Total change of plans?

[Jester]

I had originally thought I would go with a 6.2 diesel and a SM465. That changed to a 4BT and a Spicer - then to a AMC 360 with the SM465. Now Fisherman has thrown a wrench into the works. He called me and said he saw a Buick 350 with a TH400 for sale.

I am really confused now I already have a 2wd SM465 sitting in the shop and a divorced NP205 waiting at 503M715's house. Do I scrap all that and go with the Buick/TH400? Put a married 205 behind it? 203/205 combo to get low back?

[moosejr]

You looking for opinions? ? ?. . .personally, I would go with the Buick over the AMC, . .I think it is a better engine in many respects, . .but personal preference plays in here, ..auto vs. stick, . .etc. My favorite out of your whole list would be the 4bt and spicer, . . but economics always rears it's ugly head. . ..lol

[Jester]

My favorite out of your whole list would be the 4bt and spicer, . . but economics always rears it's ugly head. . ..lol

That is why I gave up on that idea. Can buy a lot of extras and gas for the price of that conversion.

The stick vs auto debate is a biggie as well. I have had both in rigs in the past and can see the +/- of each. Nothing as big as the M truck though.

[fisherman]

You wouldn't be losing any low. You still have 5.87 gears and low range. How slow do you want to go? Do you think you'll need to go slower than that? Pretty darned slow even with the auto. It would be a good option for next to nothing in cost. Not sure I would use the doubler unless it can give you a lower low and a higher hiway speed. Doesn't someone make low gearsets for a 205? We could measure the length, you might be able to still use the divorced 205, if not married cases seem to be easier to come by. Depending on which buick 350 it is anywhere from 230 hp to 280 were factory hp specs. I think he said it was 2 barrel. My 350 has a factory 4 barrel intake. They are both plenty peppy and make great torque. If you decide to do it, we could do all the drive train stuff one time and be done.

[fisherman]

Another thought? Maybe Lakewood makes a bellhousing to use your 465? with that buick 350.

[fisherman]

Almost forgot, you have to give Saxon credit for the wrench in the scheme of things.

[saxon]

So that was an automatic,, Yes there is a low 1st gear set for the 400's and the turbo 400 is proably the toughest light auto out there. Talk to Kevin,or Randy about thier auto conversion for off road, pretty hard to beat, though I hav'nt had my new toy off road I think a low geared automatic rig in standard low range will go anywhere these things are phisically (realistically) able to go. The buick is a good engine, lots more nickle in them than most chevys.

[saxon]

If you want to go stick, go with a standard passenger hump (starter relief)buick bellhousing, and a ford T-18 6:1 tranny. Slight mods and it falls in there, you can mate the ford t-18 front shaft to the stock m-truck t-98 (like Todd & I) but ford and jeep syncro's are'nt cut zactly the same. There might be something that can be done about that. But with the ford t-18 you get the short front shaft you need for the GM 11" clutch. Or just modicate the crossmember to fit the ford rear mount. The jeep shifter/cover bolts on that gives you the lever mounts ( I think)

[Overfiend]

In mine I have the 350 /th350 and a divorced tcase just need a short shaft th350 npnp ..

[saxon]

Again MHO, keep it simple go t-400/married 205 and re sell that gm 4 spd, they're nothing special.