I am in the process of building a 84 swb step side ram. I have just lowered the rear via a axle flip and I plan on using dakota drop spindles and drop springs for the front. My plan for this truck is to build a performance truck that can contend with Ford Lightnings and the new SS Chevy. I live in ford and Chevy territory so I would like for it to be nice and perform very well atleast as good as a truck can. I was wondering if anyone has used a aluminum fuel cell with a sending unit to go between the fraim rail were the spare tire should be? I think this will help a couple of issues that dodges are known for like exaust routing,and the weight that the fuel tank puts directly on the driver side. It will also help with traction. The power train will be a built 360 with a close ratio four speed for now, later I would like to install a Tremec five speed.
Speed Dragon
10-16-2007, 10:43 PM
I put a Ramcharger tank in the rear, also the trucks were available in the mid-late 70's w/ rear tanks. I plan on replacing the tank w/ a fuel cell in mine, but haven't done it yet. One problem you'll run into is most cells have the filler cap at the top, which will make it hard to route a tube to it under the bed. Although you can always make a trap door in the bed to access it. Another thing is most don't have sending units, or they have to be bought separate and require an aftermarket gauge also.
As for the Tremec, hope you got $3k+ to shell out for it.
84 Ram
10-17-2007, 07:51 PM
I guess that I will need to look into the Ram Carger tank or the early model truck tanks. I like the idea of staying with mopar parts. I really don't want to shell out 3k for a trans but, I want a strong trans that I can beat on plus have that extra gear for the road.
Speed Dragon
10-18-2007, 06:38 AM
Well the 3k isn't for just the trans, it's for the whole kit from Keisler. You could also look into getting a NP-535 5-spd like I have, or an AX-15 out of a newer Dakota ('92-up).
84 Ram
10-18-2007, 08:00 PM
I would like to use a Dakota trans. I'm just not sure of how much abuse it can take. In the pictures of your truck I see that you cut the entire trans tunnel out what was the reason for that. Do you think that any of the two trans. that you mention will bolt up to m lakewood blow proof bellhousing it has a couple of bolt patterns I'm not exactly sure what they are other than the one that I am using which is a 833 three speed overdrive.
Speed Dragon
10-18-2007, 09:25 PM
Maybe the 535, the AX-15 I know won't. The reason I cut the floorboard out was to clear the trans, as mine had the automatic/3-spd floor. You floor may clear it w/ no problem, the 833 trucks had a different floor, or at least a different tunnel.
The other option is to use a AX-15 bell and Toyota Supra Turbo R-154 trans. This is what I'm going to do, which is why I'm selling my current NP-535 setup. I've had no problems out of the 535, and I'm sure it will handle 300-350hp pretty well. However, I'm planning on going MPFI and turbo intercooled, so I need a good tough trans.
However, I don't know any details on the R-154 swap, such as what kind of clutch setup, input shaft and/or pilot bearing mods, trans mounts, etc. It's been done overseas, mostly Australia, but info is pretty scarce on it. Most had shops do it for them. So, I'm gonna pioneer it, like I did this 535 setup :)
84 Ram
10-18-2007, 09:51 PM
I am in thee planning process so I will have to do my homework as well. I know that I would loke to build a 450-500 horse engine so whatever the trans I use it will have to be strong. I have thought about just installing a close ratio four speed out of a early model mopar I have acouple of A body close ratio 833 but I don't know if they will work someone told me that I needed a B-body trans to make it work.
Speed Dragon
10-18-2007, 10:40 PM
I'd see if you could put the gears out of the close ratio into the aluminum case'd OD trans. Then you'd have no fitment issues, and it'd be lighter, plus stronger internals. Not sure if it's possible, but it's a thought. I think the main issue w/ the A-body trans is shifter placement, you may be able to swap tailhousings and use it as is.
Speed Dragon
10-18-2007, 10:47 PM
Actually, looks like Keisler is now selling Lakewood bells for Mopars w/ the Tremec TKO patern in it. $469 for the bell, and you can find the rest of the stuff yourself. Tremec's are available used pretty cheap now, 300-800 range depending on condition. I'd say that's the way to go, Lakewood TKO bell and a used TKO trans, find a 10.5 or 11" Ford clutch disc and a Chrysler flywheel and pressure plate and you'd be about good to go. TKO's will handle 650 ft-lbs of torque easy.
The Lakewood bell is at the bottom of the page.
http://www.keislerauto.com/mopar/transmissions/bellhousing.asp
BaggedIndy
10-19-2007, 10:40 AM
I can't remember the website but I found a guy that swapped in a t-5 from a stang fairly easy. Granted a t-5 isn't a tremec its better than the other options. I believe he used the 833 od bell and had it modified. I will try to find the article.
BaggedIndy
10-19-2007, 11:02 AM
Couldn't find the article but I did find this.
http://www.**************/forums/showthread.php?t=90212
Speed Dragon
10-19-2007, 10:57 PM
Hmm, link got censored?
I think the bearing retainer on a T-5 is the same size as a 833 OD, you just have to drill the pattern and figure out the pilot bearing and clutch setup.
BaggedIndy
10-19-2007, 11:50 PM
Yeah I guess. It just talked about using a Chevy colorado tranny. Has the same pattern as an AX-15 and better gears. That's what I was thinking about the bell. If I remember correctly the input shaft is a little long.
Speed Dragon
10-20-2007, 07:36 AM
That is interesting.
84 Ram
10-20-2007, 10:10 PM
I have thought about moding or buying a bellhousing for the tremec or the t-5 but, I am unsure on which trans has the right lenght input shaft, I'm not that worried about the splines. If the trans has a different amount of splines all I woud have to do is change the clutch disk accordingly.
BaggedIndy
10-20-2007, 10:43 PM
The input on the tremec and the t-5 are the same as they both were available in the mustangs, unless your talking about a different tremec. Its no problem if its long, shim it out or machine it down. If you use an AX-15 bellhousing it needs a 7 1/2" input shaft. I'm not sure what the t-5 has.
Speed Dragon
10-21-2007, 11:34 AM
Can't use an AX-15 bell w/ a T5/Tremec, it's totally different.
You might want to look into using a Chevy T-5 trans also, from an F-body.
B-300
10-21-2007, 03:21 PM
The primary difference between the A and B-body 833 is the A-body has smaller bearings (front and rear), the bellhousing resiter is smaller (4.?" vs 5.25"), and the outputshaft spline matches a 904 auto instead of the larger 727 auto spline.
There is also the shifter location. Most tailhousings have the bosses cast for both with only one drilled and tapped..
84 Ram
10-21-2007, 07:36 PM
So with all of this said does anyone know if there are any of the close ratio 833 trans that will go in our trucks without a lot of mods. (a,b,or,e body)
Speed Dragon
10-21-2007, 08:15 PM
B-body should go in fine, from what I've heard. I would imagine a BB or Hemi trans would have good ratios. Or you could have Passon's build you one.
