5.3 LS swap w NV3500 shifter placement?

[Eagle5]

I've got the engine and transmission sitting my 1981 Wagoneer, but the shift tower is 1 or 2 inches to far forward. Is there a different manual transmission ( or some other way) that will line up better?

I'm using the full size truck nv3500 from the 1993 or 1994 time period

[Yeller]

Did you try moving the motor back? I’ve seen several FSJ LS swaps with the engine way far forward. Not sure if it’s from using premade mounts or what, haven’t asked or dug into it, just admired their work.

[Eagle5]

There's no more room to move the engine further back. I plan on fabing my own motor mounts, but I'm working on the transmission mount right now.

[Yeller]

The shifter location on the GM version 3500 is further forward than in an AX15/Jeep NV3500. You may have to fab up a custom shifter stick and adjust the hole location in the floor

[Eagle5]

The brackets pushes the transmission up pretty high, so there's not enough room for the shift tower at all. I'll have to re-think this. Thanks for the response.

[akguy09]

Pictures would help so people can see what you’re talking about

[Eagle5]

Here are a few pics.

[imghttps://www.dropbox.com/s/vsfseg063peekxb/0823221732.jpg?dl=0[/img]

[Yeller]

adjust the hole so it will fit.

[akguy09]

I would just adjust the hole and then weld the rest shut, it doesn’t look that far off

[Eagle5]

I would like to avoid cutting the body for this. I'm going to try a custom crossmember. That will allow me to drop it down 1.5 inches. That might be enough.... We'll see.