Drivetrain Options (4x4) Np435, nv4500, or automatic?

[67ford]

Hi all,

I haven't really introduced myself. My name is Mark, and I live in Northern California. I mostly just read the post here looking for information. I have a 1967 F250 4x4 that I've been building into a wheeler (mostly for snow and rough mountain roads, but I wouldn't rule out eventually running trails like the Rubicon and/or Fordyce).

So far I've changed the engine to a 460, changed the axles to a 78/79 hp60 in the front and 14 bolt rear with 5.13 gears (arb front, detroit rear). I'm running 39.5 irok tires now but I might go to 42s next. I've got the original np435 (needs a rebuild i guess, seems like there is no synchro in second) and divorced spicer 24 now. I have a line on a rebuilt 435 with a married 203 doubler to a 205. I like the idea of going to a married setup and going to a newer transfer case. It's coming out of another ford truck, and the deal includes the crossmember and shift lever linkage (the 205 is twin sticked already). I'm just not 100% sold on the np435. It's what I am running now and I like it, especially the granny first, but I'd consider an automatic or a nv4500.

What do you all think? The nv4500 would be a deluxe choice and I know where I can get one that's freshly rebuilt with a 203 doubler, the adapter and a 205 but no bellhousing and no shift linkage or levers, and he wants $3200 (more than twice what I can get the np435/203/205 and it comes with everything I need). Are nv4500s really worth the money? I've never driven one. I guess the overdrive isn't really that important to me, although I do drive my truck on the highway.

What about an automatic? Would a C6 be a good way to go? How do they compare to th400s(is there even a reasonable way to bolt a th400 to a ford big block?) I haven't even really looked at automatics. I just want to look at all my options before I do anything.

Thanks in advance for any opinions/help.

Mark

[Redcap]

The NP435 is a tough as hell, reliable transmission. I wouldn't change it out for the NV4500 due to expense...and I'd NEVER pull a manual trans to replace it with a slushbox.

[67ford]

Oh, and here are a few pictures of my truck:

[Redcap]

Oh, and here are a few pictures of my truck:

Good lookin' truck!

[averagef250]

Great looking truck.

Forget the NV4500 if you have a 460. You can bolt a ZF S5-42 directly behind your 460 and have a much nicer setup. Any Ford 205/203/2356/1345/208 t-case bolts directly to the ZF without any adapter. The stock t-case shifter bolts right up. Even the backup light wiring plugs right in and the transmission rubber mount is the same.

A well built ZF 5 speed shifts nicer than an NV4500 too. The only weaknesses with the ZF are the bellhousing and reverse. If you plan to jump the truck 20 feet into the air, TIG some 1/4" 6061 strips down the top and sides of the bellhousing to reinforce it. Reverse doesn't blow apart or anything, but the synchro hub teeth are too fine in the early 5 speeds and will strip off if you really slam/grind reverse a lot. A really beat down ZF will pop out of reverse now and then.

The best thing about the ZF is it runs on $1.80 a quart ATF, not $15 a quart castrol syntorq like the NV4500. Nothing like an $80 NV4500 oil change after every time you take a dunk in the water. You can run the ZF on regular gear oil too if you want.

[Wes]

Thats a sweet truck 67ford, How much lift or you running to fit those 39.5 ?

[RedneckTexan]

Oh, and here are a few pictures of my truck:

Great lookin truck ya got there! and great axle choices! oh, and IMO, I'd go with the np435/203-205 doubler!

[67ford]

Thanks for the input. I definitely considered going to the ZF after reading your advice averagef250, but I ended up going with the 435/203/205 (package deal with linkage and crossmember). I'm happy as can be. Works awesome. I wheeled through Fordyce (a hard trail i guess) no problems.

Camera battery died, but I'll get better pictures next time:

[67ford]

Wes, not sure of the exact lift, not sure where I started from. Too much lift I'd say. I think lower with trimmed fenders would be better, although the lift sure didn't hurt crossing fordyce creek at 400+ cfm.

[ford4x4fun]

OK I am jealous!!! I miss my truck now and it is all your fault 67Ford... But that is a Kick A$$ Truck right there.