I have made a little progress. I was able to replace the speedometer gear to the correct one. This is so the speedo will show the correct speed….kinda important. I have learned some more about my truck. It was originally a three speed manual. I think it was changed to a automatic when the engine was changed and someone did not want to take the time to put the correct speedometer gear in and put an adapter on. This is a picture of the adapter and the old speedo gear.

The item on the left is the adapter. Not sure what someone was thinking but this thing costs about $40. Ordering the correct speedo gear (items on the right) cost less. So I removed all this and got the correct one in. You will see the difference in the following pictures.

But first…..I had to so a little work on the transmission pan. It was scratched up bad, and even though this will be changed later I wanted to make it look a little better. Here is what it looked like after I sanded off the bad paint and after I put etching primer on. Etching primer will make the paint adhere better. This took some work with the drill and a wire brush attachment. Two layers on paint to take off. 

Then I was able to start putting it together.

But wait…..look at these two parts. Do they look different than the ones above, parts on the white towel. ……..hard to tell in the picture. The old larger gear was purple and the small one was orange. The new larger gear color is orange and the smaller one is red. What does this all mean…..Well, that’s because the different colors mean different ratios… I ordered the new ones based on my rear diff axle ratio and the size of my tires and of course the type of transmission I have. TH 350. The two pieces work together and as supper easy to put on. They just slide on with a locking clip…easy…easy…… which I why I wondering why someone just did not do it right when they swapped.

So, it should be in sync to show the correct speed on the speedo. A lot of people go out and get bigger tires and don’t know that doing this will mess up your speedo readings. Either showing faster or slower than you are actually going. There is a formula and according to TCI transmissions I should have it right now.

Here is the completed assembly. Speedo cable attached in the pic on the left.

Next after getting the new universal joints and center bearing pressed on at the shop. I don’t have the tools to do this, you have to have a hydraulic press to put the center bearing on….you can get universal joints in without and press, but its risky, in my opinion. They may not seat properly. I put the new drive shaft or (prop shaft) as they call it in the UK in. Oh….and its all painted up and everything and turning smooth. 

Here it is:

I am now waiting on a new headlight switch to get here and I will be hopefully with get all my dash gauges lighted properly. Which is coming soon…here is a preview…….I am working with this. Looks like fun.