[hatzie]

Originally Posted by Gregski

So the transmission is fixed, it no longer makes the strange Chubaca noise, however it is not a quiet / silent transmission like a modern day Toyota one, ha ha, don't get me wrong it doesn't grind or rattle but it just kinda sounds like an 80s transmission ought to sound, even after a proper rebuild.

So do I like it? Short answer is not really.

Which transmission do I like better the NP833 or the Saginaw? The Saginaw by far. Why? it is a much more fun truck to drive, it is peppier. Compared, the NP833 feels like I am haulin a load of cement in the back, ha ha. Keep in mind this Saginaw came from a little Vega or a Monza so it was geared for less torque which makes it quicker rather than faster, I may be explaining this wrong, but you know what I mean.

So here is what I learned, so I will share / repeat (cause you all know this already)


GEARS-----NP833 RATIO-----SAGINAW RATIO
1st-------------3.09------------------3.50
2nd------------1.67------------------2.40
3rd------------ 1.00------------------1.65
4th-------------.73-------------------1.00

the bigger the RATIO number the quicker the truck in that gear (of course assuming the rear differential ratio stays the same as in my case it did, I did not run out and swap the rear end to the 4.11 gears, although yes I am thinking about it especially now that I have Overdrive again), so stay tunned

The A833 is tougher than the Saginaw but it's geared for long distance freeway driving.

I liked the Saginaw automobile 4 speeds' evenly spaced gears for daily driving in my first 1/2 ton, and the A-Body LeMans I had in high school, rather than the huge jump from 1st to 2nd like most truck transmissions. It'll last a long long time as long as you don't do burnouts and it's probably better for fuel mileage around town.

A Gear Vendors Overdrive on the A833 would allow you to split shift 1st or a Ranger under-drive would let you split shift 2nd but they're too bloody expensive for just one more gear.