b/b in '85 4x4?

[roy4925]

I have a '85 W350 single wheel,four wheel drive with a 360, automatic,NP 208,Dana 44 and 60.I dont like the power ratio of this truck.I have been told I can do a bolt up swap to a 440,or 426 is this true?If not can anyone tell me how to get the torque I'am looking for?

[5DodgeGuy]

It is not a "direct" bolt in swap. You will need to get either a transmission case from a big block and change all of the internals from your 727 or obtain a big block 727 from an eariler 4x4. If you can get a 440 from an early 4x4 that is complete, get it!...It will have all of the necessary parts. I installed a 440 in my '84 W150. I had to chase all of the parts..i.e. exhaust manifolds, oil pan, engine mounts, dip stick and tube. I did use the old RV2 comp. and just spliced the old and new lines together and it worked great for many years.


Hope this helps.

Good luck.

[Mopar_Mudder]

I myself have done this swap in a 83 W350. First off it is easier now than it use to be. A company called BOUCHILLON PERFORMANCE sells a kit to do the swap, their web site is: http://home.att.net/~BOUCHILLON.PERF....net/index.htm

The biggest things are motor mounts, acc. brackets, and exhaust. If you have a manual trans you need to find a BB bell housing which can be a real problem, but, Lakewood just started making a steel one (part# 15335)to except the old NP435 and new NV4500's, their web site is: http://www.mrgasket.com/lakenew.htm

If you have an Auto they are much easier to find and shouldn't be a problem.

Let me aslo mention, if you use your truck hard, or have lifter it at all, that the Dana 44 front is not going to take it and the NP208 is questionable.

You can see the info and spec on my truck at: http://discover-net.net/~greener/truck.htm

Also this board seem to lean more toward the newer generation of Dodge, the board at off-road.com is full of people that have done this swap, the address is: http://www.off-road.com/cgi-bin/dnew...off-road.dodge

Also I have started a Dodge owners community on Excite, we have 62 members. All owning Dodge truck that most have been modified in one way or another. We meet for live chat every Monday and Thursday, I invite you to come and join us, the address is: http://mycomm.excite.com/mycomm/brow...d=.Jsf7pNWY-NL

[Mopar_Mudder]

I my self have done this swap in a 83 W350. You can find all the info a specs on my web page at: http://discover-net.net/~greener/truck.htm

This swap is not as hard as it once was, thank mostly to a company called Bouchillon Performance. They offer a kit that contains the parts for doing the swap, they also sell the correct headers for the swap. You can find them here: http://home.att.net/~BOUCHILLON.PERF....net/index.htm

On the transmission, if you have a manual you need to find a BB bell housing to except a truck transmission, which is next to impossible. But Lakewood just stated making a steel bell housing to do the swap, it is part number 1335 and will take the NP435 or newer NV4500. Their web site is http://www.mrgasket.com/lakenew.htm

Is this truck lifted of off roaded in any way? If so the Dana 44 probably wont last for you and the NP208 is questionable also, I know from experience on this.

This board seems to lean toward the newer generation of Dodge truck. I suggest going to the board st off-road.com, their are many of us their that have done this swap and alot of other information. The web site is: http://www.off-road.com/cgi-bin/dnew...off-road.dodge

Also I have started a Dodge truck owners community and we are up to 62 members. We meet every Monday and Thursday for live chat, it is a great way to get information. I invite you to join us: http://mycomm.excite.com/mycomm/brow...d=.Jsf7pNWY-NL