Topic: 2.5 adapted to ford 435, what do ya think?

[mikepotts]

im in the planning stage for my 91 YJ with 2.5, AX5 all stock... i found an interesting adapter that allows a ford NP435 to be bolted to the AX5 belhousing with a specific clutch disc, and a friend has offered me a package deal... 435/205 and a set of 79 3/4 ton ford axles, HD44 and 60 with a set of 15x10 steel wheels all for $550.00  my jeep is gonna be a DD/trail rig but i only live 3 miles from work so the DD thing doesnt require OD... ive delt with the AX5 issues in the past with the uncle's YJ and when i do the SOA i would need the SYE so i figured this would put me into a virtually unbreakable trans/tcase and no need to buy a SYE, so, what do you think?  have any of you done this before?  heres the link for the adapter...
http://www.advanceadapters.com/products/712555np--ford-np435-manual-transmission-to-ax5-bellhousing-adapter-kit/

[Tr00b]

Welcome to 4bangerjp!

 I think its neat... However, the can of worms will be opened.

custom driveshafts no doubt
Custom mounts for trans and t-case
Isn't there a speed sensor in the t-case?
Custom shifter linkage for the tcase.
Custom shifter for trans.

I mean unless you are a 4wd wizard this is all going to be time consuming and expensive... Whereas a SYE and perhaps a rebuilt trans if yours grenades is only going to run 2000ish. Your project could easily spiral into the 3-4k territory, 5-8k if you shorten and build up the truck axles in addition to the swap.

[sharpxmen]

with all that weight and rotating mass you'll be getting 10mpg (ok, maybe not that low but will take a hit). Its a big project though but would make it extremely strong.

[mikepotts]

Welcome to 4bangerjp!

 I think its neat... However, the can of worms will be opened.

custom driveshafts no doubt
Custom mounts for trans and t-case
Isn't there a speed sensor in the t-case?
Custom shifter linkage for the tcase.
Custom shifter for trans.

I mean unless you are a 4wd wizard this is all going to be time consuming and expensive... Whereas a SYE and perhaps a rebuilt trans if yours grenades is only going to run 2000ish. Your project could easily spiral into the 3-4k territory, 5-8k if you shorten and build up the truck axles in addition to the swap.

4wd wizard?  surely this isnt that bad... ive made several driveshafts including square shafts for my toyota... i know this isnt a bolt on persay, but a little fab skills go a long way... after building my broncoII with a propaned 5.0 435/205 4 link'd with rockwells, this seems like childs play... not gonna shorten the axles, going full width.

[mikepotts]

with all that weight and rotating mass you'll be getting 10mpg (ok, maybe not that low but will take a hit). Its a big project though but would make it extremely strong.

thats something i didnt consider!  the idea behind this is to keep the economical 2.5 in the jeep, then later if power became an issue, i could use a stock ford external hyd bellhousing to put a 5.0 in front of all this.

thanks for the welcome and thoughts guys, i know i asked for opinions, so i accept all that are given with appreciation.

[mikepotts]

its a little redneck, but then again so am i!  heres a little video of my old bronco i was talking about...

http://video.cardomain.com/VideoPlayer.aspx?id=688996

sorry, i tried to imbed this but i cant figure it out... but you can tell, i can make some of my own stuff and make it work.   

[FourbangerYJ]

Welcome aboard Mike.
I don't see why this is not doable. There are kits for the GM SM420 and SM 465 to the 2.5L. Sounds like you are not going to be using this as a DD and more of a trail rig. The Ford NP435 and the 205 T-case are stupid strong! Sounds like you have the skills to get it all to work. I say go for it!

[neale_rs]

Here is a link: http://4bangerjp.com/forums/index.php/topic,4393.0.html

It was done by a member of this forum.

[mikepotts]

thanks guys!  neale... thats EXACTLY what i was looking for!  thanks a million!  nothing makes an idea seem better than someone else having done it too!  mine will be a little different since im gonna use the 205 instead of the 20, now i can research a little to see how much longer the 205 is than the 20... hopefully it will be shorter than the 231/SYE also. 

[FourbangerYJ]

thanks guys!  neale... thats EXACTLY what i was looking for!  thanks a million!  nothing makes an idea seem better than someone else having done it too!  mine will be a little different since im gonna use the 205 instead of the 20, now i can research a little to see how much longer the 205 is than the 20... hopefully it will be shorter than the 231/SYE also. 

There is plenty of room to move the motor forward if you need to. I moved mine 4 inches with room to spare.

[Bounty Hunter]

I would think the tons of parasitic drag from the heavy tranny and gear drive transfer case would really zap the power of the anemic 2.5 engine.

[95 Lowbuck]

I agree ^, would be a great combo for a sb ford but not a 2.5L.
Along with the weight and drag, you would have horrible trans. gear ratios
that the little 4 Cly. would struggle with on the street.
I would wait till you find a V8 for this swap, why do it twice.

[Jeffy]

I would think the tons of parasitic drag from the heavy tranny and gear drive transfer case would really zap the power of the anemic 2.5 engine.

I asked the same question from JB Conversions when they were offering the NV4500 for the 2.5L.  They said there was only a slight loss. 

I know the NP435 has been done before.  Most of the ones I've seen it on are crawlers.  They're already running 5:38's and 38's.  With a 205, it's going to be heavy though.  Not really what I'd choose.  At that point, I'd consider swapping in a 5.0 or 351 in there as well.

[sharpxmen]

he also mentioned the D60 rear, i think that and the transmission would be the ones with most power loss, t-case i don't know, you're spinning most of the parts in the 231 including the planetary so i think that's a wash (my guess) but will add more weight

[mikepotts]

... i kind of had it in mind that if i wasnt happy with whatever powerloss i get hit with i can find explorer 5.0's locally CHEAP!  like $250 cheap... so not a big deal... this first idea was actually a 5.0, then i found the AA adapter, so i figured i would give it a try.  my commute isnt that far and when i feel the need for speed, ive got the mustang   .  ive heared alot about the 2.5 being bombproof so im gonna put 'er thru the paces.  LOL!