Posted by Charlie on October 29, 1998 at 22:48:42:
In Reply to: NV4500 conv. posted by Richard D. on October 28, 1998 at 16:06:20:
The NV4500 has a bolt pattern width of 10.078", too wide for the M37 bellhousing. I just measured it. Second, the shortest available 2WD configuration is about 18" long, about 8" longer than the NP420. No room for the driveshaft with the stock motor. My Clark 280VO at 15" long (front to rear faces) is as long as you can go: you should see my driveshaft! It has about 1/4" of available compression. The only other 5 speeds that will work with the stock bellhousing in the stock location is the NP540 (virtually impossible to find in OD configuration due to no more input shafts). There may be a Spicer T5-290 (T5X-2276). Does anyone know about this? With repowers with 4 cyl diesels, and maybe V8s, many gearboxes will fit. If you have a NV4500 and are set on using it (which is IMPOSSIBLE with the 251 bellhousing, you could get the early Dodge tailhousing and use a married NP205, with the drive train supported by a cross member under the tailhousing.
Charlie