Has anyone found the torque ratings for these two transmissions? I have searched and cant seem to find anything. Thanks

 

Hey 93RT, I went through that search some time ago, could not find a torque rating for the NV2500, just a lot of comments about it being a a very "light duty" transmission. Take that as you will, it apparently was used behind a few V8 trucks, though pre-Magnum only. The stouter NV3500 is rated for up to 300 ft lbs.

 

That is pretty much what I have found as well. I still keep watching craigslist and ebay but have not found anything. I did find a 3500 transmission only on ebay. Wanted $400.00 for it, but it was transmission only. IE no shifter, bell housing, transfer case, etc.
That brings me to my next potential problems.
1. I don't think my transfer case will bolt up to a 3500. (I think) mine is a 21 spline input, and the 3500 is a 23 spline. But this, I am not for sure about.
2. Assuming I need the 231 transfer case in place of my 207, will it have provisions for a mechanical speedometer?
3. Will my shifter bolt up to the 3500?
4. Will the 3500 bolt up to the 87 bellhousing?


These are just some of the potential problems I need to try to get answers to, before I start buying parts for the conversion. I would love to go ahead and do the transmission swap with a motor swap, just not for sure what all I am getting into.

 

1. I don't think my transfer case will bolt up to a 3500. (I think) mine is a 21 spline input, and the 3500 is a 23 spline. But this, I am not for sure about.
I'm not sure about which transmission & T-case you have, but I can tell you that the T-case from my old NV2500 (A535) 5 speed bolted up fine to the NV3500 I found from a 4WD Dakota. If you have a NV/NP2500 trans, I would think it would use the same input shaft, but again, not sure.

2. Assuming I need the 231 transfer case in place of my 207, will it have provisions for a mechanical speedometer?
It will as long as you get a 94 or earlier Dodge T-case (NP231D).
3. Will my shifter bolt up to the 3500?
Yes! The shaft screws right on to the NV3500, as long as the trans came out out of a Dakota. The full size Ram version of the NV3500 uses a different attachment method and is farther forward on the trans.
4. Will the 3500 bolt up to the 87 bellhousing?
No, the NV3500 is a one piece transmission and bellhousing - they don't separate. The NV3500 will bolt up to your engine block just fine though.

The fact that the NV3500 doesn't have a separate bellhousing is what made me decide to do the engine and trans swap at the same time. It looked like a lot of trouble to put the NV3500 in later, so I bit the bullet. Good news is it wasn't hard to make it work.

 

Ragged89, what did you use for the clutch assembly, flywheel, and hydraulics? I have a factory service manual, so I will try to verify the 21 or 23 tooth input. Thanks for your advice.
BTW, if I came across a 5.9 magnum at a good price, would it be much different to install? I would think it would be the same if I get a complete engine with a magnum 5.9 flywheel.

 

Since my trans was bolted to a 5.2 in a '97 Dakota originally, I just purchased parts to fit a '97 Dak V8 4WD 5 speed (NV3500). Those parts were: a flywheel, clutch assembly, release bearing, and because my 5.2 actually had an automatic connected to it originally, a pilot bearing & sleeve.

The hydraulics from my truck's original NV2500 seem to work fine. All I had to do was trim a little bit of material off the slave cylinder mounting flange (it's plastic) to clear the bell housing.

The 5.9 would differ from the above only with regard to the flywheel. Everything else would be the same.

 

Ragged89, I found a 94 Dakota v8 5spd 4wd transmission, semi local to me, for $400.00 I am thinking that the first of the week, going to get it. That would eliminate some worry about the drivetrain everytime I get on it a little!! Thanks for all your advice, and I will let you know if I get it.

 

Great! I'd definitely like to know if you get it and how your installation and setup goes.

I'm in the process of tearing down my T-case right now, in between out-of-town trips. It has a lot of miles on it, but once inside I saw that the wear wasn't as bad as I expected. It was clean, and while the chain was loose, it wasn't slapping the case. A couple of bearings are noisy when you turn them, so I'm ordering a rebuild kit and chain. I'd like to order it tonight but I won't be here to receive it in a few days so I'm gonna have to hold off a little longer. This is one s-l-o-w process when your time is limited.

 

I just wanted to update this. But I did not get the transmission. They wanted 400 for it, which wasn't too bad, but it had 224,000 miles. Since I am not pushed to get it yet, I figure I will keep looking.

 

I've been interested to see if that trans worked out for you. I can understand why you didn't go thru with it, 224K is definitely well-used territory. $300 to $500 seems to the price range for used ones. I think I paid $400 for mine, from a wrecked truck with about 90K on it. Hang in there, you'll find one if you keep watching.