Dodge D200 Sweptline Engine Tranny Swap.

[BigPoppa]

I'm building a 1963 Dodge D200 Sweptline truck. I have a Mopar Magnum 360/380 crate motor connected to an A500 4 speed automatic transmission. This system was donated/sponsored by Daimler Chrysler back in 2000 and then it just set on the shelf until this year. My plan is to use this setup to power my D200 truck. My question is in regards to the A500 tranny. The truck will be a daily driver but occasionally it will be used to tow my classic cars to shows 200-300 miles away. Is the A500 tranny suited for towing or do I have any other options for a 4 or 5 speed automatic transmission without a computer. I have a 1955 Plymouth wagon with a 5.7 Chrysler HEMI with 545RFE tranny, which we love but everyone tells me the 360/380 Magnum is possibly a better motor that the 5.7 HEMI. Any suggestions on the tranny for the Magnum engine would be most appreciated.

 

[BigPoppa]

I'm building a 1963 Dodge D200 Sweptline truck. I have a Mopar Magnum 360/380 crate motor connected to an A500 4 speed automatic transmission. This system was donated/sponsored by Daimler Chrysler back in 2000 and then it just set on the shelf until this year. My plan is to use this setup to power my D200 truck. My question is in regards to the A500 tranny. The truck will be a daily driver but occasionally it will be used to tow my classic cars to shows 200-300 miles away. Is the A500 tranny suited for towing or do I have any other options for a 4 or 5 speed automatic transmission without a computer. I have a 1955 Plymouth wagon with a 5.7 Chrysler HEMI with 545RFE tranny, which we love but everyone tells me the 360/380 Magnum is possibly a better motor that the 5.7 HEMI. Any suggestions on the tranny for the Magnum engine would be most appreciated.

 

[BigPoppa]

My 1955 Plymouth Wagon: Plymouth BA/GT
This is the truck the Magnum Engine will be going into.

 

[jas0162]

Nice looking truck... not as rusty as most. The a500 will work but a 518 would be better for towing. They were non computer thru 95. Use a good cooler

 

[BigPoppa]

jas0162, thanks for the quick response, I have a couple good local transmission shops I know and perhaps I can work a swap for a rebuilt 518.
Take a look at my wife's 1955 plymouth wagon we finished a couple years ago: Plymouth BA/GT Hopefully the truck will eventually be as nice as the wagon.

 

[TrailBeast]

jas0162, thanks for the quick response, I have a couple good local transmission shops I know and perhaps I can work a swap for a rebuilt 518.
Take a look at my wife's 1955 plymouth wagon we finished a couple years ago: Plymouth BA/GT Hopefully the truck will eventually be as nice as the wagon.
View attachment 1715098152

Nice wagon, and a good project on the truck.
Remember that the A500 is normally used in trucks with a 5k towing capacity, but that said I also think the 518 would be a better choice for a truck for towing.
There are guys on here that would love to get their hands on an A500 for their car.

 

[BigPoppa]

TrailBeast, thanks for the response, My A500 is connected to a Mopar Magnum 360/380HP crate motor neither of which have never been cranked. Based on my research this morning I'll be searching locally for a rebuilt A518RH/46RH. What ever it cost me for the A518RH, I'll be happy to sell the A500 for the same price,plus shipping cost.