but if manually engaging a hub if need be is to challanging for you, you do not need to be driving a 4x4 anyway. Back in 70's when they were all doing full time 4x4 they still had conventional hubs on GM, Ford and Jeep 4x4's that could except lockout hubs that could be easily installed if Tcase was swapped out or modified. Not so on a Dodge in 70's during fulltime era or today. It is kinda a shame because basically some of those old Dodges were pretty sturdy trucks otherwise and if the orignal poster has a clean one that they plan to keep for a while and takes time to swap out Tcase, tranny and replace front axle to allows for lockout hubs he could have a pretty nice and sturdy and classic 4x4 truck design. I started owning and driving 4x4's around 1970 and was around them before that (since I can remember) so I do tend to have a little different perspective on what a 4x4 was, is or should be. Some of those old 4x4's from 60's and 70's were tanks and well built and some even into the 80's somewhat too. (the old original dodge power wagons were kinda crude on creature comforts and could squeak, rattle and such but they were very sturdy and well built)

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