No, it's 1.855

 

So is your np435 input shaft length different than mine that you can use the outer step?

I remember reading you said about using one of those rangers setups in yours but I'm not familiar with how they work.

 

Youre right, a Ranger overdrive, or gear splitter, takes the place of the NP 435 and the trans mates to the back of the Ranger unit. It just allows me to split all gears and gives me a 27% overdrive at the top end.
Now that I have the pilot bearing I'm going to seat it, bolt the cover plate and bell in place and use a depth mic to get the actual distance and see if it all fits up. If it doesn't Ranger will get my phone call soon thereafter because I told them exactly what I had that would go in front and behind their product. We'll see.

 

Oh, and the input shaft length of the Ranger unit, measured only with a combo square so it's not that exact, I have at 6.5". And as for fit, I'm somewhat anxious to see how that goes. :-)

 

Stock np435 is 6.5"

 

I started by asking about a pilot bearing. But is there anything inadvisable about using a bushing instead?

 

I'm fine with just a bushing...less to go wrong.