My L52 is noisy and leaky, so I'm thinking of upgrading to a W56 sooner than later. It's longer and needs driveshaft mods and it has to be a forward-shift otherwise bla bla bla... but, about the crossmember:

Instead of moving the whole thing back, can't I fab up somekinda plate that moves just the rubber trans mount further back on the stock crossmember in its stock location? Or keep the rubber in the same place but bolt it further forward on the new transfer case? Seems a lot easier. I eyeballed front driveshaft clearance and at least with no lift (I don't and I won't) it seems it *should* work...

On a related note, are there any alternatives to a crossmember? I looked at Budbuilt, but paying 200 for something I have to jury-rig on with U-bolts does not sound good to me.

About the transfer case: will my original bolt up to a W56? If so, is there any other reason to use the one that comes with a W56? I hear this difference about "noisy" vs. "quiet" gears but mine doesn't seem noisy at all.

 

I know I could and I would think you can as well.

Just do some thinking before cutting the pieces

Not sure if the splines match on the cases and to lazy to go look.

 

I think this is what you are talking about, i did that. it works ok. 2 years ago it was just supposed to hold me over till i got around to installing my dual cases.

 

This may be a solution http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/yotam...r-plate.htmbut does not have a skid plate. Easy enough to make one.

Might be a good time to consider dual cases!!!!!

 

There used to be a plate the mounts it further back. I have one. That u don't need. I bought the bud bud built for mine. And used u-bolts.

 

I guess that confirms my eyeballs, that the front driveshaft doesn't have clearance issues? That's welded onto the stock x-member, yeah?

EDIT: looking carefully, I don't see a front driveshaft at all in your setup.

Yeah, somekinda skidplate or meaningful crossmember to protect the case seems necessary.

The reason for asking this question is so I can upgrade to a W56 now before my L52 goes kaput, without having to get deeper into other modifications and upgrades. The stock crossmember, rock anchor that it is, is itself something to upgrade regardless of t-case fitment.

You have one that I don't need? Or did you mean to type "that I don't need"? Can I buy yours?

 

U can buy it message me. I'll have to locate it first.

 

the u-bolts seem to be holding my w56 just fine.
If only that factory mount wasn't so damned big...

 

You are correct. i do not have a front driveshaft. The angle was too much and it kept blowing u-joints. With the W56 and the dual cases (soon to be) i should have about the right driveshaft angle. might also put a CV joint on there for good measure.

Note that i probably could not install the front shaft even if i wanted to due to clearance. There is a way to use angle iron and use that to move the entire cross member back.

 

So then... it does NOT fit?

Just to be clear: Has anyone installed a W56 in a first-gen, kept the stock crossmember, and bolted up a stock (well, lengthened) front driveshaft without clearance issues?

 

Moroza, You are correct. Mine does NOT fit. Perhaps you could use a spacer where the DL meets the Tcase? I do believe the TG dual case cross member will work with a single case setup. I could be mistaken though.

 

Someone makes a small spacer to extend the shaft slightly. But likely better to just do a square shaft.

 

how bad of an idea would it be to use a quality spacer on the drivelines as opposed to lengthening them?

 

Roger of 4Crawler off road makes the only d/s I would use
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...ftSpacer.shtml