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GETTING CLOSER to the 4l80e+np205 config.

well Ive researched this fairly extensively too...

the "hybrid" bearing has a smaller envelope size. this is the nature of the beast due to the dimensions of the bearing.. this results in smaller ball bearings, which in turn lowers the load capacity. it is the heaviest duty bearing I could readily get from this supplier in the proper dimension.

this IS an exact fit. Were you running spacers? You cant get the hybrid bearing in a 20mm thick version.. 20mm is required to achieve the correct fit. the hybrid is only 16mm thick leaving 4mm that must be shimmed.. but ive already taken care of that problem..

Radial load is the force being put on the bearing.. the hybrid bearing is rated at significantly less that the OEM bearings.. (approx. 5000lbs dynamic load, versus 7000-8000lbs dynamic load on the stockers)....

this seems like a big difference, and relatively speaking- it is. BUT i have this thought process working for me:

-this truck is my offroad project and will see very few miles
-the cost of the bearing is miniscule, and they are readily available and very easy to replace. you dont even have to drain the fluid in the case.
-i personally talked to about a half dozen machine shops and none of them wanted anything to do with boring the hole in the cast iron transfer case
-the case will be untouched, saving me that hassle and cost, and keeping it virgin
-severe radial load is only exerted on this particular bearing when in 4 wheel drive... in 2 wheel, power is transfered straight thru the transfer case, out the rear output.... during normal driving its under very light duty

i have no reason to beleive that this setup will do anything other than perform flawlessly forever. Only time will tell.. the bearing Im going to use is a premium quality italian made (SKF)... what im actually worried about are the no-namers that came in the rebuild kit... some of them were NACHI which I like, but the others---- im not so sure about....

anyways thanks for your input Jimbo*, im open for suggestions... I do agree that IDEALLY your best bet would be to bore the case.. but given that Im not a machinist nor do I have any machinist friends that will do it for me, the custom bearing is a win - win situation.... Once again, this is all in theory thus far and only bolting it all together and ROMPING on it, will tell us if its going to survive or not.
 
Yes, I was running a single 4mm spacer--you must in order to keep the input gear in it's designed place in the case. The bearing can't go anywhere as it's sandwitched between the adapter and the case(unless the outer snap ring breaks).
If you can pull the case from the adapter without losing any oil, you're a better man than I am. (think bottom three bolts into the case)
I can bore a case and send it to you, or you can buy a case already bored from MEK5.
I agree that you will probably have no problems with this setup, not being a daily driver as mine was.
I will also qualify my statements as to reliability of the smaller bearing; you must remember this was in a 79 blazer with D60/14FF, 4.56, detriot rear/powerlock front, and 36' fun country's. I used to run around town with the hubs locked, and race Iroc's and Z28's stoplight to stoplight. They didn't know what to think when all 4 of those tires went to smokin'.
Jimbo
 
mike reeh said:
As for the adapter, im in talks with the machinist to have more than one made so I could possibly offer some for sale... More on that later..


205_2.jpg
Click to expand...
Keep us updated on your progress on these adaptors.:D
 
no because im waiting on a few things like some fasteners, seals, a plug for the rear of the trans, etc etc... but it will go in ASAP

mike
np205.org
 
so how much is this gonna cost ya to do the whole swap because i was seriously thinking about doing this with a 4l80 and a cad 500. the 500s dont like to rev and i really like the idea of a four speed thats not a pile of parts like the 700r4. if i remember the 4l80 is just a TH400 with an eltronic overdrive??? from what ive heard the th400 are the bullet proof tranny?
 
total cost? Im not really sure... quite a bit though.. depends on what parts youre starting with, and how much you have to come up with... the only non factory part is the adapter in the middle.. If my prototype works well, Ill offer a complete kit including the adapter for sale for as cheap as I can.. it will be your responsibility to come up with the trans, the np205 with the correct input gear, the th400 adapter, the computer to control the trans, etc... those are all some high dollar parts (relatively speaking)....

anyhoo, the 4l80e is very similar to a TH400, with an over drive gear.. but its completely electronic.. the tailshaft bolt pattern is identical to a TH400 (6 bolts) ... they are both bullet proof :)

snow-hog- i feel exactly the same way about the overdrive gear, its sure nice to have. thats my main drive behind this project, is i want the OD, especially for long trips

mike
np205.org
 
Way cool setup and some great feedback in this thread!

Best wishes on getting this beast in motion.
 
How about a pic or two of your spacer. Does it fit with the figure eight adapter only, or is it relieved to also fit with the short/round adapter?
How thick is it?
Jimbo
 
Jimbo-

as per your request, here are some pics---

http://np205.org/ck5/

its designed for the figure 8 adapter. Ive never had the short/round adapter in my posession, so I dont know if it will or wont work. Id say theres about a 95% chance that it wont work. Depends on the thickness of that adapter, because it used either a different input (tcase side) or different output (trans side) so it would be pure luck if it worked.. my adapter is exactly 1.25" thick

mike
np205.org
 
You are correct, your spacer won't work on the short adapter. The short adapter's mounting feet get in the way. This is the reason for the spacer with the short adapter, the feet would hit the 4l80 pan; not so much the length of 4l80 output shaft. Give me about a week, and I'll post up pics of the respective adapters and the spacer for the th400/205 short adapter. I got lucky today and scored an original 4l80/205 adapter off ebay!
Jimbo
 
just wanted to say that I HAVE been making progress lately.. Ive updated my website with a few new pics.... the ones comparing the 700r4 to the 4l80e are kind of interesting....

mike
np205.org
 
Your spacer will work with the short foot adapter,both types are 4" wide with the same size pilot.The spacer will give the adapter feet plenty of pan clearance.
 
subscribing, keep up the good work. id love to have an overdrive in my truck
 
I need one of those adapters. Do you plan on making anymore?? I am about to replace the TBI454/400/205 in 1990 V3500 with a Vortec454/4l80e/205. The 4l80e tranny is a fixed yoke model and this is the exact swap I am wanting to do. Please let me know if you make any more adapters. Thanks. :waytogo:
 
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