Posted by Charlie on February 01, 2000 at 15:26:04:
In Reply to: Overdrive for '56 Power Wagon posted by Keith Carman on February 01, 2000 at 11:15:33:
Not to be argumentative, but if the exchange rate is C$1.00 = US$0.70, then US$1500-2500 = C$2140-3570? N'est-ce pas?
Anyways, the Gear Vendors (more expensive) system goes on the back of the transfer case but requires the use of a 2-piece rear transfer case output bearing retainer. Some of the transfer cases have it some are 1 piece. The 2 piece bearing retainer should be easy to find, it's also a NP205 part. It comes apart and has a 5 bolt surface when it is split apart which the GV OD will bolt to. Using their Dodge NP205 kit but with a coarse spline coupler. The regular NP205-Dodge kit has a fine spline coupler but one of the GV people told me a few mos ago they had coarse spline couplers in stock.
The Ranger's main problem is length. It moves the transmission back about 7". If you can't shorten the driveshaft by 7" then forget it unless you are willing to move the trasfer case back, which would of course require another $2-300 driveline work. Mr. Garbee has convince AA to make the necessary minor changes in the Ranger to make it bolt-in for M37 NP420s. It will therefore work with the older non-synchro PW transmissions (is that what you have), the only difference is I believe the bolt pattern which just means different holes will need to be drilled and tapped in the rear plate, which is designed for that sort of thing.
Another idea would be of course 4.89s, perhaps with 11.00R16s or 38.5" Boggers. That would drop you to 2640 rpm @ 60 mph. If you don't have the power for that, you don't have the power for an overdrive either.
The cost of that modification would be $650 for the gears, $0-600 for labor, and $1000-2000 for 5 tires.$1650-3250 total, but much better offroad performance and on road ride (particularly with radials), especially if you stick a locker or 2 in at the same time (another $250 each axle).
Charlie