Hi all! I have a '73 powerwagon that has a 225 slant six with a 3 speed a 250 stick on the column. I was wondering if a 3 speed witha a 833 overdrive trans out of a '85 dodge ram (found in a recent visit to a local junk yard), 2WD, 6cyl, would work in my truck and if it is worth it. I do a lot of highway driving and would love to keep down the revs...not to mention the current gas prices!! Thanks Kevin

forgot if your truck has 4x4, if that doesn't factor into the issue (like mated 4x4 unit...etc...), then getting the bellhousing, tranny, floor hump (cut some extra metal so you have something to weld to your truck floor with...), shifter, shift rods, driveline yoke to be safe (not sure if the A-250 used the A-833/727 large yoke...), and swap it all in....

check the articles section of the board about the A-833OD, it's a fairly simple tranny but may not be as durable if you haul any heavy loads or tow regularly....

-D.Idiot

An afternoon and your friend the 'tranny jack' should get it done....

Not sure whether you knew this or not, but the 833OD is a 4 speed, not 3.
I wonder who started the rumor of the "3 speed overdrive" trans?? I own 2 Jeep Wranglers. As an example they both have 5 speed manual transmissions. In both cases, 5th is overdrive. Never heard anyone refer to them as a 4 speed overdrive. Id be willing to bet it was one of Ford's better ideas. I know that throughout the 80's, they offered a 4 speed trans in their trucks (mainly 1/2 tons) that was similar to an A833 OD, where 4th gear was overdrive.

Sorry about that Volaredon....I did mean that it is a 4 speed. Sometimes my mind goes on pause! I'll see if I can get down to the yard next week and maybe get the whole setup. Hey DI...if I don't take it it's yours...but you have to come to Pa to get it. Ok. I'll even bring some tools and help you!

I already know of two more here in a local yard...I don't need the truck trannies...LOL

good luck on your transplant.

-D.Idiot

I have just recently converted my 85 d150 from a 727 automatic to a A833 four speed. You only need to cut a small hole for the shifter and one dent for clearance on one shifter rod. I got a large Mr Gasket shifter boot from Autozone that makes the conversion look nice and neat.
The A833 is a four speed, But performs like a 3 speed overdrive. I got the complete set up from a junk yard but didn't get the lower rear axle gears. Right now I'm driving it with 3.23:1 gears and overdrive performance is poor. Top speed in overdrive is 75 mph. Gas mileage improved greatly as long as you cruise at at or below 65 mph at 75 mph it feels like your towing something and gas milage really drops off. I would recommend that anybody doing this swap use a 3.55 or 4.11:1 axle ratio.
Good Luck