New Transmission Project Upcoming

[seth1001]

Okay I'm closing in on a plan now. Basically I have two options and one variant. All I'm waiting on is the discovery of measurements for each assembly. But let me walk anyone reading this through my thought process.
At first I really wanted to mount a new transmission to the stock transfer case. Unfortunately, the lack of data concerning...well...everything about that transfer case has made it impossible to discuss with fabricators or adapter manufacturers. Also, even here in Las Vegas, I have been totally unable to locate a shop that can actually machine a new output shaft for me in the likely event that I need one. All transmission shops have apparently become completely dependent on "advance adapters" and similar providers to the point where they don't make any of their own stuff anymore. So anyway, I've basically concluded that I can't use the stock transfer case...not with my knowledge or lack thereof anyway. So I had some discussions and did some research and even though one guy said I should be able to use a Dana 300 with my offset differential "no problem"...I don't think I want to go that route based on the advice of everyone else. So I've got to get a different transfer case and it has to be a double passenger offset rig, which only leaves me with 3 options - Dana/Spicer 18, Land Rover Series I, II, or III, or an FJ40 transfer case.
The Spicer 18 sounded great based on how compact it was. Plus it was double stick, which would also be great for the appearance of originality and just because I love the twin stick rig. There's lots of support for it and purportedly it can handle up to around 300 ft/Ibs of torque. So I was all excited about it. Then I talked to some people and discovered that it'll likely fall apart if you routinely go above 60 mph. It was tough, but only meant for WWII jeeps that never went above 45mph. Both Novak and Advance Adapters recommended I don't use it with an overdrive transmission. So that was a bummer.
Then I've got the Land Rover transfer cases. I'm told they might work but I'm really having trouble figuring out what's up with these. There's about a million variants and I can't find any data on case length or width or anything I need to make the determination. Advance claims to be able to adapt them to an NV3550 or NV4500 transmission however, so it's a viable option. I need to do more research but so far I've just been frustrated. Any information readers might have on these would be helpful.
I think the FJ40 transfer case is the best way to go. Advance has a kit that will adapt an NV4500 frontways to my Chevy 292, and rearways to the FJ40 transfer case. I really want to get an NV4500 in there. It's got the ratios and the strength that mean it should be the last transmission I'll ever need. The FJ40 transfer case is also highly likely to fit, given the similarities between the Patrol and the FJ. I'm still trying to find data to determine the entire length of that rig though.
According to my measurements, the entire length of my current setup is 28.75" from the engine mating surface to the rear driveshaft mating surface at the transfer case point. This gives me a 22.25" rear driveshaft at a 10 degree downward angle. I have no idea how short I could go or what my max angle would be on the new driveshaft so I'm just trying to keep it as similar as possible. I've seen Jeeps work with about a 9" driveshaft so I'm not sweating it too much but with much difference comes much unpredictability. So anyway, if I can determine the length of an NV4500 mounted to an FJ40 T/C, then I'll know if that's the plan. That's the latest.

Oh and I forgot to mention the variant. I could get a dodge or chevy configured NV4500. The Dodge versions seem to be more readily available and the advance adapters kit comes with a conversion plate for my 292. We'll see...

[Peter60]

We all look forward to your end result. It looks like many have tried but few have documented results about mating a non-Nissan gearbox to the P engine in simple terms that the non-engineer can understand.

I look forward to mating an auto gearbox to the Patrol. I suspect that eventually a manual shift will become too hard .... oh to ageing!

Have you looked at/for a Marks 5 speed from Oz? See elsewhere in this forum?

[yitzac1990]

I am in the process of swapping a chevy v8 into my 1969 patrol. I am using a Muncie SM465 4 speed transmission to a Dana 18 transfer case. The highest gear in the transmission is only 1:1, but I plan on getting an overdrive unit eventually for the TC, which will give me a .75:1 high gear. This is something else to think about. Novak makes the kit to adapt the dana 18 to the SM465, and if your I6 engine has the "typical" SBC bellhousing bolt pattern, the sm465 will bolt right on. I chose the SM465 because it is regarded as being very strong, and I liked the dana 18 because it was regarded as "one of the best transfer cases ever built" and it allows me to keep passenger side drop. Using any transmission over 4 speeds will more than likely result in a setup that is too long, and you'll have trouble with rear driveshaft lengths. You can find my build thread which has pics of the engine, trans, and TC to get an idea of it all. I am currently involved in this swap, so everything is still sitting on my shop floor, hopefully to be mated together today.

[yitzac1990]

the other reasons I chose an SM465 and Dana 18, is availability. the sm465 can be found just about anywhere. I even found some on CL for as cheap as $75. I actually found a guy willing to trade his transmission to me for a gun that I wasn't even using, that I had gotten on trade for some labor, so it was basically a free transmission for me. the dana 18 is a bit harder to find, but they are definitely out there. I found a guy selling an entire jeep CJ drivetrain on ebay, and just asked if he would part with the TC, and for $150 it was mine. since they are domestic options, parts for them are also much easier to find and acquire I think. There is a TON of information online about this trans and tcase, which also makes it easier if you are in a pinch and need to know something fast.

I have no worries about this trans and tcase holding up to a stock chevy v8, which was another deciding factor for me.

[CBlake]

I have a Dana 18 behind a C4 transmission and Ford 289 V8 in one of my Patrols. It has held up very well to some punishment.

[seth1001]

Alright...things are happening. Sorry it's been slower than I intended but it's so hot out here in Vegas during the summer. I can only be outside for an hour or so per day. My thanks to all of you who have been checking out this thread from time to time. The story continues on this new thread and this video. http://60patrol.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=5496. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CY6pOKQpr4Y. Enjoy!

[Esteban]

Interesting to watch your video and see what direction you want to go with the gear train.

Good luck with the whole process and keep us posted.