ok so here it is, my 96 Dodge 3500 4x4 that I just put rebuilt the engine in got totaled,
I'm looking atputting my engine in a 82 chevy 4x4, I have a bellhousing with everything i need to install the the cummins in the chevy and use the chevy 4 speed trans, ( sm465 )
my question is, will the trans hold till i can get a 5 speed later ? I know the SM465 is one of the toufgher trans built for trucks in the past, with the ols 6.2 in front of it the truck ran 80 MPH @1900 rpm, truck has 373 gears now, also going to install the dodge dually rearend in truck with the 354 gears and change the front axel to 354 gears, and truck has the all metal , all gear transfer case from older 77 1 ton checy 4x4,

whats everybodys thoughts ?????

 

IMO, the SM465 is strong enough, but you need a ~3.0 axle ratio to make it viable for highway use; ~3.5 requires overdrive.

I'm building my ramcharger with 3.07 *and* OD.

 

SM 465 is more than stout enough but I'd definitely go with 3.08's with a Cummins.

Ive ran 3.42's with an sm465 and a 6.2 with no issues but I didn't take it on long trips, just local towing and dd. I've ran 3k rpms on 6.2/6.5's for an hour straight with no issues but I could see a Cummins cumapart

 

I ran a 6.2L in a Suburban with SM465 and 3.21 gears & 33" tires. I could keep up with traffic and pass too.

The 6BT will take the rpm... but its comfortable/usable zone is much lower. 90% of my driving is between 1000-2000rpm and I'm shifting into OD at 45-50mph. (That's the w250 in my sig.)

 

Never seen a Cummins happy at high rpm for long periods of time, especially a mostly stock one.

My 82 c10 had 3.08's and 700R4, I won't dare call it fast but once up to speed it was fine. Manually drop to D on the highway before you need to move and passing was ok.

With a 6.2/6.5 I've found 3.42's to be pretty versatile, cruises in OD nicely and lock it in 1:1 for towing with cruise set 60-65 and you can pull with ease.

 

If you already have all the cummins/SM465 adapter stuff, I can see why you'd want to run it.

Find an 8-lug 3.07 axle for $100-200 and go that route. (cummins/727 trucks, and certain ford diesels.)

Cummins 5spd stuff can be hard to find (and/or carry a hefty price) , but its out there (and affordable) if you spend the time looking.

 

Looks like I'll be using my auto Trans then out of my 96. I'll have to swap out to a right hand drop transfer case for the Chevy front axel. I've been having people ( kids ) that I need to box in the frame. All the ones I've helped my friends do on their 2wd trucks we didn't.

 

Is the transmission out of the 96 a 47re or a 47rh?

If its the 47re you might need to transplant the dodge electronics into the chevy truck to make it work right.

 

47 RE. I'll be using the dodge electronics