NP435 to Ranger 4.0 OHV Conversion Kit

[SeanC]

I tried to PM Rulebreaker to ask about his NP435 to 4.0 conversion kits, but his inbox is full. Also tried to e-mail rulebreaker@netonecom.net, but the message was returned as undeliverable.

Is anybody still making a kit to perform this conversion?

 

[cbr600rx7]

Sounds like a poor combo truthfully. The NP435 is a great transmission but the gears are so far apart and not having over drive with a 4.0 OHV is going to result in low teens for fuel mileage. Maybe for the hard core off road guys but that's about the only use I can see it in.

 

[Shran]

I haven't seen anyone else building adapters, unfortunately. I waited to respond in hopes that someone knew differently.

The original intention of the NP435/4.0 combo was for use in an offroad rig, an Aerostar van in particular. The gas mileage and driveability factors here are really a moot point - I have a NP435 in my Ranger, behind a V8, though and I can pull mid teens out of it. A 4.0 would be not much different and the one in my Explorer is usually down in that range anyway, although high teens are usually what I expect. 1-2-3mpg difference is just not a big deal in the long run. Furthermore, a 4 speed is very much driveable on the highway and those of us who have deep gears and big tires know what to expect there!

Bottom line, is it ideal? No. But it's incredibly strong, and the low first gear is second to none in the old 4 speeds.

The most exciting thing about a small block to 2.8/2.9/4.0 adapter is that you could theoretically run ANY small block pattern transmission behind a V6... that includes some of the really good ones including the C6, E4OD and ZF 5 speed. There would be a lot of custom work required but much less than a V8 swap.

 

[SeanC]

Bottom line, is it ideal? No. But it's incredibly strong, and the low first gear is second to none in the old 4 speeds.

This.

I'm after the granny gear for crawlability, and I don't care about gas mileage since it's a weekend wheeler.

 

[SeanC]

Sounds like a poor combo truthfully. The NP435 is a great transmission but the gears are so far apart and not having over drive with a 4.0 OHV is going to result in low teens for fuel mileage. Maybe for the hard core off road guys but that's about the only use I can see it in.

 

[Bracket racer]

I was about to start a thread about this and did a search.
So, my question is, is an adapter the only thing required? I'm wondering pilot bearing size and length of input shaft, throw out bearing compatibility, etc. If it's just an adapter required (change bell housing bolt pattern) I can fab that up. There are bearings that can be used as pilot bearings as well. (just tell them the inner and outer diameters and they look it up)

So? (and yes I just want the granny low gear, it's a crawler)

 

[Shran]

The main component was the adapter plate itself. IIRC, there were a lot of off-the-shelf parts used. Here's the thread that started the whole thing... looks like a lot of the pics are gone, unfortunately.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/index.php?threads/4-0l-np435-1356.48533/