NV3500 tranny swap

westmorgan · Post by **westmorgan** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 1:23 am

Has anybody tried swapping a NV3500 5spd tranny from a late model 5.2L into older trucks? I was wondering if the trans will bolt directly to older 318 blocks (1970 specifically). Also how long is this trans? Will it fit between the engine and transfer case without modifications?

Thanks, Scott

westmorgan · Post by **westmorgan** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 6:02 pm

Apparently, from another dodge forum, the tranny will bolt up without any problem. The length and hyd. clutch may be a problem, but should be easy to overcome.

yeahbut · Post by **yeahbut** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 2:30 am

westmorgan wrote:
Apparently, from another dodge forum, the tranny will bolt up without any problem. .

You wouldn't know what forum?

westmorgan wrote: The length and hyd. clutch may be a problem, but should be easy to overcome.

I've got /6. I dont even know if its bellhousing is the same as in the v-8s.

this isn't something that I want or need to do this week, but I'd like to learn what my options are.

As usual any help and advice is reatly appreciated.

westmorgan · Post by **westmorgan** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 8:59 pm

Ramchargercentral.com

Lot of useful info can be found there.

I have never owned a /6, but if it shares the same bolt pattern as LA and Magnum (also Hemi) V-8's it should work. The 3500 tranny is a light duty 5spd used in Dakotas and 1/2 ton Rams. It has a bellhousing that is part of the tranny case. If needed I could measure an LA-318 bellhousing I have laying around. Let me know, I drift thru here every couple of days.

yeahbut · Post by **yeahbut** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 10:06 pm

Westmorgan,
thanks for the info and the offer. one of the gurus over at slantsix.org clued me in. here's his post here from :
http://www.slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15172

The truck slant and the v-8 use different bellhousings. To install an automatic OD, you will need an adapter. It would be possible to use a slant six 727 trans, and a tailshaft mounted aftermarket OD, like the "Gearvenders" unit.. That would not require a engine/trans adapter.

Looks I can use a 727/904 with an adaptor, or the A833 manual. I could be wrong, an probably am, but the A833 looks a little rinky dinky. It has the lingage like a three speed or a car. And it doesn't have the macho shift lever of the trusty NP435.

It seems like dodge used a NV2500 on the V6s in the 1/2 ton and i guess the Dakotas. Now, if these bolt to a slant then maybe a NV3500 bolts to the slant. Right now that is the big question. IF they use the hydralic clutch, then I'm in good shape.

The original owner swapped out the rearend for something so tall that I need the granny gear to start out. In fact the truck stalls below 10/12 MPH in 2nd gear. I don't mind it too much, but I think that it is defeating in the city for MPG. ON the hiway it runs like crazy. I'm afraid that I'll cause an accident when I need to come to a stop to downshift into 1st gear. Wild. the upshift from 1st to 2nd is slooooow.

If I can get an OD tranny, then I'd change the axle back to something in the 3.5 to 3.75 range. I would think any taller with the six, and I'd find mydelf in DIR more than OD

_________________

westmorgan · Post by **westmorgan** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 11:39 pm

If memory serves me the dodge v-6's are basically a 318 with two cylinders missing, so I don't believe that a tranny off one will bolt directly to a slant. Of course, if you can find one, an NP545 (I think that is right) out of a late 60's medium duty dodge truck might work. It is a 5spd OD and should theoretically bolt up to your bellhousing. Then again I've never actually seen one and could be mistaken.

I have 4 Power Wagons and most of them are geared so low they don't need the granny box (or second in some cases) in them.

79 W150 LWB 360, 727 - Newest purchase haven't had a chance to check, however it runs down the road like it has 3.55's.

77 W100 Utiline 440, 435 - 3.99 gears

77 W400 360, 435 - 4.99 gears, original NP445 trans swapped by Fire Dept for who knows what reason. Only 3 and 4 are needed except under heavy loads.

However, all of those trucks are difficult and costly to convert, so I figured I would concentrate on making a daily driver out of my 70.

My 70 Crew Cab Power Wagon came with a LA318-2bbl, NP435, and 4.10 axels. If the info I've collected is right, it should be a simple matter to bolt the tranny to my 318, fab a Hyd clutch system, and have a new shaft made to go between the tranny and trans-case. Also, I have found low mileage NV3500 at junk yards for about $750. However, it will be sometime next year before I get a chance to try the swap.

Let me know if you find out any useful info.

Thanks, Scott

thatoneguy · Post by **thatoneguy** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 6:06 pm

i was thinking of goting a swap like this too my 4 speed is about dead and i was wanting something that had a couple more gears and a higer gear ratio i have a 69 d 100 with a 318 how much work would it b to get the clutch to work and what about the driveline and splines on the output shaft would they b the same

westmorgan · Post by **westmorgan** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 8:35 pm

From what info I have dug up, the clutch disks are both 11", the only question is if the pressure plate bolt pattern is the same. Otherwise the hyd. clutch setup should not be hard to fab. Since the slave cylinder bolts directly to the tranny, the only thing to do is find a convenient place to bolt the master and tank then connect it to the pedal. As far as the output shaft, I have found no info regarding that. It is safe to assume you will have to build a new driveshaft to make it work. Listed below are the specs I have been able to find. Hope this helps.

Clutch - 11", 10 spline, 1 1/8" input shaft dia.
Pilot Bearing - ID 0.7630, OD 1.8200

Manufactured by New Venture Gear
Order code: DDC
Input torque rating: 300 ft-lb
Max GVWR: 7,200 lb
Max GCVWR: 11,000 lb
Fluid Capacity: 4.8 pints to the bottom of the fill plug
Weight (with oil): 110 lb
Mopar Manual Transmission Lubricant (PN 4761525) is the ONLY lubricant recommended for the NV3500.
Fill Plug: Front housing on passenger side
Drain Plug: Bottom of the front housing

Wide ratio used in 1500
Gear Ratio
1st 4.01
2nd 2.32
3rd 1.40
4th 1.00
5th 0.73
R 3.55

Narrow ratio used in 2500LD
Gear Ratio
1st 3.490
2nd 2.160
3rd 1.401
4th 1.000
5th 0.729
R 3.55

OregonDodgeboy · Post by **OregonDodgeboy** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 12:01 pm

Way back in the shady, dusty crevices of my mind I seem to recall something that might help you. When I was into late model Darts, there were people swapping in 5 speeds from the Mustang into /6 cars. IIRC, it was a top loader design, reasonably compact (I don't recall floors or firewall mods for Darts anyway), and pretty tough. Something to investigate anyway, hope it helps.