driver side drop transfer case - front axle swap

[hikui_oni]

working on a 68 k10 and i just picked up my donor 2001 sierra.... LM7, 4L60E... i havent ID'ed the tcase yet but i can if that's important to answer my question.

i would like to use as much as i can out of this truck, ideally swap the entire drivetrain. i know the transfer case is going to drop out to the opposite side and that most people opt for the NP205 to solve this...

outside of needing driveshafts to fit, shorten the axle, and remount the leaf spring perches... is it possible to swap out the front axle to fix this problem?

i can't seem to find any documented examples to follow for this so i'm looking for guidance. what am i missing?

[HO455]

It's likely that using a Dana 44 from a Ford would be the easiest way to use your transfer case. The older Fords use a drivers side pumpkin set up and there are a lot of different axle widths available as well as disc brakes. If your looking to lift it there are top pinion axles too but they are very spendy these days.

You might consider have this thread moved to the 4x4 section as there are lots of knowledgeable folks there.

And if I haven't said it before Welcome Aboard

[kwmech]

Saw both of these couple weeks ago

https://goldcountry.craigslist.org/p...747024896.html

https://goldcountry.craigslist.org/p...754049699.html



quite a few miles away but they are out there

[hikui_oni]

i guess i'm moreso wondering what i'm getting into trying to use the axle from my 2001 sierra

[kwmech]

A LOT of fabrication work to make it work right and get a decent alignment. The straight axle will bolt in, from there will be the disc brake conversion at the master cylinder with the correct prop valve and have a driveshaft fitted, and get a 2wd steering box and have a tie rod made for the steering

[hikui_oni]

Alright thanks for pointing me in the right direction....I'm starting to understand, my sierra has IFS and it's much more common for people to either swap to a solid axle or use the np205 to fit the existing axle . Np205 looks a bit cheaper but I haven't investigated the adapters yet. Assuming that's why it's a much more conventional route

[cj847]

In my mind your options are: use the Sierra T case and the afore mentioned Ford front axle swap or find a passenger drop NP241C. The beauty of it is direct bolt up to a 4L60 without expensive aftermarket adapters. Unfortunately, the passenger drop version is a little hard to find as it was only used on 88-91 Suburbans and K5's. I think the NP 208 is also a direct bolt up. Actually, probably any passenger drop case that bolted to TH350 will bolt to a 4L60.
PS> cases that bolt to a TH400 use a different output/input spline count than those that bolt to a 350.

[Richard]

Pretty common to use a driver drop axle (Ford) on 88-98 solid axle conversions. Here is a conversion kit that also has information on axles https://www.offroaddesign.com/88-98-...onversion.html