i currently run an H55F but i want/need lower gearing and also no longer need the overdrive and i know they make gearing kits for it (who is it again) but arn't they expensive and not that low?

So for a while now i have been thinking about an sm420 because i run a 350 and it would bolt right up (right?)

so if you were me and money was an object would you sell the H55F and all the accessories and buy an sm420 an another t-case (which one would i want) and then gear all that way down. then i could also save money by running full width in the rear and instead of getting the axel cut down to match the offset rear.

as you can see i don't know much about which tranny and x-case to go with so any knowledge would be helpful.


thanks

AND I DID SEARCH

420 - cheap, strong, low geared, short. Overdrive is over rated.

krusty nailed it.

Originally posted by gunracer1
krusty nailed it.

Nah, that's tomorrow - a Valentine's Day Special - oh, I get what you mean!:D

Sell the H55F + split case for a tidy profit, put in an SM420 and a 3spd tcase with a tcase saver, adjust driveshaft lengths as needed and you'll still have at least $500 left over!

That's what I'm saying.

Morgan

Originally posted by morgan
Sell the H55F + split case for a tidy profit, put in an SM420 and a 3spd tcase with a tcase saver, adjust driveshaft lengths as needed and you'll still have at least $500 left over!

That's what I'm saying.

Morgan

i would but i am going to be running D-60's so i want a center diff.

where should i sell the H55F? (ebay)

Ah, then SM465+NP205 is a no-brainer.

Yeah, ebay I guess. Beanz2 is the master of ebay, PM him for advice.

Morgan

Originally posted by morgan
Ah, then SM465+NP205 is a no-brainer.

Yeah, ebay I guess. Beanz2 is the master of ebay, PM him for advice.

Morgan

why the sm465, will it bolt right up, what about the 205, how strong is it and do they make gear kits for it, how low and what about a doubler (i like that idea) TELL ME ALL YOU KNOW

Or what about a 420 (or even a 465) with a D300 tcase - centered rear out put, strong, and............. ta da........a 2.65 low range ratio. The 205 has 1.96 low range - but worst of all - the adapter between the 465 and 205 is about 7" long. For my money I would go with the Dana300 - the only downside there is the $500 adapter needed between the 420 and D300. You could probably find a complete 465/205 unit for less than that, ie $400. The D300 typically sells for $200 to $300.

so basically those are the only good choices

420-300 (expensive)
465-300 (how expensive)
465-205 (long but cheap)
420-205 (?)

thanks alot for all the help

Originally posted by TRD
so basically those are the only good choices

420-300 (expensive)
465-300 (how expensive)
465-205 (long but cheap)
420-205 (?)

thanks alot for all the help

The 420/300 vs the 465/300 - not much difference in price - the adapter is the same for both (pretty much). There is no 420/205 combo in existence - save for divorced 205 units, which you dont want. Basically you are looking at $150 for either tranny, $250 for a D300, $150/$200 for a 205, $450 to $550 for a D300 adapter depending on which one you get (AA or Novak). Here's another upside to the D300 route - if down the line you want an even better case, the AtlasII will bolt right up where the D300 used to be - no need to buy adapters.

The problem with 420 / 205 is that it was never built.
All SM420's in 4x4's had a divorced t-case. Not good in a short wheelbase TLC.
465 / 205 came in all kinds of Chev's in the 70's and 80's which makes it easy and cheap.

Yes you can do a 203/205 doubler. But you have to find the 465/203 adapter.
205 is a big heavy gear driven t-case that is pretty much impossible to destroy.

And pretty much any chev tranny will bolt up to your 350.

Ignoring price, I believe the best combination would be SM465, AA adapter and Atlas II. If the Altas is out of your price range then I would recommend the SM465 + NP205. It is not any longer than the NV4500 - TLC 3-speed transfer case in my FJ40. The centered output does pose some driveshaft issues, however.

As recommended above

SM420 or SM465

to

Dana 300

You need the adapter but you always have the option of 4 to 1 gears in that case or an ATLAS. In addition, the Dana stock is 2.7 and can be found cheap.

Kman

Thanks for all the great advice.

I was talking to my friend last night and he thought i should go with the 420-205 with the 203 doubler. is that what you were talking about mark or the 465-205 with 203 doubler.

thanks again

SM465/203/205 definately. See Medusa's post on this in the archives.

I run the SM465 to Atlas II, but if I had it to do over I would have done the 203/205 to have the flexibility in gearing.

465/203/205
Run it if you have the room!!!

465/203 adapters are not all that hard to find. There were two for sale last week!!!

one last question. what about the 420 203 205
is that possible, would it work, how much would it cost?

If you are looking at the 203/205 combo, A&B trucks in San Diego has at least pair of SM465/203 combos out back. Saw them when I was looking at an FJ55. It's still pretty short compared to the 465/205 adapter and then you could run the 203/205 adapter and wagoneer machine? gears for the 203(3.6:1)...

6.54*3.6*2=47:1 and if you run 4.88 in axles that is 229:1!!!

Originally posted by TRD
one last question. what about the 420 203 205
is that possible, would it work, how much would it cost?

Not sure what your engine is (F or V8) but in a 40 the length of that drive train would be almost impossible without moving the rear axle way, way, way back. Given the cost of the doubler, it may be more feasible to put the TerraLo gearset in the D300.

Length is certianly a issue with the 6 banger.
That is why I am going to go with a AA rocbox. Supposedly only moves your drivetrain back ~5"...

203/205 is almost impossible with the 6. Although if you copy Frosty's suspension design in the rear you should be able to get a lot more room....

I run a sm420/d300 in the heep.

My only complant is there is no way to clock the 300, It hangs kinda low..

If you run a passenger side diff and try to clock the T-case it will hit the 420 hump..

Steve

Originally posted by Jason M
Length is certianly a issue with the 6 banger.
That is why I am going to go with a AA rocbox. Supposedly only moves your drivetrain back ~5"...

203/205 is almost impossible with the 6. Although if you copy Frosty's suspension design in the rear you should be able to get a lot more room....


I plan on moving my axel back as far as i can (like Frosty maybe) I just need to find someone in the bay area that is comfortable at welding suspension components (i can weld but i don't trust myself enough yet)

I have a 350 which is fairly far forward (i think)