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Old Sep 10, 2009 | 07:00 AM
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Np542

Does any one know where I can buy a NP542 5 speed to bolt to an FE engine? I want to put a five speed into my 77 hiboy and am having trouble locating one.
 
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Old Sep 10, 2009 | 12:28 PM
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What was the original application? I searched for this trans and did not find a lot, other than parts. Seems like it was used by several mfgs, but it's for mediums, correct? That means clutch and pilot bearing issues, as the input shafts tend to get larger as you go up the food chain.

The NV4500 seems to be easily available, and adaptors are available.

http://www.high-impact.net/transmiss...ear/nv4500.htm
 
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Old Sep 10, 2009 | 04:17 PM
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It was used by many MFG but could be found in F500 F600 I think but medium duty trucks is correct. I would like to find a five speed to bolt to a FE in my highboy it could be a clarck I have started searching them as well.
 
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Old Sep 10, 2009 | 05:10 PM
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Dino has posted some info on adapting a Clark. Many are not OD, if you are looking for OD.

Not sure on the NP542. NV4500 is OD.

I'll see if I can find the Clark post from Dino.
 
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Old Sep 10, 2009 | 05:32 PM
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OK, that didn't take long:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...d-a-391ft.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/2...e-511-a-2.html

There's more but that ought to do.
 
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Old Sep 11, 2009 | 02:07 AM
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Thanks for the information I think I may look at changing some of the gears in the NP435 to see if that helps get better fuel milage and lower RPM ranges. I saw NP435 offered for different makes of vehicles offered different gear ranges. make first 4.56 currently it is 6.68 make second 2.29 currently 3.34 third 1.74 make 1.31 and fourth would be 1.0 and take reverse from 8.26 to 6.60 does this sound like a reasonable Idea? I think swapping in some different gears in the diffs may help currently running 4.11? Any thoughts please because my five speed Idea isn't going far. I have give thought to a bolt on over drive but because it is four wheel drive it cause other issues.
 
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Old Sep 11, 2009 | 01:34 PM
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Some specific info on the NP435:

http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/np435.htm

Not sure about changing gear sets in a trans like that--might be easier to just find a good one in the ratios you like. Looks like just two ratios for Ford. Can you change the gear sets without changing the input/output shafts?

The link I gave you for the NV4500 also has the "Ranger OD". It fits between the bell and trans. You have to move the trans and TC back, so there will also be DS issues.

As for overall ratios and what axle gear you could change to and still have a good overall set up, the Novak site has calculators. Click on 'gearing', you need your tire size also.

BTW, you say '77 for the model year of your truck. Sure you have an FE, not a 400 or 351M. I thought the last year for the FE was '76
 
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Old Sep 12, 2009 | 07:13 PM
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I know in the 67-72 forum there was talk about the Clark 5 speed behind a FT being used on the FE, but, they were still a 1:1 in 5th gear. I don't know exactly what they weight, but, they seemed to me to be about 2x the size of a NP435.
 
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Old Sep 13, 2009 | 03:44 AM
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It was factory 400 but previous owner swapped in a 410 FE.

Originally Posted by 85e150six4mtod
Some specific info on the NP435:

http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/np435.htm

Not sure about changing gear sets in a trans like that--might be easier to just find a good one in the ratios you like. Looks like just two ratios for Ford. Can you change the gear sets without changing the input/output shafts?

The link I gave you for the NV4500 also has the "Ranger OD". It fits between the bell and trans. You have to move the trans and TC back, so there will also be DS issues.

As for overall ratios and what axle gear you could change to and still have a good overall set up, the Novak site has calculators. Click on 'gearing', you need your tire size also.

BTW, you say '77 for the model year of your truck. Sure you have an FE, not a 400 or 351M. I thought the last year for the FE was '76
 
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Old Sep 14, 2009 | 10:33 PM
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Is it married or divorced TC? Some of the NP 540 series were OD, but it will just take some searching to find the right one. Even if you swap the NP 435 for one with different ratios, you still have 1:1 high gear ratio. If you change the ratios in the axles, you are looking at more money...how much gas savings will you get after $1000 or more to change the ratios. I would take my time to find the OD medium duty truck one, BUT they are only 2wd.
 
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Old Sep 15, 2009 | 04:22 AM
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Well I had never given thought to the shafts that I would have to look into. But yeah it is divorced TC thas why I figured I could bolt a five speed in easier and started searching for a NP542 I heard it would bolt directly into my truck. Well I have not priced gears yet but if I do what would I want really?
 
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Old Oct 29, 2009 | 07:12 PM
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Ranger Torque Splitter For 1971-87 4-Speeds

Any one know any thing about these units?
 
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