has anyone installed gearvendors overdrive with there sm465

[HotRodPC]

Just get an NV 4500 and call it a day.

That is true too. The adapters are a bit of an expense, but it's been done. Last guy I know who did it, said he bought the trans used out of a later model truck, then spent another $600 in everything else like clutch, adapters for his Tcase etc for a total of $1100. He sold me his BellHousing, Clutch, SM465 and NP208 Adapter for $50 and I put the SM465 w adapter on CL and got $100 for it and kept the Bellhousing and clutch.

 

[Jims86]

That is true too. The adapters are a bit of an expense, but it's been done. Last guy I know who did it, said he bought the trans used out of a later model truck, then spent another $600 in everything else like clutch, adapters for his Tcase etc for a total of $1100. He sold me his BellHousing, Clutch, SM465 and NP208 Adapter for $50 and I put the SM465 w adapter on CL and got $100 for it and kept the Bellhousing and clutch.

Most guys dont sneez at $1100 for ******** like Quads, Guns/ hunting equipment, and other recreational stuff, yet you still hear them bitch about how exspensive gas is to get all their stuff to the playground. Looks like he had his priorities in order.

 

[HotRodPC]

Most guys dont sneez at $1100 for ******** like Quads, Guns/ hunting equipment, and other recreational stuff, yet you still hear them bitch about how exspensive gas is to get all their stuff to the playground. Looks like he had his priorities in order.

True. If an NV4500 could get you 2-3 more mpg, and you drive it ofen enough, $1100 isn't much. Not to mention, your motor lasting a bit longer too.

 

[Masstowingllc]

I have a sm465 and I was wondering if there was something that you install on drive shaft to get a overdrive

 

[HotRodPC]

I have a sm465 and I was wondering if there was something that you install on drive shaft to get a overdrive

Not that I'm aware of or have heard of.

 

[kickdeez]

Bringing this thread back from the dead...

Has anyone installed the Ranger Torque Splitter in front of a SM465? I am weighing my options between this and a NV4500 swap. My current setup is a 454/SM465(hydraulic bellhousing)/NP205. I need an overdrive gear for highway towing.

My research leads me to believe that the Ranger Torque Splitter is the more cost effective option, as there are multiple adapters that would be needed to make the NV4500 work with my existing bellhousing and t-case. There are no adapters needed for the Ranger unit. Drive shaft and cross-member modifications will likely be needed either route, so that is a moot point.

I would love to hear from those that have installed the torque splitter, and those that have done the NV4500 swap...Pros and Cons.

Thanks in advance!

 

[hatzie]

I've done an NV4500 in a 1976 4x4. The cost is well over the $ and time to install a Gear Vendors or Ranger Overdrive on an SM465.
A decent 96+ 4x4 NV4500 cost me $1200. Add in the flywheel and clutch parts. $350. Fab work on the cab and all the little bits and pieces... My time... If you're being honest with yourself that's not free...
I used a hydraulic clutch pedal set and Clutch master cylinder setup from a 1985-91 manual transmission square. After I got the pedals and support struts to the clutch master mounting hole installed I still had to marry the 86 clutch master to the NV4500 clutch slave.
I did use a $400 government surplus 32 spline RH drop NP208 that bolted up rather than an NP205 that would've cost a bunch more for the adapter kit.
Several weeks/months of fiddly work.

I had to replace both driveshafts to fit my NV4500. $450 The Gear Vendors unit only requires that you shorten the rear driveshaft. The Ranger pushes the transmission back so you have to shorten the rear driveshaft and lengthen the front driveshaft.

The gearing in the NV4500 is pretty much the same as an SM465 with an overdrive unit. It's only a 5 speed if you count all the gears. Low, 3 forward gears, and Overdrive.

 

[kickdeez]

Thanks for the input. That is generally the conclusion I came to. I am in a little bit different spot than you were, as I already have all the pedal and hydraulic components in place on my truck. What kills it for me is adapting the trans to the existing bellhousing and NP205. There are several different ways to make the NV4500 work with my existing components, but when I compare it to just throwing in the Ranger (less than half the price of the Gear Vendors), it ends up being significantly more work and money to do the NV4500.

 

[kickdeez]

I would still love to hear from anyone that installed a Ranger Torque Splitter. Anyone here done it? Looking for the good, the bad, and the ugly.

 

[DoubleDingo]

I have one for my sm420, but haven't installed it. I've read a couple threads from guys that did the swap and loved it. The only issue I recall is the added rotating mass made shifting a little more difficult, but with some practice, getting the rpm's to match didn't put as bad of a strain on the synchros. Whenever I get tired of column-shifting my Saginaw 3 speed with overdrive, I will be installing my Ranger-OD/Gear Splitter with my sm420. Mine is 2wd, so only one driveshaft to shorten. I bought my Ranger years ago, so I don't remember how much I paid for it, I do know it was around $1,000, maybe in the $1100 range. I think they're $1300 now. I designed a bracket that helped support the Ranger and transmission since the sm420 weighs around 150 pounds and doesn't have a transmission mount so it just hangs there. I didn't want the extra weight of the Ranger and transmission hanging off the bellhousing. So it will have 3 sets of mounts, engine, bellhousing, and ranger. Should be a stout setup once it's done.

 

[kickdeez]

Thanks for the info. That does sound like a pretty solid setup. I have seen them for around $1300 with free shipping. I have read that the Rangers have a tendency to whine in overdrive. I wonder how bearable or unbearable it is. Can anyone comment on the noise?