NP435 to over drive trans options

Just looking for ideas here. I'd like to keep the stick in my 74 Power Wagon with what will be a Magnum 5.2 as the 4.10 gears and no O/D really make for a miserable cruise down the highway. I have a 46RH behind the Magnum engine that will be going in the truck but I'd rather avoid that if possible. Are there any manual O/D transmissions that will bolt in without a lot of fabrication? This truck still has mechanical clutch linkage and that would be easy to keep. I don't have a problem moving the divorced transfer case or the shifter hole just looking for something where the major stuff is simple. Any advice and info would be appreciated.

NV4500


Easy....sort of. (ask Scratch)


Not to hijack, is it possible to make 4th gear in a NP435 more freeway friendly?

The 4500 is a stout transmission... and from memory has .73 OD. With the aerodynamics of a '74 PW not sure the 5.2 will like pushing that truck in OD.

If tire size is original (?29" OD) may be OK with 4.10 rear. With big tires I think the 1.00 final drive in the NP 435 will work better.

Bigger tires? I run 9.00 x 16 (36") on my powerwagon. My rpm's are around 2000.

I would think a mid 90's dodge 5 speed would be cheapest. Not sure if it would bolt to your bell, and I think the 5 speeds use a hydraulic bell. If you are going to use the dodge computer, the crank position wheel is machined in the back of the flywheel, so you will need a 5.2 flywheel.

Do the 46RH. The other options are expensive , and honestly more work. Anythings better than an old school "spoon in a bowl of pudding" granny gear 4 speed.

It's not much different then the 92 to 93 trucks and they did OK. I have stock size tires on it LT235/85R16 they are about 31" tall.

I already have a 5.2 flywheel as I was going to keep the NP435.

if it has a divorced xfer. I have a 2x NV4500 granny five speed that is only a couple inches longer than the 435 4 speed.

have all the hydro clutch set up to go with it.

I actually don't mind the shifter and I may just keep the 435 for the time being and hold on to the auto trans and wait and see how I like it first.

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate it.

also if you need a 360 fly and a good spare 435 4 speed mech bell sitting next to it.

Thanks Mike.

I've got a 77 crew with NP445 and married 203. I've got 4.56 gears and am seriously considering going to 3.54. but you have the advantage of divorce case.

I ran 900*16 for a year, not enough to make up the gears and rubbed the fenders.

If you insist on stick, I'd go 4500, if you're ok with auto run the 46rh. Both are fairly easy swaps.