79 Dodge tranny revisited

fixerupper · Sep 22, 2015

I did some Googling about the NP445B tranny in my 79 Dodge and found out it is hard to find for a Dodge with 4WD because it was an optional transmission. The version I have was used only in 4WD Dodges from 1975-1979 and mated only to the NP203 transfer case. This tranny is synchroed in all four gears and fourth gear is 1:1. Different versions of this tranny are used in Fords, Chevies and a few Jeeps.

So, it looks like I need one from a 75-79 4WD Dodge only to get one with the right ratios. Also, I saw no listing for the B version. I found A,D, and I think F but no B. Looks like I need to start hunting soon.

fixerupper · Sep 22, 2015

How in the world did this double post happen? (Sigh)

M-MAN · Sep 23, 2015

Try car-part.com.

fixerupper · Sep 23, 2015

Car-part lists a couple of them within 150 miles.

mattwillson · Sep 23, 2015

The np445 is a heavier duty, slower 1st
and 2nd gear trans. I have one from a '76
wrecker package d300 2wd. A np435 should
fairly easy to find still. Might b wise to
get one with the bell housing on it,
something tells me that the pilot shaft
o.d.,is a little bit different. Aluminum
bell housing on the '80's will work with
the 12" clutch from the '70's. Hope this
helps a bit.

fixerupper · Sep 23, 2015

Judging from what I read it could have four different ratios. Mine should have a 4:56 first gear instead of the 6:?? Slow granny. From what I understand I need to find one out of a W series from 1975 to 1979 but some listings show 1974-1980, to avoid having to change input/output shafts. Again, the information I have is only from what I have read and not from hands on experience.

How I got that face in place of the first question mark is beyond me! I will not edit out.

Greg K · Sep 23, 2015

No experience here either. From what I have
read on forums and such it sounds like from
74 to 80, which explains why it was not in
my service manual. The one forum I did look
ato gave a list of the various optional 4
speeds that went like this.
NP 435. Heavy duty. 6.68:1 (ns) 3.34:1 1.
66:1 1:1
NP 435. HEAVY DUTY. 6.68:1 (ns) 2.39:1
1.37:1 1:1
NP 445. Medium duty. 4.56:1 (ns) 2.28:1
1.31:1 1:1
MP 435. Heavy duty. 6.68:1 (ns) 3.34:1
1.57:1 1:1 used in jeep and Ford
The ns means non synchro which conflicts
with what you say about yours, but could
explain the b on the end. Sounds like they
used them in ram chargers and with the high
first maybe more emissions friendly?
Long story short, I'm not much help.

beastlybirdie · Sep 23, 2015

As I understand it, the np435 is a 6.xx non synchro 1st, with a 1.6 3rd(usually)
Np445 was a 4.xx synchro 1st with a 1.3 3rd. Also known on occasion as a 4350, I think.
If you have the 203 tc, which you should in a 79, the output or mate is different than any other tc. Same goes for the front axle, as they are fulltime. Personally, I'm not a fan of the fulltime setup, so, if you're willing to do some changes, a 445+205/208 with locking front axle might be a better choice. The cab and chassis trucks often came with a 435 that had the 1.3 3rd gear, but non synchro 1st. Hope this helps, ramcharger central is a great place for information. I have a 74 w300 with the 435/divorced 205, like an ugly truckling, so I get to use the 2wd trans.

Hobo,NC · Sep 23, 2015

Google Rockland Standard Gear are call them...

beastlybirdie · Sep 23, 2015

Oh, and, if you don't already know, mopars from the 60s and 70s have nothing to do with the published literature. Many things that were supposedly unavailable could be had by a big dealer, things were made for other industries, etc. I have a 440 sixpack from a boat that's going in my Roadrunner, had a build sheet in my 68 charger ordered with 440, 4-speed, air conditioning, etc. From 75-79, there's trucks with divorced trans cases (never seen one, but like I said, it's mopar, so who knows) Jensens also got 440/6 pack setups in 73?

ss55 · Sep 23, 2015

Dumb question:
What is the advantage of the close ratio transmission over the wide ratio unit? Most people preferred the wider ratio units, why not swap in a wider ratio transmission into the truck? Is sounds like a wider ratio transmission would be easier to find, cost less and take less labor to simply swap transmissions rather than rebuild the old one on a 37 year old truck. I'm just curious what the advantage is to justify the extra time and extra cost.

fixerupper · Sep 23, 2015

This close ratio tranny has a faster granny gear. The gear ratios being closer together doesnt affect me much because i dont pull loads with it any more. Also, I dont need a slow granny to start a big load.

And as far as being a 37 year old truck, yes it is old. LOL It's one of those things where we don't know where to stop. Last winter I put a lot of work and a little money into it replacing the floor panels, rocker panels, cab corners plus more. It's the only four wheel drive pickup I have and is the service truck for the farm and my son's trucking company. My son tells me I can't get rid of it because it is the pickup he grew up with. Maybe when it comes time to drop this tranny HE can do the work. LOL
Oh yes, to add insult to injury, I have a new heater core ordered. The old one got to dripping on me. That happened a few hours before the tranny problem developed.

mattwillson · Sep 23, 2015

I don't believe the input shaft and pilot
bushing changed, just the pilot on the
trans for the bell. I do know a np435 out
of a chebbie is a bit different as far as
the bell housing to trans..and input shaft
and carrier are wrong too..i tried that
combo once....would've been nice to have a
205 t-case

tomNE · Sep 23, 2015

(quoted from post at 03:28:12 09/24/15) I don't believe the input shaft and pilot
bushing changed, just the pilot on the
trans for the bell. I do know a np435 out
of a chebbie is a bit different as far as
the bell housing to trans..and input shaft
and carrier are wrong too..i tried that
combo once....would've been nice to have a
205 t-case

74's would be ramcharger only. the pickups had an unmarried tranny and case thru 74. finding a 4speed one of those is tuff.

Jeff B. · Sep 24, 2015

Even in the years they were used, the 445 transmissions were very uncommon. A 435 New Process from nearly any year Dodge mated up to a 203 would be lots easier to find, and nearly a drop in fit.

IaLeo · Sep 24, 2015

Thread is kinda old, but I want to dis Dodge for what that brand did to me. '90 Dakota, extended cab, full sized box, looked nice, no rust, rode great. Two 4 cyl engines, three trannys, and it had to be offed before 100K, before another 5 speed stick tranny. Two/three family owner/drivers, lots of open road, but some LA traffic. Once, after buying the "thing" from daughter the coil wire fell out of the firewall mounted coil due to engine vibration, left me stranded along a road for the first time (and last time) in my 50+ years of driving. Never a Dodge again. One tranny repair included towing it from Green River, WY to Waterloo, Iowa with an unexpected stopover in Fort ? Colorado due to tow dolly tire blow out in the middle of the night and lug nuts so tight I could not break them loose. The things we do for our dear daughters!

Also never a VW since 1965. Two beetles, need I say more? Leo

79 Dodge tranny revisited

fixerupper

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M-MAN

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