1984 W250 transmission swap

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Tom Hitchman

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1984
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5.2 v8
Hello, I have a 1984 Power Ram W250 4x4 with the 4 speed manual transmission (NP435 I believe). Was wondering if it was feasible to swap a 5 speed tranny in for better highway driving. The truck likes 55 mph or so with the 4 speed and as we all know that doesn't cut it on modern interstates. Has anyone done this conversion? Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.
 

crazzywolfie

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81 93
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anything is possible if you are willing to spend the money but i don't think there is any real cheap or easy way to swap in a newer 5 speed especially since the old transmission have mechanical clutch linkage where the new ones have a hydraulic clutch. for some reason i think i have seen people do similar swaps in the past and they usually had to weld some patches on the firewall to move some things around to install the newer style clutch master cylinder.
 
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Tom Hitchman

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thanks for the time and thoughts, through my research I found the same sort of general difficulty in such a transfer. Probably time to just get a different truck.
 

Jimmy68

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thanks for the time and thoughts, through my research I found the same sort of general difficulty in such a transfer. Probably time to just get a different truck.

Or a second truck. Like an 02 Ram 2500 4x4 with a 360. Transmission of your choice, I like automatic.
 

The War Wagon

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Throw that NP435 up for sale - a LOT of us Gen.1 guys would LIKE to have one! :waytogo:
 
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Tom Hitchman

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Truck has only 145k on it, tyranny works great. What's that tranny worth, what's the truck worth?
 

crazzywolfie

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it is only worth what someone is willing to pay. the main thing that effect value is how much rust there is on the body. i would say about 75% of the value is in the body. the drivetrain and running gear are really not as valuable since they never really rusted out quite like they bodies did.
 
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Tom Hitchman

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Minimal rust. Body is not beat up. Is 2000-3000 in the ballpark?
 

crazzywolfie

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if the cab is solid and the truck would require no work to pass inspection and put plates on it i don't see why you couldn't get that.
 
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Tom Hitchman

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Yeah thanks. Been driving it now for a couple of years. Love going down those country roads doing 45-50 mph. Real sweet spot for that tranny. Towing a day sailor down the interstate I don't get much love from all bodies doing 80.
 
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