RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Dodge w250
On average a manual will get slightly better mileage but it's a heavy truck and nothing is going to make a huge difference. My advice is to go with what you like. If you really want a manual, you can swap it out but I can only imagine the struggle it would be to locate a Dodge NP435 4speed in Iceland. Now if you were to swap in a 5 speed, then you might see some improvement in economy on the highway but again, it's still a big heavy truck and a lot of your gas is burned up in acceleration.
I have a 1988 Ramcharger with a factory 4 speed and it doesn't get any better mileage than my old '84 Ramcharger which was a 727 automatic. I thought it would get worse when I swapped in the 8 lug Dana 60s with 4.10 gears but I guess the lower gearing helps get the weight moving so it cancels out the higher cruising RPM in my daily commute.
Anyway, I honestly wouldn't swap to a 4speed just for the economy because I don't think you are going to save a lot considering the time and trouble you are going to run into gathering all the parts to make the swap. Even here in the States it can be difficult to locate all the pedals, linkage and bellhousings to do a 4 speed swap. Well, it's not too had to find the stuff, but it's hard to get someone to let go of it once you have found it, lol. I have a spare NP435, NP241 and all the related mechanical linkage pieces here but I am keeping them as spares for my trucks. I guess a 5 speed might be worth the effort but it depends on what the parts would cost and I would research it completely before attempting it since getting it all to fit in your truck with the 205 can be a hassle.
Eh, just stick with the 727, lol.
