Ford guys! Best trans/tcase combo in a bogger

[jbeery78]

Hey ive got a 78 ford, 400 engine with alum intake, 4 bbl, mild cam, headers. Its mated to an NP435 trans, 205 tcase, has 5.38 axle gears with lockers and im running 44s. Runs good thru the mud, but the gear ratios in the trans seem too far apart to me. Is it time to swap to a C6? Maybe a different tcase? just looking for some input based on others experiences thanks!

[paperman]

What do you mean to far apart?  As in 1st is to low and 2nd too high, or is it a Hi range low range problem?  Your stick has 1st - 6.69
2nd - 3.34 3rd - 1.79 4th - 1.00 ratios, C-6 is 1st 2.46 2nd 1.46 3rd 1.00 So what gear are you running and what do you want to change? 

The auto helps coushion some problems with the converter choice but it makes its own issues.  What type of mud and how do you run the truck?

[jbeery78]

Running mostly in muck, nothing too deep I stay out of the nasty holes. I need more time to get a feel for the truck yet, but 3rd/low range seems good, as does 2nd high, but I cant grab 3rd when im in 2 high. I usually lose some of my wheel spin and momentum by the time I get that long ass monster stick up and into 3rd. Having trouble picking the right gear and tcase range basically.

[jbeery78]

Also I have exhaust on my truck, its kind of loud but when theres 4 other trucks in the pit with open headers its hard for me to hear what my truck is doing, also needing a better tach yet too. The one I currently have doesn't seem to be reading correctly... says my 400 is revving over 7k lol. Basically wondering if anyone else has ever run this trans/tcase in there truck and what worked best for them.

[jbeery78]

Another problem with this trans is the reverse ratio but we wont get into that haha. Low range/ reverse is totally worthless unless this truck had 72 inch tires haha

[4x4xdodgeman]

what kind of 44 you have?

[jbeery78]

Gumbo mudders, bout half tread center bars grooved to look like tsls

[4x4xdodgeman]

you have to much axle gear for your tires.  combo you have not a good. 

[mudbillyredneck]

Can you clear a true 44 and not an old tire that measures shorter....sort of like what you have now ?

also

I have had very good luck with BBF's with 5.13 to 5.38 with 44 TSL and and the C6/205 combo... never needed lo-range ....ofcourse there was alittle money invested into the 460 motor ...

[jbeery78]

Can you clear a true 44 and not an old tire that measures shorter....sort of like what you have now ?

also

I have had very good luck with BBF's with 5.13 to 5.38 with 44 TSL and and the C6/205 combo... never needed lo-range ....ofcourse there was alittle money invested into the 460 motor ...

Yea I can clear a true 44, and yea I'm trying to decide which trans and tcase combo is gonna work best for me, a 460 build is in the works in my garage BTW. So eventually I will be putting a few extra ponies to the wheels

[jbeery78]

Thinking maybe I should focus on getting a c6 in the truck to see how that works? 

[jbeery78]

The 400 isn't a power house but its got good low end and revs pretty good, holds good oil pressure so its getting used for now.

[Jthomas]

Btw, tach reading high can be caused by a bad power/ground.

[jbeery78]

Btw, tach reading high can be caused by a bad power/ground.

Right, I understand that but this is an old Mallory tach and I seriously question its accuracy lol.

[paperman]

Go with C6 and a BW 1356 out of newer truck if you can.  A 205 would be just about as good.  Heavier and less low gear.  Both very strong units.  Axle gear should be as above stated in 5.XX range.  Nice thing with the c-6 is you can get a 460 to bolt to is as well.  400 are OK but not near what a 460 is or can be.  Next question will be what converter you run with the C6. 

[jbeery78]

Got a new tach wired up, getting a much more correct reading now. On the hunt for a c6 this summer/fall, like paperman said what converter should I be running? Stall converter in a mud truck? Or just a stock unit work with my 400?

[wildbroncoII]

I run a c6 with bw1356 tcase 4.88 gears and 4500 stall and 44 cuts on right now. Have no problems!

[jbeery78]

Yup definitely getting ready to build a c6 for the truck.... I was able to hit a 2-3 shift today without missing 3rd haha. Definitely time to upgrade the trans and motor this winter. Any suggestions on converter stall speed?