Pros and Cons of Swapping in a NP 435?

My Wife's Uncle Mike recently passed away , and left a shop full of toys behind. I was helping my Father-In-Law go through Mike's shop, and stumbled across a NP 435, recently rebuilt, out of a late '70(?) Ford 3/4 ton. My Father-In-Law said that if I could use it, that I could have it. I checked the Novak site regarding the availablity of adapters to make this tranny work with my planned drivetrain, and everything I need to make it work, Novak has. This is my question: Just because it will work, is it worth it? Are there any problems or querks with this tranny I should know about? What are it's strenghts and weaknesses? Any input put will be greatly appreciated. TIA!!

 

The NP435 is a virtually bulletproof 4 speed like the SM420 and SM465. I have them in both my F350 stakebed and F250 pickup. The big advantage of the 4 speed is the "granny" first gear. It reduces your crawl ratio quite a bit which can be quite advantageous for 'wheeling. You already realize that it's not a direct bolt in application, so that's good. You'll need the adapters, you'll need to modify the driveshaft lengths, as well as probably mess with (bend) the T-case shifters so they don't bind up on the floor. I'd grab it. Even if you don't use it immediately, you can always put it in later.

 

I had thought the only negatives to the NP435 compared to the T-18 are 1) the NP435 is bigger (not sure about this) so your crossmember will hang lower, and 2) you can't convert the NP435 to Jeep use without a commercial adapter, whereas a T-18 (or T-19) Ford transmission can be coupled to a Texas pattern transfer case using the mainshaft and adapter from a Jeep or IH T-18.

 

My '85 Ramcharger came factory with the Dodge NP435. Absolutely loved it. I put over 250K on that truck, the last 100K with hard off road and 35, 37, 38, and 42-inch tires. That tranny never complained, shifted smoothly, and never made a noise. It's my all-time favorite granny-geared truck 4-speed and I've owned/driven all of them.

Other than the case, your Ford version should be the same as my Dodge, with a 6.68:1 First and similar 2nd and 3rd gear ratios.

Do it. You'll like it.

 

i have one in my 67 cj behind a 225 v6.it is a great trans.

 

I have one in a 3/4 ton Ford. I think it is bigger than the T18. Good all around tranny.