Transfer Case Dillemma

[srgould41]

I am working with some options and am not sure what to do.

I am thinking of buying an '82 FJ60 I found for parts. I want to put the axles under my '71 FJ40 (at least the front). I have also been toying (no pun intended) with the idea of building a centered hybrid rear axle as I lined up a '71ish rear axle housing and a complete '87 rear from a 4wd p/u (4 cyl).

I plan to install a SBC mated to a 700R4. I had planned to use a Dana 300 Tcase, hence the hybrid rear idea.

However, after talking with friends in my club I am thinking this through again. Some guys were suggesting adapting the 700R4 to the 3 speed case I have. Or going with a newer split case if I don't mind losing the e-brake.

So in comes the 1982 FJ60... It has a good t-case (where is the e-brake?). Would it be as easy to adapt that FJ60 tcase to the 700R4? It is a 19? spline versus my current 10 spline, but is it worth it?

I suspect a Dana 300 would be cheaper, but not having to build a hybrid axle is appealing too.

Thoughts and suggestions?

thanks,

Steve

 

[lcwizard]

Hands down, the split case is much stronger than the 40 case. The adapter is long and more expensive
so figure pushing the axle back a bit.
The dana, though stronger than the 40 case is not as strong as the split case. An advantage to the dana........ a 4:1 gearset available, where the split case has only a 3:1 available. The orion HD is a strong option and is 4:1. Figuring all costs in ( adapters ,driveshafts, axles, custom alterations, etc )
the orion may play out to be the best choice.