well... the NV4500 from a 2500 looks like a better swap. I wonder what is all involved. different output shaft? hrmmm. most likely a direct swap too.

 

Speed Engineering sells a custom input gear for the NP8 transfer case (and it probably fits others too) so you can bolt up a 4L80E to a 60E transfer case. Might be worth giving them a shout to see if they can make you or refer you to someone who will make you an input gear that will work with the T-56. Or, maybe the T-56 output shaft will fit right into the input gear of the t-case? I think most of the guys doing 2wd 4L60E to T-56 conversions were using the same driveshaft, just modified. The output shafts on the 60E and T-56 might be the same.

 

well... looking at the cases and their performance the nv4500 has 4 things going for it.

deep 1st gear for pulling a boat up a ramp
almost a direct bolt in, used in other silverados
better gear spacing for my current front and rear end
more torque capacity than the t56.

the t56 has 2 things going for it.

deep 6th gear for tall diff gears
6 speeds

thoughts>?

 

if you're just wanting a manual for anything but performance, than the stick shifts that came in the trucks would be fine. The truck transmissions arent going to have nice short throws. I'm kinda surprised someone hasnt made some type of kit. I would def buy it.

 

hmmm... i think i need to roll by a dealer today and try one with a manual in it. if its not too bad it can always be modified. quick google search turned up a few short throw shifters also.

 

sweet..

 

You are correct. The output shafts are the same number of splines and everything. An interesting side note though is that the driveshaft slid onto the T56 with a lot less slop and play than with the 60E.

Anyway, the only issue I see with 4wd is with the shifter. Since the tailshaft will have to be different, then the shifter will need to be relocated further foward. It's not really that big of a deal though as some Mustangs use the foward shifter location, and Keisler can help with the parts. It's just that the shifter will come through the floor at a less ergonomic location. But that's nothing a custom handle couldn't fix.

We all know a custom tailshaft will be needed, but I don't think it would be that hard to make. A divorced setup would probably be the easiest too. You probably wouldn't need an extra cross member to support the TC either, because the T56 case is really stout because of the f-body torque arm mounting. The VSS is mounted in the tailshaft, so provions for that on the custom one would need to be made. If it were me, I'd work with a very knowlegdable aluminum machine shop and modify the stocker.

For the record: Mark Steilow built T56 in a AWD car. It was called the Quadra Duece and it used a front diff/TC and parts from a Sy/Ty/Safari, but everything else was custom. I think he worked with Keisler too.

edit: Also the T56 and the 60E are damn near the same overall length

 

Hummmmmm, a 6 speed SS would be awsome! I whish I could row my own...

 

A couple of pics for reference and to get your minds wandering:


Check out the tail housing:

 

How many times have we heard" im going to do it no matter what" I would like for once to see it actually happen.