I put a NP435/205 behind my 2002 Ranger 4.0 motor

[Rulebreaker]

When I put the 435 in my 75 Bronco the shifter looked just like your Ranger. Only I just got the shifter cherry red and bent it to a 90. Did you modify the 435 bell or build yours from scratch? Could you post some pic's of the bell? Or cant you get a good look at it installed? RB

[alwaystinkering]

Thanks for the compliments, Dirmaid, but I'm not an engineer but just an ordinary guy with an overactive imagination.

As far as the factory bellhousing is concerned, Rulebreaker, there was no way I could use it. It was too wide and there would have been no room for the exhaust. That is why I had to design and build my own bellhousing. The only thing I used off the factory bell was the clutch arm and pivot, which I installed in my own bellhousing I built. I'll try to get better pictures of it, but it will have to wait until next week.

[alwaystinkering]

That origional shifter was strictly temporary. I had to cut the shifter ball fairly short to install and so I just welded a piece of 5/8" round about 6 inches long to the stock 435 shifter. It looked ugly, hit the dash in 1st and 3rd and mama didn't like it. I thought it would look cool with a chrome skull with red eyes, but mama nixed that idea as soon as it left my lips. So, I figured making the stock Ranger shifter work would be the best idea. That way I could keep the transmission swap hidden and no one would suspect. Besides, I figure it would be fun the first time I took it in for new tires and the mechanic put the truck in 1st and it would just crawl-hehe. I have to modify my cupholder, but it looks like it will fit in the stock location, so now all I have to do is figure out how to fill in 5th gear on my shift knob. I'm kinda anal about those things. If I don't have 5th, I don't want it on my shift knob, yet I want the knob to look stock and origional.

[alwaystinkering]

Well, here's the pictures of the stock shifter in the truck. It doesn't hit the dash or anything. Actually, the shifter works surprisingly well except for some reason I have a bit of difficulty shifting it out of reverse. It's the leveraging of the shifter, not an issue with the transmission, so I'm going to have to look into that some more. When I put the tranny in granny, the shifter is still about 4 inches away from the dash, so that is good. One thing I noticed is that the throw is fairly small between 3rd and 4th, kinda makes it feel like a short throw shifter. Not sure if I like it that way or not, so I'll drive it for a while and see what I think of it.

On another note, while I made my own driveshaft, since I didn't have anyway to really get it balanced or dialed it, I decided to bite the bullet and have a new one made. The overall length was 64 1/2 inches and I put it in tonight. With the driveshaft I made, I had a little vibration at about 60 mph. With this new driveshaft there is no vibration going 75. Of course going 75 with 4.10 gears, the engine was screaming, but everything held together just fine. If anyone is in Northern California and needs a new driveshaft, let me know and I'll tell you the shop's name. Next step is rebuilding my transfer case since I noticed that my seals were leaking. Not surprising because it sat outside in the dirt for several years until I put it in the barn, but I'm actually impressed at how smooth that transfer case runs.

I'm getting wierd looks from some people now when I back out of parking spots-hehe. Guess they aren't used to Rangers backing up so slow.

[Rulebreaker]

Looks good!

[chilsam]

This is why I'm on here so much I love making do with what you have or make it YOURSELF!!

[alwaystinkering]

Well, so far I have put 1500 miles on the combination and haven't had an issue yet. I still have to relocate my airbag computer, but other than that, the truck runs great. I'm working on buiding a new crossmember and hope to have that done in the next couple days.

So I got to thinking, do you all think there would be a market for this conversion? I'm working on my next bellhousing and want it to be able to bolt up to both the Ford NP435 and the Chevy SM420. I guess I could knock the hole out bigger for the SM465 bearing retainer as well and just make me a smaller ring that just slides in for the other two transmissions. I dunno, what do you all think? The hardest part for most of you would be converting the transmission to read the OSS. It's not that difficult, but sort of challenging.

Oh, and Rulebreaker, I picked up a 4.0 OHV and the flywheel bolts are the same threadpitch and diameter as the newer SOHC motor. Only difference is the SOHC takes 8 bolts vs the OHV 6 bolts. Personally, I think going with SOHC bolts would be the best bet for your adapter plate, but then again, it all depends on how much Ford wants for the bolts, I suppose.

[Rulebreaker]

Thanks for the bolt info. If i had to guess you could sell 1-2 bell housings a year. The problem is that most people who want a bigger transmission also want the bigger engine. That and the fact that it's not for the faint at heart. RB

[alwaystinkering]

When I made that comment that it wasn't for the faint of heart, I was referring to building a bellhousing. I'm planning on having everything in one kit, from the bellhousing to the crossmember so it would then basically turn into a bolt-in type kit. The only thing someone would have to do is modify for the OSS, if they have one in their transmission, and relocate their airbag computer (which I have yet to complete).

I understand your comments about people wanting to go with a bigger motor, but some places (like where I'm at), to keep it street legal, motor options are limited. My whole goal was to keep the engine stock and to be able to pass smog without any issues. Here in California, if the engine is changed, to pass smog one would have to go to a referee to pass. I've heard that it can be a pita out here.

I don't know, I just thought it would generate a lot more interest than it has. It would be neat if I could figure out how to put a ZF in the truck, but with the integral bellhousing, I don't know how I could get it to fit.

This new bellhousing I'm building is going to have the NP435 bolt pattern as well as the SM420 pattern. Hopefully the options of other transmissions will be of more interest to people. If not, hey, it's been a fun design challenge for me.

[SeanWilson]

To be honest i was just looking at the np435 for my ranger. i was contemplating this for a few reasons but mainly gearing. and the fact these stock engines are basically tapped out for power stock, besides a few little mods you cant gain any power and the stock 5speed is basically trash. reliability is good but i agree with you that the gears are not well designed for these motors.

have you had any progress on building up your bell housing kits? i may be interested in buying one in the future. i mean ring and pinion gear changes are around $250 a axle just on the parts, so when i retire this ranger from a daily driver to more of a play rig it might be smart to do a swap like yours