Posted by Fred Coldwell on Tuesday, May 28, 2002 at 0:21AM :
In Reply to: Helitool 318 conversion posted by Dan Lowe on Thursday, May 23, 2002 at 1:45PM :
and transmision in a FF PW is that a Ranger two speed overdrive will fit between the Chevy clutch bellhousing and the SM 420 or SM 465 tranny in a simple bolt-in installation (but the intermediate shaft must be shortened). The input shaft of a NP Dodge transmission is too long for the Ranger overdrive, so will have to be machined or modified to fit, as might the input shaft of the Ranger OD into a Dodge clutch in a Dodge bell housing. Using a Ranger overdrive means you can keep the 5.83 axle gears in the PW for off-roading yet still cruise the highways at a decent speed in 4th gear OD without changing to 4.88 gears. You would have 16 foward speeds available with the Ranger OD.
I was unable to get Advance Adopters to modify a Ranger overdrive to fit a NP Dodge 435 transmission. Unlike using a 318, using a Chevy engine, clutch and tranny gives you the option of installing a Ranger OD in a FF PW, a very useful modification in my opinion. Hope these facts help you with your decision. And yes, I respect myself. :)