A518 Swap Questions - 76 2wd 360 D100

I've found a few sites, PATC being one, that cover the electronics and linkages pretty well for the transmission swap. I have three primary questions for this bunch:

[*]Which vehicles can I search for that will have the A518/46RH installed? Model year and model
[*]Do the 360 versions have external balance weights on them, like the 727s?
[*]How much modification needs to be done to the floor? Hammering? Cut/Weld? Both? Pictures would be wonderful.

o/d's came in 88/89. rh up til 95 and possibly some very early 96. not sure on the 96 model year. i have a 91 1/2 ton,318 tbi that has 518 rh WITHOUT lock up convertor. it is just a 2 wire. supposedly highly sought after as you can put reg convertor in it. i am going to take it out and put it behind a magnum in an 82 d150. not sure on the trans tunnel mods yet. getting ready to retire july 22 and will get started on 23 with that project. sorry that is all i have now. 360 should have bal wts on conv.

All heavy duty overdrives installed since inception up to and including 1995 will be a RH.
1996 was the first year for RE.

Light duty overdrives went to RE in 93-1/2 in the Grand Cherokee (A500).

All 360 were externally balanced while I believe all 318 were internal.

Just put one in a 76 D100 360.... do yourself a favor and go find a 90-93 crossmember and spacers all you have to do is blow holes in the frame it's a bolt in deal! I had to make a few modifications with a ball peen hammer to the floor pan. But that could have been due to floor pan replacement previously. If You find more than one cross member and are going to be going to the Mopar Nationals grab one for me I scavenged 1 out of my 2 wheel drive Ram charger for my kids truck and now I am short said crossmember. Make sure you get the later version 518 with lockup, there's a 3 pin connector on the driver side is as opposed to to be non lock-up ones with only two pins.

I put a A500 out of a 1992 V6 Dakota into my '71 D100 (318), and an A518 from a van into the wife's '79 LRE clone (built 360), just fabbed a rear mount that bolted to the existing crossmember on each of them. Basic stuff with a welder and a drill press. Make sure you get the trans mount from the donor.

Chrysler continued to manufacture 3 speed automatics for a number of years after the introduction of the overdrive transmissions. I saw a mid to late 90's basic work van once that had a three speed automatic in it. The under hood sticker confirmed it was originally built that way. So, make sure the donor vehicle actually has the overdrive transmission in it.

I've never attempted this swap, but am considering it to improve highway cruising. How well does the transmission operate with the aftermarket overdrive / lock-up converter kits? Years ago, I saw a kit that used pressure switches. Does this force the shift into overdrive at a specific speed, regardless of load. If so, wouldn't this be a problem driving in mountainous terrain?

Thanks for the input, I think I've sourced a trans here pretty close to me!

This kit is what I am looking at, it uses a vacuum input to interrupt the OD and converter lockup power source under higher load.

https://transmissioncenter.net/shop...ere-for-727-to-46rh-swap-wiring-diagram/

I used that set up but bought the switches for a gm turbo350 for $8 ea one 35lb and one 40lb at the trans parts store. That way you can set up the convertor and od to come in at different times.The vacuum switch came from a mid 80s caprice. $15. Parts house parts for plumbing. Followed PATC 's install instructions. worked for the 2 years I had the truck and really helped the mileage considering is was running a 408 stroker. Ignition fired the vacuum switch that fed the center post on the trans plug and one wire to each pressure switch from the outer two trans plug terminals and a ground form each P switch. Super simple set up.

wow I just looked up the vacuum switch and the price is up to $60+. PATC kit may not be a bad deal.

Transman, what year did the 5.9 balance weights move from the converter to the magnum flexplate?

Sorry I missed this post - forgot I posted esrlier.

I really don’t remember the switch, I was handling FWD trans stuff from 95 onward - sorry can’t help.

But - a quick search says all magnum had weighted flexplates and neutral converters and went in to production in 1993.

Never seen a 360 magnum with a weighted flexplate . Was always on converter in my experience.

IIRC, the 360 magnum has a different balance than the older 360.

Robert

Here is a pic of one...

that picture is a 5.9......

He said 360 Magnum?