looking at an 82 3/4 ton dodge, how durable are these drivetrains??? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Honky Lips · 02-18-2006, 07:44 AM

I am looking at a friends 82 dodge 3/4 ton, it has a body off a 92 3/4 ton, it has a big block in it, dana h.d. 44 front axle and dana 60 rear axle. 3 speed tranny with granny low, dont know which transfer case is in it havent looked yet. body is rust free, only problem is a dent in the rear box corner, accidently jacknifed a dirtbike trailer. it needs a new seat, new door seals, and thats about it. my plans are to lift it, lock the rear, posi on the front, 38" tires, and body armor. it already has either 4.11 or 3.73 gears, im thinking more toward 4.11, cant remember though. This truck will be used in the nevada desert going through washes and climbing rocky hills and mountains. Some of the trails in the mountains have some good sized boulders and washes, so the suspension will have to articulate a good deal. So whats everyones opinion? will this truck hold up or will i be doing a complete drivetrain swap and breaking everything? thanks for the help guys.

Elwenil · 02-18-2006, 09:26 AM

Ahhh, this is almost heaven. An actual question about a Dodge with rock crawling intentions. I will happily give whatever information I can for this, so here goes:

An 82' W250 should have a nice non-CAD front D44 with disc brakes. It's about as strong as any other D44 and will take moderate wheeling with no trouble. Rear is as you have stated, a D60 and I probably don;t need to sing the praises of the D60 here. Trans is most likely a NP435 4 speed and is very durable. Transfer case should be a mated NP205 which is also self explanatory. I think the 205 will be 32 spline also. Which big block? All of them are good, no real drawbacks to a Mopar big block except gas mileage. 383s and 400s are good, well balanced engines, while the 440s are full of torque but can be pricey to build.

About the only thing I can think of to improve a truck like this is either trash the bed an go semi-tube or bob it. A D60 front axle would also be nice to have. Just my .02

Honky Lips · 02-18-2006, 09:39 AM

the big block, the big daddy 440. put about 550 to the ground when fresh, has some miles on it, but no loss for power. anyone else have tips or opinions?

GRMhick · 02-18-2006, 10:50 AM

this sounds like a real bastardized truck, so it will be hard to form opinions on it without knowing more about it (and pictures)

Just know this would be a great truck, but I have only seen a few that can go fast in the desert, or go rockcrawling. But it does sound like a good multi-purpose light-duty trail rig.

Honky Lips · 02-18-2006, 12:12 PM

its not going to go fast in the desert, just u and down hills and ledges, the only changed thing is the new body on it, and it was done right. the guy who owned it is a mechanic and so am i. so i know its quality work.

Davethorik · 02-18-2006, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elwenil

Transfer case should be a mated NP205 which is also self explanatory. I think the 205 will be 32 spline also.

I've never heard of a Dodge 32 spline NP205 input? Also, aren't dodge input splines somethin like 23? thirdly, shouldnt the xfer be a 208?

don't mean to bust yer balls, I just don't know much about dodges and tryin to get my facts straight.

3/4tonYJ · 02-19-2006, 01:23 AM

my '84 W250 has a fixed yoke NP208 transfercase, (along with a NP453 tranny like yours), is you transfercase alluminum?
anyway this is a fine combo for wheeling/driving. i'd double check you your gear ratio....mine is 3.54

as far a 38" tires on a 44 front go, it will last a long time and the street. BUT you start wheeling in hard and it will begin breaking parts.

as said before........pictures would help us form an opinion.....

GRMhick · 02-19-2006, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dnchevyman

its not going to go fast in the desert, just u and down hills and ledges, the only changed thing is the new body on it, and it was done right. the guy who owned it is a mechanic and so am i. so i know its quality work.

He changed alot more if it has a big block in it. Last big block that came in a dodge truck was in 1978. Thats why I say its anyones guess as far as what the drivetrain is. As far as I know, it has a 440/np435/np203 out of a 75 ramcharger, or it could have some other big block bolted up to the stock np435/np208. Or maybe it has the 92 trans with the hydrolic clutch. Or maybe the engine is bored and stroked so it has big block displacment (408).

Its very possible it was all done right, but you really have no idea what the drivetrain is.

Also remember, what was considered being 'done right' 5 or 10 years ago, doesnt necessarally apply today.

jedrattle · 02-19-2006, 08:23 AM

Transfer case could be anything with the drive line change. If the guy who built was a mechanic, he should know what the transfer case is. It could be a 383 or 400 engine. Ask him what the drive line specs are. That will help us help you. 38's on a 44 are really pushing it. I have 36's on my 44 axle with a detriot and 4:56's. I don't run the Hammers or hardcore stuff like that (YET) but I have broken ujoints and ears on the axles doing some good wheeling. 38's will increase the breakage factor. Breaking shit is the driver knowing what he is doing or not doing right. Throw the bed away. It will be in the way.

Elwenil · 02-19-2006, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davethorik

I've never heard of a Dodge 32 spline NP205 input? Also, aren't dodge input splines somethin like 23? thirdly, shouldnt the xfer be a 208?

don't mean to bust yer balls, I just don't know much about dodges and tryin to get my facts straight.

I guess anything is possible, but we have an '82 W250 in our junkyard that has a NP205 with the NP435. After checking the Parts Manual, it seems you are correct. I guess the 205 was swapped out of something else. My mind must be in the early 70's when everything came with a 205, even the 1/2 tons, lol. And yes the input should be 23 spline, I was thinking of my 205s again which are divorced.

I guess I was overwhelmed by the actual tech post in all the noob BS...

GRMhick · 02-19-2006, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elwenil

I guess anything is possible, but we have an '82 W250 in our junkyard that has a NP205 with the NP435. After checking the Parts Manual, it seems you are correct. I guess the 205 was swapped out of something else. My mind must be in the early 70's when everything came with a 205, even the 1/2 tons, lol. And yes the input should be 23 spline, I was thinking of my 205s again which are divorced.

I guess I was overwhelmed by the actual tech post in all the noob BS...

74's were divorsed 205's.

all 81-93 208;s and 205 interchange.

Honky Lips · 02-19-2006, 03:12 PM

the only thing changed on the truck is the 92 front grille, and the 440 big block. drivetrain is as follows-- 440,dana 44, 3spd w/granny low tranny, np 208 xfer case, dana 60 rear. the only change was pulling the 318 and installing the 440. the guy that owns this truck built the motor and is an engine assembler at kroyer engines, they build the motors for the nascar craftsman truck team i work for. and it has 4.11 gears.

02-18-2006, 07:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
Honky Lips you pinko commie fag Join Date: Feb 2006 Member # 67732 Location: omaha, ne Posts: 591	looking at an 82 3/4 ton dodge, how durable are these drivetrains??? I am looking at a friends 82 dodge 3/4 ton, it has a body off a 92 3/4 ton, it has a big block in it, dana h.d. 44 front axle and dana 60 rear axle. 3 speed tranny with granny low, dont know which transfer case is in it havent looked yet. body is rust free, only problem is a dent in the rear box corner, accidently jacknifed a dirtbike trailer. it needs a new seat, new door seals, and thats about it. my plans are to lift it, lock the rear, posi on the front, 38" tires, and body armor. it already has either 4.11 or 3.73 gears, im thinking more toward 4.11, cant remember though. This truck will be used in the nevada desert going through washes and climbing rocky hills and mountains. Some of the trails in the mountains have some good sized boulders and washes, so the suspension will have to articulate a good deal. So whats everyones opinion? will this truck hold up or will i be doing a complete drivetrain swap and breaking everything? thanks for the help guys.

02-18-2006, 09:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
Elwenil Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Member # 41063 Location: Covington, VA Posts: 5,789	Ahhh, this is almost heaven. An actual question about a Dodge with rock crawling intentions. I will happily give whatever information I can for this, so here goes: An 82' W250 should have a nice non-CAD front D44 with disc brakes. It's about as strong as any other D44 and will take moderate wheeling with no trouble. Rear is as you have stated, a D60 and I probably don;t need to sing the praises of the D60 here. Trans is most likely a NP435 4 speed and is very durable. Transfer case should be a mated NP205 which is also self explanatory. I think the 205 will be 32 spline also. Which big block? All of them are good, no real drawbacks to a Mopar big block except gas mileage. 383s and 400s are good, well balanced engines, while the 440s are full of torque but can be pricey to build. About the only thing I can think of to improve a truck like this is either trash the bed an go semi-tube or bob it. A D60 front axle would also be nice to have. Just my .02 __________________ 1988 Dodge AW450 Ramcharger - 318TBI - NP435 - NP205 - D60s

02-19-2006, 01:23 AM	#7 (permalink)
3/4tonYJ Granite Guru Join Date: Jul 2000 Member # 1375 Location: Central, PA. Posts: 690	my '84 W250 has a fixed yoke NP208 transfercase, (along with a NP453 tranny like yours), is you transfercase alluminum? anyway this is a fine combo for wheeling/driving. i'd double check you your gear ratio....mine is 3.54 as far a 38" tires on a 44 front go, it will last a long time and the street. BUT you start wheeling in hard and it will begin breaking parts. as said before........pictures would help us form an opinion..... __________________ www.52 Ford F-3.com

02-19-2006, 08:23 AM	#9 (permalink)
jedrattle Rock God Join Date: Aug 2003 Member # 21750 Location: Riverside SoCal Posts: 1,485	Transfer case could be anything with the drive line change. If the guy who built was a mechanic, he should know what the transfer case is. It could be a 383 or 400 engine. Ask him what the drive line specs are. That will help us help you. 38's on a 44 are really pushing it. I have 36's on my 44 axle with a detriot and 4:56's. I don't run the Hammers or hardcore stuff like that (YET) but I have broken ujoints and ears on the axles doing some good wheeling. 38's will increase the breakage factor. Breaking shit is the driver knowing what he is doing or not doing right. Throw the bed away. It will be in the way. __________________ Team RattleKann ROCKBRAWLERS

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02-18-2006, 09:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
Honky Lips you pinko commie fag Join Date: Feb 2006 Member # 67732 Location: omaha, ne Posts: 591	the big block, the big daddy 440. put about 550 to the ground when fresh, has some miles on it, but no loss for power. anyone else have tips or opinions?

02-18-2006, 10:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
GRMhick Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 87 Location: I live in hotels tear out the walls I have accountants pay for it all Posts: 7,203	this sounds like a real bastardized truck, so it will be hard to form opinions on it without knowing more about it (and pictures) Just know this would be a great truck, but I have only seen a few that can go fast in the desert, or go rockcrawling. But it does sound like a good multi-purpose light-duty trail rig.

02-18-2006, 12:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
Honky Lips you pinko commie fag Join Date: Feb 2006 Member # 67732 Location: omaha, ne Posts: 591	its not going to go fast in the desert, just u and down hills and ledges, the only changed thing is the new body on it, and it was done right. the guy who owned it is a mechanic and so am i. so i know its quality work.

02-19-2006, 03:12 PM	#12 (permalink)
Honky Lips you pinko commie fag Join Date: Feb 2006 Member # 67732 Location: omaha, ne Posts: 591	the only thing changed on the truck is the 92 front grille, and the 440 big block. drivetrain is as follows-- 440,dana 44, 3spd w/granny low tranny, np 208 xfer case, dana 60 rear. the only change was pulling the 318 and installing the 440. the guy that owns this truck built the motor and is an engine assembler at kroyer engines, they build the motors for the nascar craftsman truck team i work for. and it has 4.11 gears.