Posted by Keith in Washington on November 16, 1999 at 15:11:30:
In Reply to: Ranger Overdrive/M37 trans. posted by C. Garbee on November 16, 1999 at 14:51:12:
On possible solution is to put a GM SM 420 transmission in. It might solve the overdrive issue. Mating the SM420 to the NP transfercase is not a problem as the short shaft between the transmission and transfer case is easily adaptable. All you need is the Dodge 1/2 that attaches to your transfer case and then get a hold of a GM front half the the appropriate diameter and splines which is found on GM 1 ton trucks. I have this setup in my truck with a 327 Chev and bellhousing along with the SM 420 transmission the rest is the original Dodge drive train.
The 420 is a good solid transmission and parts are still available. I had the entire gear set, bearings and shafts replace in mine for $600. It was simply a swap out of a NOS Gamma Gote transmission. Those gears were absolutly new and pristine and work like like a charm. Additionaly, the SM 420 has a much lower 1st gear than the NP transmission and are syncro in 2nd, 3rd and 4th.