Overdrive transmission choices for AMC 401

[Mudrat]

... left hand for shifting and right hand for drinking ....

UMMmmmm Dusty ??? Are you in a right hand drive Jeep that you can use your left hand to shift??? I haven't had to do that since the Moris-Mini in Scotland

Mud

[Lifted79CJ7]

On a right hand drive car - are the pedals reversed as well???

Always wondered....

[Mudrat]

On a right hand drive car - are the pedals reversed as well???

Always wondered....

Not in the UK Mini's anyway.

[Dusty]

... left hand for shifting and right hand for drinking ....

UMMmmmm Dusty ??? Are you in a right hand drive Jeep that you can use your left hand to shift??? I haven't had to do that since the Moris-Mini in Scotland

Mud

Left hand drive, its an art form that takes lots of practice

[Mudrat]

... left hand for shifting and right hand for drinking ....

UMMmmmm Dusty ??? Are you in a right hand drive Jeep that you can use your left hand to shift??? I haven't had to do that since the Moris-Mini in Scotland
Mud

Left hand drive, its an art form that takes lots of practice

Has anybody told you lately your crazy??

Just thought I'd ask

[Dusty]

of course all the time but being called crazy is only a matter of perspective or just raising the bar

Isnt that what Chevy guys always say to us AMCr's anyways "you're crazy to rebuild that boat anchor" as you spank em downt he line

[jeepsr4ever]

The one I love is...AMC ....aint that ford?

[caionneach]

Depending on what route you go with adapters the dodge NV4500 uses a 9 1/4" long input that is 1 1/4" in diameter and the Chevy input is 7" long and 1 1/8" in diameter. on your long wheel base vehicle this doesnt mean much but it is something to keep in mind as the dodge input is significantly stronger.

also the dodge tranny's up to 97 or 98 in gas powered vehicles had a 23 spline output. The dodge diesel's use a large 29 spline The chevy's use a 32 spline output.

[........]

I vote for the nv4500 just be aware that with a dodge input you will have to order a special clutch with a different hub to match. easily done just specify. and if you have the linkage and bellhousing i would do a dodge NV4500 matched to a T176 or T18 bellhousing using your existing linkage etc. If you dont have the linkage i would get the AA bellhousing and either the chevy or dodge nv4500 and then you will have to put the chevy input into the dodge and machine down the input collar. and run a hydraulic clutch. the benifit here is a t-18 clutch for a J truck works

i changed the output in my dodge nv4500 from the big 29 spline to a 23 spline output this also requires a different OD gear both parts were not that expensive and eaily had through inland truck parts up in missoula mt.

As to the 700R4 Paul is right the torque converter does compound the ratio and the 700R4 has a low 1st gear to begin with lower than some other auto's out there. and i believe the number is 20%-25% of the power is lost to parasitic drag correct me if im wrong here. but it is a nice easyt o come by setup. the build up that is necessary to make it last with the torque of the 401 is expensive but well worth the investment if you choose to go that route. dont trust most run of the mill kits nor shops. the 401 shreds these things just like a 454 does when they arent done right

This is very good information. I forgot to mention that I'm keeping the stock NP208 transfer case--no reason not to-- but that makes adapting the 700R4 a little hairy. My goal is to install the 401 with a compatible overdrive tranny and minimize modifying the existing drivetrain. I could do the T-18, the TF727, or the TH400, but my goal is *overdrive.* The NV4500 from a late 90s Dodge looks to be the best route. Unless the output shaft of the 700R4 can be switched out or modified from 27 spline to 23 spline for the NP208, then the NV4500 is the logical best choice.

I'm not planning on rock crawling (kinda hard to do here in lowzy-anna and I'm not building a racing engine. But I am installing some things like a crank scraper and, much later, a radiator with an electric fan to minimize parasaitic drag. I've done a little looking around, and a beefed up 700R4 is every bit as pricey as a NV4500 if not more so when you specify that the tranny be able to accommodate 400 horsepower.

[KEV]

Thinking about the 700R4, check the bottem half of the bolt pattern.
If the alinement pins and first bolt are indexted the same in reference to the crank, then section in the top half of the bellhousing. I was thing about doing this so I can run one in my J20 with a 455 buick.

But then again I've lost a few marbles over the years

[Dusty]

dodges with the 208's came with 23 splines also behind the np435s for a few years the 700R4 came married to the 208 so i dont think it should be too hairy. probably just a matter of swapping the inputs ordering the correct one.

I am a strong advocate of manual tranny's


The nv4500's can be had used for $600-900 in great shape, i have bought a couple for that price range and run them. even bought a couple with sheered off inputs from dodge diesels, replaced the input and ran them worked great.

being able to hold 400HP is hard with the 700R4 without alot of cash. its not the hp as much as it is the torque from the 401 that kills trannys manual and automatics. DONT lug the nv4500 below 1500-1600 in OD rumor has it that is what is hardest on the OD gear and the bearings and typically leads to thiewr failure. nice thing though is if OD fails it falls off into the tail housing not the rest of the gear cluster

my whole NV4500 combo bellhousing hydraulic clutch tranny and t-case is sitting somewhere around $2500 with the HD output on the t-case and everything new/rebuilt from flywheel to rear t-case yoke. and i had to put a new input, output/mainshaft, OD gear and bearings in my tranny then the t-case got the HD output, clocking ring and longer input and a rebuild, then the new clutch, AA bellhousing, hydraulic system and flywheel. so it adds up quick but i was aiming for all out rebuilt and new.


I love these ones too
"AMC 360 is the same motor as a dodge 5.9 360"
"401 that motor is a turd my (mildly built) 350 chevy would run circles around my buddy's 77 gagoneer with a stock 401"
"Get rid of that AMC Crap it costs too much to build one and convert to a chevy small or big block"
"the 401 is an aneamic POS dont waste your money"

and then you educate them with taillights and tire smoke when the light turns green.