Diff ratio's for holden 202 in Bedford van 1978

[grason]

Hi All,
This is a can of worms I am guessing.  I have just brought a bedford 1978 has a lovely 202 in it.  on the way home the 5 speed celica box lost 5th gear. 
I am going to be using it as a people mover, kids bikes etc. 
Wanting it to be fuel efficient and cruse in the sweet spot 2200 rpm or so.
As current box is stuffed I am starting with motor only 202.
Suggestions for best gearbox and diff, set up for the 202 in my bedford.
Failing that does anyone know of a "expert" in New Zealand I can talk to???
Appreciate the help.
 

[BusyKiwi]

Do you want auto or manual, is the current diff a standard one or a cresta ?

[greasey monkey]

Hi All,
This is a can of worms I am guessing.  I have just brought a bedford 1978 has a lovely 202 in it.  on the way home the 5 speed celica box lost 5th gear. 
I am going to be using it as a people mover, kids bikes etc. 
Wanting it to be fuel efficient and cruse in the sweet spot 2200 rpm or so.
As current box is stuffed I am starting with motor only 202.
Suggestions for best gearbox and diff, set up for the 202 in my bedford.
Failing that does anyone know of a "expert" in New Zealand I can talk to???
Appreciate the help.
 

where in the land of the long white cloud are you?? there are plenty guys out there like BusyKiwi up in Auckland or Jeff down here in the South island that know their bedfords inside and out and plenty others around to help out with advice
the Celica g/boxs are normally pretty good and usually a strong box well depending on model, it depends on whether you want a manual or auto trans as things can be adapted the old th350s bolt up to some of the 202s or there is the trusty old trimatic that was factory behind the 202s or you can get technical depending on far you want to go and put a commodore 4l60e auto behind it.
manuals you could always get your celica box fixed or upgrade to a T5 but again its down to cost n how far you want to go.
diffs well the bedford diff are notoriously known for not having a decent ratio, depending on budget you could get go with a widened commodore diff, 10 or 12bolt chev or as few run the ford 9in - a older ford galaxie is pretty much the same width as a bedford diff but finding them is a bit hard. I know a few guys that run a Au series falcon diff with spacers/adapaters to make them the right width


Scott

[grason]

HI Guys,
Thank you for all your input.
I would like to stick to manual, the 5 speed box that is in it before 5th went out it would do 100k at bang on 3,000 rpm.  I have been told that 202's don't like to rev high and to be fair I found its sweet spot to be about 2,200 rpm.

To be honest I have only just brought it (knowing it is basically a shell).  I need to steam clean underneath to find out what diff it is as I have no idea.

What I am looking to do is create a family wagon with some character as I really don't like the look of people movers.  But want it to be economical.
Years ago i had a bedford with a 308 in it with trymatic auto and the ratio was wrong and cost a fortune to run so wanting to get this one right.
I am central North island (Te Aroha) only an hour and a half from Auckland.

Thanks Guys.