Weird Transfer Case Question

[ProTouring442]

I once saw a motorcycle hauler based on a GM truck where the bed was very low. Apparently, they converted the transfer case to run in FWD only.

I would like to do this on a motorhome build (Clark Cortez) I am considering.

Any thoughts on how? What case to use?

I know, I'm a lunatic.

Thanks!

[sierrablue]

Driver's or pass drop?

Any tcase that goes straight through (no diff) should be fine, although for that I would think you'd want a gear driven over a chain-driven case. D18, D20, D300, NP205, Atlas...I'm sure I'm missing some.

I would say you'll probably want CV joints over u joints in the front (axle shafts), if you can. If I didn't have 2wd I'd be looking at that for mine.

[Stuka]

If its something as heavy as a motorhome, best to use something like an NP205. You would want it to be gear driven (The chain drive cases really aren't designed to have 100% of the torque going through the chain), and it would need to be one with a pump so that it doesn't overheat (Common issue for cases like the NP200).

The bigger issue I see is that putting a solid axle that is strong enough for the load is going to lift the motorhome way up, defeating the purpose of it being low. Unless you are going with an IFS setup from like a GM truck. Maybe that can be grafted onto which ever frame is being used.

And then it back you would basically use a trailer axle or something without a pumpkin to get the bed height to be lower.

[ProTouring442]

If its something as heavy as a motorhome, best to use something like an NP205. You would want it to be gear driven (The chain drive cases really aren't designed to have 100% of the torque going through the chain), and it would need to be one with a pump so that it doesn't overheat (Common issue for cases like the NP200).

The bigger issue I see is that putting a solid axle that is strong enough for the load is going to lift the motorhome way up, defeating the purpose of it being low. Unless you are going with an IFS setup from like a GM truck. Maybe that can be grafted onto which ever frame is being used.

And then it back you would basically use a trailer axle or something without a pumpkin to get the bed height to be lower.

From the factory, the Clark Cortez is a FWD motorhome. They're relatively small (20', tops), but use a Chrysler Slant 6 and a Clark, 4-speed manual transmission.

[Stuka]

Ahh, found some photos of them. Its a neat setup, gives a lot of interior space, and a low deck height. But they use a transaxle. I am not sure you could use a conventional engine/trans/t-case setup, as the front axle would have to go through the transmission, even if it was IFS. its all pretty low slung.

Unless the Clark was just an example, and not what you would actually be using.

There was a version that used the engine/transaxle from an Olds Toronado.

[ProTouring442]

Ahh, found some photos of them. Its a neat setup, gives a lot of interior space, and a low deck height. But they use a transaxle. I am not sure you could use a conventional engine/trans/t-case setup, as the front axle would have to go through the transmission, even if it was IFS. its all pretty low slung.

Unless the Clark was just an example, and not what you would actually be using.

There was a version that used the engine/transaxle from an Olds Toronado.

I may go with a Toronado UPP. Like I said, just thinking at the moment. There's a Clark up the street from me I'm considering.

[Kowpie]

Full Custom Ian, who has a YouTube channel, is building a front wheel drive car hauler using a similar technique that you are researching. He has stated how he wants this to be low-ish. Maybe his videos and future build can help?

[shortbus4x4]

Most of the front wheel drive motorhomes I've worked on were 70s GMs with the 455 V8 and the Olds Toronado transaxle. I did work on a mid 80s Revcon front wheel drive that was set up as a command center for law enforcement and it had a 454, Turbo 400 married to a NP205 locked in 4 high.