Posted by Charlie on March 07, 1998 at 00:12:16:
In Reply to: Hook up to transfer posted by Booher on March 05, 1998 at 18:33:17:
You have a problem. 3-4" is too short for a jackshaft; you need 2 u-joints plus a short slip shaft with at least 1/2" of travel. If you attempy to connect them with simply one u-joint something will break because of the relative motions, especially since your 327 is probably on softer motor mounts than the original motor. Your choices are: 1) move the transfer case back 5-6". 2) Use the appropriate NP205 and attempt (I think it's possible) to set up the rear output offset. 3) Use the same NP205 and use a rear axle with centered diff, but WW2 3/4 ton Dodge rear axles are, I believe, almost 3" wider than the M37.
When I installed my Hercules in the M37 with a 15" Clark 5spd, I had an 8" jackshaft made with 1" of slip. I had to change from flanges to yokes to get enough length to play with. Can you change (shorten) the rear tailhousing of the automatic to get another 5"? Or how about a New Venture 4500 5spd manual? Or a Clark 280VO?
Charlie