Transfer case in 2WD?

[TravisMartin]

I realize this is an off-the-wall question, but is there room under the floor of a 2WD cab (1978) for a transfer case? It's my understanding that the center floor on the 4WD cabs is different, but will it go?

I'm asking because I'm thinking of putting one under my 78 to make it easy to flat-tow behind my motorhome. I won't be changing the rest of the truck; just want to be able to throw the transfer case into neutral for towing. But I don't think I want to cut up the floor if it won't go. So I'm hoping someone has already tried this in doing a 2WD to 4WD conversion...

Thanks!

Travis

[TravisMartin]

I should add that this will be behind a 4L80E, so it will be back a little farther than with a TH400. And since I'm not going to install a front axle or drive shaft it won't matter which side the front output is on, if that helps any.

[geezer#99]

You're going to spend a chunk of money modding it.
I had one of these on my 84 when I bought it.
Sold it to a hotrodder in Ontario.
They cost about a grand.
http://www.remcodsc.com/driveShaft.php

[67swb72klb]

Its not that hard to slip the driveshaft off after the first time...

[TravisMartin]

You're both right, and I appreciate the replies. I could go with the Remco coupling, but was thinking I could accomplish the same thing with a transfer case. I'm doing a lot of work on the truck anyway. Crawling under it and slipping the shaft loose isn't a huge deal at all, but my plan is to live in the bus when I retire and I'll likely want to be able to connect and disconnect without getting dirty. If I stay with the two-piece drive shaft I can use the Remco coupling pretty easily.

Again, I appreciate the suggestions but I'd still like to know if the transfer case will fit under there without a front driveshaft...

[TravisMartin]

Another advantage I see to the transfer case is that I can have a speedometer drive gear and thus not have to go to an electronic speedometer. My truck has factory tach and I didn't want to give that up, and didn't really want to have to repaint the speedometer face for it to match the '78 cluster.

[74CustomK20]

I did mine yea. I didn't cut the section out, but opted for the 2" body lift to clear it. I went with a NP205. Other tasks might work better though so you can always look into that. But on my low hump c30 cab I had to do a 2" Boxy Lift

[TravisMartin]

Thanks; I guess that's my answer then...I really don't want to modify the body. I was hoping it would work if I wasn't going to hook up the front drive or install a shifter (plan was to use an electric shift...)

I'm doing extensive restoration on the truck though, so it might not be a huge deal to replace the hump. I have access to a 4WD cab donor as well; I was just hoping not to need it.

[74CustomK20]

Hmm... I used a sm465 trans which I'd like a foot long. Yours might work better, I would break out a tape measure n see how it works. Plus, if you'really not going to use the front driveshaft you could use a driver side drop, which gives many more options... wonder if the s10 cases are smaller enough to make a difference...

[TravisMartin]

Hadn't thought about S10; I assumed they all used the same cases, or at least similar. Might be worth a look. Thanks!

[74CustomK20]

If you get a new model one or so they're electronic shift so you won't have to mount a lever or anything either...

[nonstop]

What about a divorced 205? Mount it as far back as you want, and use a PTO cable to shift it into neutral. Dodge and Ford used them a lot. You also wouldn't need to do transmission work to bolt it up.

[TravisMartin]

I wasn't familiar with that---had to google it. I can see how it would work, but don't see how it would help with my floor pan clearance?

[68c10owner]

I have no input on the transfer case but what about just putting the truck on a trailer and towing it?

[nonstop]

Familiar with what, the divorced 205? It could help because you could mount it as far back as you want, including under the bed where there would be more room, and not have to mess with the cab floor.

[TravisMartin]

I see what you mean. I'll look at that when the weather clears. Thanks!

[andrewmp6]

You could get the gauges and gauge panel out of a 91 k5/susburban/crew cab those was still square body trucks.A married t case on a 2wd trans is a lot of money and you gotta almost fully gut the trans to do it.A divorced t case might work but your gonna have a nightmare finding one since the last ones used was late 70s.Then you gotta make crossmembers and mounts to hold the t case then two drive shafts one short from the trans to the t case then one from the t case to the rear end.And have to rig up the shifters either with linkage or cable shifter.I would trailer the truck or drive it but thats just me.

[slotard]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

You could get the gauges and gauge panel out of a 91 k5/susburban/crew cab those was still square body trucks.A married t case on a 2wd trans is a lot of money and you gotta almost fully gut the trans to do it.A divorced t case might work but your gonna have a nightmare finding one since the last ones used was late 70s.Then you gotta make crossmembers and mounts to hold the t case then two drive shafts one short from the trans to the t case then one from the t case to the rear end.And have to rig up the shifters either with linkage or cable shifter.I would trailer the truck or drive it but thats just me.

It's pretty easy to find a 4L80E 4WD setup cheap around here. I've seen them for as little as $300.

[bhc41051]

Whichever transfer case you use it's going to make a wonderful "I just looked at a truck for sale and guess what the owner did" story.

[Jonboy]

Originally Posted by slotard

It's pretty easy to find a 4L80E 4WD setup cheap around here. I've seen them for as little as $300.

If you aren't concerned with hooking up the front drive shaft, then a 4x4 4L80e and drivers side drop 241 transfer case would be ideal if you could get them together.

[68c10owner]

I still think putting it on a trailer and towing it would be a lot easier and possibly cheaper as well.