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Just got my hands of a decent looking SM465 & NP205 that I had planned on putting behind the 350 in my 715. Got to thinking about it last nite and wondered if anyone had ever tried to mount this combo in front of the NP200 and use it as a doubler. I know the 200 has heating probs that would not go away, would it be best just to use the 205? Would front drive shaft be too long since it appears the 200 would move rearwards about 12"?
I moved this away from the website help forum.
A married 465/205 is a real easy swap to do. Yes, new drive shafts need to be cut and the crossmember has to be made to work. But, you end up with a tried and true combination that will go as fast and as long as your wallet can afford the gas.
Using it in front of the 200 would give you a 4:1 ratio of both were in low. Actually, a 3.96:1, but you get the idea. If you had a flat flange on the back of the 205 and another on the input of the 200, you "might" be able to bolt them up direct without drive shaft changes. Your engine might end up a little bit more forward than normal though.
But, you will still be limited to about 45-50 mph down the highway because of the 200 heating issues. Do you plan on doing a lot of crawling or somthing low speed like that? I ask because stock 9.00-16 tires, the 5.87 axles and low on the 200 is pretty darn slow in granny gear. I would hate for you to spend the time and money doing the doubler thing only to never use it and still be the slowest thing on the highway.
Just for accuracy...
1.98:1 low range in the NP205 TIMES 1.96 low range in the NP200=3.8808 low range total.
Sorry, I had 1.98 in my head for both.
There would also be the issue of the NP200 front output/front drive shaft interfering with the case of the NP205. You would have to use a Ford NP205 (driver's side drop), or clock the Chevy NP205 and NP200 so the front drive shaft clears, or cut the front output part of the case off of the NP205 and weld on a new cover like this:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showp...5&postcount=20
If you feel you really need a doubler, I think it would be easier to get a NP203 and do the proven 203/205 doubler.
...and with the compounded low-low AND adding V-8 power, I think your u-joints and axle shafts would be very short-lived.
And I too wonder about the need for doubler?? From what I understand, the ultra-low gearing is pretty much rock-crawler stuff, not a place one would expect to find an M715 with all of it's stiffness and brawn.
I do dig the "what-if" questioning, don't get me wrong, but ... "why"?
When a ratio of about 100:1 is reached, you get beyond the brakes ability to stop the wheels rotation....
I wouldn't re use the 200. It is THE weak link in the drive train in my opinion. My truck is laid up right now because I pushed the 200 too hard on the highway. What Boondocker said above sounds like the best idea if you need a doubler. I would prefer overdrive myself.