4l60-NP205 Driveshaft issues need help

[Gunny Davis]

OK I really need help on this one cause I don't understand how no one else has had this problem.

I have a 72 Blazer stock ride hight with5.3 / 4l60e mated to the original NP205 with an Advanced Adapters conversion kit.
The problem is the front DriveShaft is literaly 1/4 inch from the Trans pan...

What the heck am I supposed to do about that?
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1337222062
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1337222080
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1337222080

[68GMCCustom]

modify the pan?

[Gunny Davis]

Tried a little manual modification (I hammerd in the corner of the pan). The driveshaft started out in cintact with the pan and I got about 1/4 inch after bashing the pan with a hammer. Rubs every time I hit the smallest bump so this is not going to work.

[68GMCCustom]

Can a notch be cut from the corner of the pan and then weld it back up?

[jjzepplin]

Looks like you may need a lift kit!!!!

[Thealien]

Here is what I did to my pan

[Gunny Davis]

After removing the Trans pan it really does not look like I can afford to collapse the corner too much because of the Trans guts. I was hoping Clinbarger would chime in on this one since he seems to be a Tans guy.

TheAlien - Thanks for the pic, that is basically what I did. Did that mod give you enough clearance? Do you have that double cardan joint?(sp?) It seems that is the most significant culprit for my clearance problem.

[jfortvalley]

i am pretty sure AD has an adapter that swings the transfer case down alittle and a lift kit would help too. you can also have a 2 peice shaft built for the front and i dont think this will help but the shallow pan from the early 4l60e might help also .

[Thealien]

I was one of the first to run into this problem. Since then a few have done the swap and I still can't figure it out? A couple of guys with no lift have had no clearance problems? The guyswith no problems are using the stepped trans pan. I have one but have not installed it yet. I do have the stock double cardon joint also and am at stock height. If I was going to wheel my Jimmy I would add a 4 inch lift which I think would alleviate the clearance problem. Since I don't wheel my Jimmy it hasn't been a problem. I have had it in 4WD and it has not made contact. I am also planning a little clearancing on the cardon joint when I eventually try the stepped pan. I installed my driveshaft with the pan out and there was IMHO enough room for clearancing. If the stepped pan does not solve the issue I am going to cut the corner out of the pan and using some thin clay I will stick that cut out part of the pan onto the transmission (thin clay giving me as much clearance as possible). I will then reinstall the pan and tack the cut out part to the pan, remove and finish welding? Thats my plan anyway. Hopefully someone will chime in and maybe there are certain year transmissions or valve bodies with more clearance? Maybe a better year pan. I too am curious. I will post my findings when I install my stepped pan but it will be a while. I start working 6 days a week on monday, won't even be able to enjoy driving it for a while!

Good luck

[Dale99]

I know this is an old thread, and bringing it to the top.

I'm installing a 95 4l60e, with np205, dorman pan. I have more interference then this. What was your solution?

[JJH Jimmy]

Originally Posted by Dale99

I know this is an old thread, and bringing it to the top.

I'm installing a 95 4l60e, with np205, dorman pan. I have more interference then this. What was your solution?

Here you go. I notched the pan. It seems to have given the drive shaft plenty of room.

[Bigdav160]

I don't think there is any magic here. You can dent the pan. You have , maybe 10mm before it contacts the 1-2 accumulator.

I haven't measured the difference between the deep and shallow pan but I can't imagine there is much difference in the rear section.

I think the u-joints are all the same on the front driveshaft maybe you could turn it 180º and put the cardan joint at the front axle.

I plan on doing my swap in the spring so maybe by then I'll have a better answer.

[Dale99]

No, you can not spin the DS around. Totally different mounting setups.

[Dale99]

huh, that looks like same pan I have, rather then the stock one.

I ended up pulling it, heating with torch and using flat body hammers to make a new roll.

[David623]

I am in the same situation, heating the pan and beating a dent or the one you take the pan off cut and weld a nice looking notch. I think that what I going to do. Good luck with yours

[Dale99]

I'm not a good welder, which is why I chose heat n hammer. I was worried I would have a leak at my weld.