If brg. noise is the only thing wrong with the trans. you can replace brgs without a complete tear down of the trans. Its usually the front drive brg. that goes bad & causes a lot of noise in the lower gears & quite in 4th gear. With a 283 the 3:08 rear gear is about all it will pull. Your gas mileage is real good & the engine is not screaming going down the highway.
The NV4200 is a monster heavy trans. you don't need with a 283. If you do add o-drive the T-5 will work good behind the 283 as long as you don't torcher it.
George
