700r4

[paratrooper307]

The reason I don't want to do a gear swap is #1 cost and #2 after that Im still gonna want an overdrive. I will probably be $2500 deep by the time its all said and done with the gears and new lockers. Unless Ive missed something along the line Im pretty sure that the lockers I have for my 4.10 gears won't work with 4.56 or taller...???

The speed limit on the highway I typically drive is 120km/hr (75mph) So to keep up with traffic flow Im pretty close to 80mph. At those speeds it tracks straight as an arrow and is pretty smooth considering. My only complaint is the 3k rpm and obviously how loud the mud grapplers are howling

So yes change gears and make starting a little nicer but Im gonna loose too much on the highway.

Opinions on how an nv3500 would handle the 4.10 and 37" tires in traffic, on the highway, and in the bush?? The wheeling I do is 99% low range crawling and Im pretty gentle so not super worried about strength.

The 3500 is not a heavy duty transmission. It's a smooth, easy-shifting unit, and the higher first gear over the 465 may make it more usable on the street for you. You have to work within its limitations, meaning that it wasn't designed for heavy 4x4 trucks. If you have a light foot you may be okay. With you being under-geared/over-tired, it becomes the weak link in your system. You're still dancing around the core problem. You might consider temporarily downsizing the tires and putting in an OD tranny and then tackling the axle gears when you can afford it, or spring for the 4500, which will at least have greater strength to tolerate the gearing.

 

[kennyw]

You can get thick gears and keep your current lockers/carriers.

 

[Blazooki]

I would look for a np241 and forget the np208. you can get a slip yoke eliminator for the 241, which is the biggest headache with the 208. You get a little better low gear plus loosing the slip yoke shortens the overall length and if you ever decide to do a 241/300 doubler your halfway there. There are 241s that came behind dodges that already have the slip yoke gone and bolt right up with the front output on the passenger side. chevy 241s wont work unless you got a drivers side dana 60 front.

My buddy has that setup in his landcruiser...350 vortec, nv4500, np241D, dana 60, hes on 37s with 4.10 gears wishing he had 5.13s or 5.38s

 

[skyhigh4by]

You can get thick gears and keep your current lockers/carriers.

I did not know that. Thank you that helps.

So ideally I would step up to 4.88 and either run an nv3500 or 700r4 depending on how I felt at the time. Would that gear change make all that difference to the 700? Obviously I would never just toss a totally stock unit in there anyways because I know they can be questionable. I understand there are a few fairly simple and cheap mods to help them out a little bit.