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A mod for the NP200 keeps coming up but is it truth or phurfey?? The story goes, a gear set from another model NP series transfer case changes gives a mild overdrive and a lower low range, sounds off to me as I can't see it being workable and if it was surely everyone on here would have it????

MM

Never heard of it or I'd be looking to add it. Since I'm now driving no faster than around 40mph I could certainly use another gear.
Gary

Never heard of it.

Cool, a few of the guys on the 4x4 forums mentioned it but it was back in old threads and I was curious, even my Uncle who owned the other M37 that was in Tasmania said it was something to do with an ambulance transfer case but there is no difference in them as we all know. It's a pity we can't get an overdrive like the Land cruisers and Land rovers had available to them, a Fairey overdrive was the choice back in the day....
Saying that, are the diffs happy to spin at 60Mph all day, the best drivetrain config I have seen on an M37 to modernise it is a high output fuel injected engine with an overdrive auto behind it, the Np200 and a set of Dana 60 and 70 diffs with suitable sized tyres but we're talking big dollars now. I am toying with the idea of instead of rebuilding my 318 I would replace the engine and transmission with a very modern equivalent that is happy to rev hard all day, provide a mild overdrive to cut engine revs to reduce noise and wear (I am still happy to chug about at 50 Mph)
I am also looking at getting made up a set of axles for the rear that use a separate hub and straight axle design as other brands of vehicle do, I have new standard axles fitted and they should be fine but I like the ace up the sleeve of a high quality modern axle axle in the works. The pair I bought were $500 landed so local manufacture as opposed to freighting is also attractive as an option.
The problem is I came to an impasse a few weeks ago, I almost sold the Dodge but when it came to the crunch I could not let it go as once the prospective new owner was talking about changing this and that and removing a lot of the stuff I had made, and it bothered me, therefore I realised I must still want it and kept the truck.
The points that bug me are:
- Ageing steering design that is heavy
- Brakes, Discs are great but I need to get the dual cylinder system working as the singly cylinder system is wearing out.
- Manual transmission, I want and auto but I lose the PTO winch drive, it would open a whole new can of worms.
- Standard rear axles, can I really rely on them in a hard pinch? (and yes, I remember I accidentally killed my Tibus axles)
- The whole top I built for the truck, looks ok and not a lot of work to finish it but I know I could make something better.

Maybe?? it's a midlife thing or a reflecting on what I have dome thing but either way I need to make the truck into something I feel a lot happier to drive and here I am having an open minded think about everything and probably not something you guys want to hear but what are your thoughts on the matter?

MM

Its your truck and you can do whatever you wish to suit your needs. I have no qualms about modernizing things that aren't readily noticeable (alternator, 12V system, civvy wiring harness) but like to retain the stock appearance when its viewed from a distance, or in the cab. Power steering and disc brakes would be nice, but too expensive for me, and I'm not putting so many miles on it that I tire of the armstrong steering and manual brakes. I'd like to add lockers and combat rims some day-the lockers maintain my stance of internal upgrades that can't be seen while the combat rims enhance the appearance of the M.

I'd hate to one day have "seller's remorse" after all the work I put into saving this one, and I'm too far along in life to take on another big truck-this one has become a member of our family since I've owned it 11 years so it pains me to know that the time will come when I have to pass it on into (I hope) respectful hands that won't butcher it up.
Just my 2 cents,
Gary

I have no problems modding the vehicle, if I was a bit more financial I would put 4.9's in the diffs, a diesel auto combo in the drive and I can convert the drive on the winch to electric or hydraulic without too much worry or if I find an small Allison auto the PTO option is still available. Power steering is being a bugbear given the right hand drive setup but we will get there and the brake hydraulics upgrade is also just a matter of time and money. I have had my truck for 19 years, it is now on club registration that limits it's use a little but not too much, the tyre problem has now been fixed so that is one major problem down and the engine, although worn and using oil starts and runs just fine. Anyway, just putting a few ideas out there and wanted to ask the NP 200 question and get what I always value a lot, and that is your opinions

MM

Wasn't that in the Zentmeyr (?) or equivalent little parts interchange booklet that he put out? I was just looking thru it this weekend and from memory he mentions a WW2 Dodge 3/4 ton transfer case that has a gear ratio that moves the shift points out so that you basically get gearing in between where your transmission/transfer case points are now (he makes the point that the current transmission/transfer case gearing puts both sets of gears basically on top of one another). I'll take a look at it tonight and add some info. I think he also said that it has an inline output shaft instead of the offset output shaft that the M37 transfer case has.

I'm using straight axles and flanges on the rear diff in my M37. No biggie.

I've first used oem front axle flanges but the cast iron is soft and the axles wore the splines on the flanges. Next I had a set of oem flanges heat treated and those are still holding on. (I keep another set under my seat, just in case)

Remember my beast has a centered D70 rear flanged to accept Dodge oem front spindles, so I kept the oem hub, brakes, wheels and all.

I went the diesel and OD tranny way almost 20 years ago and it's the best thing I've done. The setup is still working though the 6.2 (bought used) is kind of tired now 200k miles after...

The second best mod was going the radial tires way.

Just my 0.2 MM