transmission's and T-cases - Interchangability

["Mad Max"]

Howdy folks',



To make a hugely long story short, can anyone tell me if a NP205 (originally mated to an '93 A518 auto) can be bolted to the back of a NV4500 5-speed? Are there adaptors available for that swap? Is there any voodoo involved?



I am looking to convert my '93 CTD/auto 2x4 over to a NV4500 5-speed 4x4 (I don't need the 5600). I was planning to do the full-boogie 2nd gen auto conversion, and already have both a 47RE from a '98 CTD/auto and a NP205 from a '92 CTD/auto. But, my needs have changed slightly and I've decided to go with a stick, so, I want to use the NP205 (originally mated to the 46RH) and bolt it up instead to the back of a NV4500, get the bellhousing, pedals, clutch system, etc etc, and toss it all into my '93. The work is easy; it's the feasibality study that I need answers to.



So, any wisdom on the adaptability would be very much appreciated.



Thanks all,

- Sam

 

[CBorzoni]

I installed a Np 205 in my suburban mated to a nv5600. No it will not directly bolt up. You will need a np 205 out of a getrag 5 speed for it to work or you will need to have the case opened up for a larger bearing and remove the out putshaft from the t-case and replace with a ( i beileve) it's been awhile 29 spline shaft. I had about $350 in machine work to set up my auto np205 t-case for the 29 spline output shaft to mate to my nv5600. The spline on the auto t-case is 23 spline i bieleve or you could find or have someone make if possible a sleeve that goes from 23 to 29 spline? I tried to find a 205 t-case out of a 5 speed getrag and had no luck so i went to the machine shop. Good Luck chris Oo.

 

[dpuckett]

i know the autos and sticks had different spline counts. Not to say there isnt an adaptor sleeve/ coupler out there... ... ALso, I know you will need to contact Advance Adaptors, et al, to get an adaptor for the NV4500 to the NP205.



Daniel

 

["Mad Max"]

I know there's been a lot of discussion about the 5th gear nut coming loose on the 4500's. Is there a particular year I should look for that would be good to go, and/or an aftermarket source for a fresh 4500 with all the 'upgrades' done? Maybe Geno's?

Sounds like I'll need to source a 205 from behind a Getrag, or, modify a 205 to fit the Getrag, both of which will fit the 4500?

Again, thanks.

- Sam

 

[CBorzoni]

Mad Max,

I bought my transmission from Standard Transmission they build a good reman unit with all of the updates. I think any of the reputable builders out there will have the same options as the fix for the nut on the 5th gear. I looked every where for an adapter of the two differnet splines and could not source it anywhere. It is not in demand enough for someone to tool up and build enough adapters to make it worth while your only options are to have the existing auto np205 reworked or find a np205 out of a getrag but good luck not impossible though i would post over in the wanted ads. you will need a few items for the coversion if you google or use whatever search engine you like there is endless info out there. Let me know if you have any more questions and i would be happy to help.



later chris

 

[WJones]

Take a look at quad4x4 they have the kit to change the np205 from 23 to 29 spline aswell as an assortment of nv4500 parts.

 

[CBorzoni]

I checked them out it looks like the kit you need is almost $600 I know you can find a used 205 somewhere if you wait and look around check the internet for salvage yards and start calling. Good luck.

 

[sdstriper]

I know there's been a lot of discussion about the 5th gear nut coming loose on the 4500's. Is there a particular year I should look for that would be good to go, and/or an aftermarket source for a fresh 4500 with all the 'upgrades' done? Maybe Geno's?

Sounds like I'll need to source a 205 from behind a Getrag, or, modify a 205 to fit the Getrag, both of which will fit the 4500?

Again, thanks.

- Sam

I cringe at the thought of 5th gear failure on these transmissions as well as the price of the upgrade... These guys really know their stuff, Torque King upgrade I believe, check it out.



http://www.quad4x4.com/index.html

 

["Mad Max"]

Well since I have a 205 from an auto I figure I should just use it instead of finding one from a Getrag. That means going with the 23 spline vice the 29 spline. But here's the real question - has anyone ever known anyone to ever break the input shaft on any 205, 23 or 29 spline?

- M2

 

[MMiller]

That means going with the 23 spline vice the 29 spline. But here's the real question - has anyone ever known anyone to ever break the input shaft on any 205, 23 or 29 spline?

- M2

In a true street truck, highly unlikely. They are broken in pulling trucks, gassers mostly, when you get around the 800 hp level. About the only problems I have heard about 205's behind cummins trucks is the splined adapter. I've read of a few that have worn the splines out, however I've now seen mine after 230,000 miles of abuse, and it showed no wear. I've seen another in a 90/getrag with high milage and no wear.



The only thing I wonder is, why is manual 205's differnt then autos? Was it because the torque rating through the getrag needed to be higher? IMHO, I'd make sure the 205 had the big shaft behind a manual.



Also IMHO the NV4500 with a properly installed upgrade will hold 5th gear. It only took my brother about 5 times to get his to hold, but then its been good. And he tows in OD.



Do you have a 518 diesel 4x4 trans, or the 46rh? Any future plans for it? I'm looking for an OD auto, possibly with lockup convertor to eventually replace the 727 in my 90.



Michael

 

["Mad Max"]

Mike,



Actually I have a 47RE (2nd gen) trans from a '98 CTD, and a 1st gen 205 from a 46RH. In order to bolt the two together, however, you need a 1st gen overdrive 4x4 tailhousing so the 205 will 'clock' to the correct side for a 1st gen. I got this 47 w/o the 2nd gen tailhousing; I wasn't going to use it anyway. DTT was going to build the transmission, and they have 1st gen OD's in stock built to their specs (larger oil passeges, tighter clearances, the works), and they were going to build the 47RE, convert it to full hydraulic with the valvebody and other parts from my 46RH, add their od, and bolt up my 205, and presto - instant 1st gen fully hydraulic and bulletproof auto, with lockup comverter. Sounds like a lot of voodoo, but DTT does this stuff in their sleep. The hard part was finding the cores, and that's what I'm selling. I'd take $750 for everything I have for the 2nd gen swap, including the 205, converter, linkage, and the bellhousing adaptor - got it all, plus whatever freight would be.



- Sam