I am going to start looking for a nv3500hd to put in my polypowered sweptline. according to some of the rebuilder houses websites all the Dakota's had the hd version whereas the ram 1500&2500 had the regular one. Seems backward to me. Any insight on this? The Ram and Dakota take different shifter "bases" so there are some differences between the 2.

The Dakota shifter is positioned further rearward.

As for the torque rating, yes, Dakota is 40 lb/ft higher rating, but I have never seen a reason why. You would think by now someone would know and give reason but I have yet to see it.

Dakota transmissions are easier to find, usually had V6's in front of them which should equal less wear and tear than the V8's.

Sounds like a neat project.

I don't think you will find an NV3500 in a 2500 Ram, at least not with a V8 and maybe that is why. Perhaps all the 1500s are V6 and/or light duty short bed single cabs, I don't really know though, just speculation.

Yep, Guitar NV3500's are in the 2500's, with 360 Magnum. They are rare to come by; I've seen maybe 2 for sale in the last 3, 4 years or so in my area.

Makes no sense why they would have the 360 5 speed for the 2500 and not the 1500? Power isn't the issue, the NV3500 was used with 350's

Everyone I've ever seen was a NV4500 and those are rare. I got my NV4500 out of a 1997, 2500, 5.9 Magnum truck.

Thanks for the replies. Got a line on a 6 cyl Dak w/5speed for parts now.The Poly has a 4" crank, ported big valve heads etc and doesn't get along with the old 745 too well, these extra gears should help.