Posted by Charlie on February 12, 2000 at 16:25:49:
In Reply to: Re: 5 speed info posted by gary on February 12, 2000 at 10:21:11:
I apologize, I thought I had the phone # written down in the back of one of my 4X4 magazines but i can't find it. It was in the San Diego area. However, I'd suggest buying issues of 4Wheeler, Petersen's 4X4, and 4WD&SU Mag. Look in the small ads in the back, there are probably a dozen custom driveline places that advertise, and probably more that do this sort of custome work.
The stock driveline in a Power Wagon is about 13" center of u-joint to u-joint. The distance in an M37 might be ~2" shorter because it uses flanges but that distance can be recovered by switching to yokes, about 1.75" by switching on both ends. Don't use PW yokes, use Spicer yokes. They make them for the splines of the trans and TC. First find out what u-joint the driveline will use, then fit the yokes, then measure for the driveline fabricator. He indicated by splining the yoke itself a ~5" center to center driveline could be used. The motion is of course minimal, I'd guess <=1/4". You need about 2" of spline for good engagement but the driveline guys know that. This guy uses 1310s but I'd try for stronger 1350 Spicers. The extra 8" added to the 9.75" of the stock transmission would allow a 17.75" transmission. An 18" NV4500 with an 0.875" adapter would still be therefore 1.125" too long. If they can make a 3.875" driveline, not impossible with minimal motion requirements (although you need compression, about 1/2" at least, to fit it in) then a 4500 with a HD Dodge input side and a 2WD GM output would work. It's a nice smooth strong HD 5spd with all synchro and dual PTOs. The Spicer 3053A seems like a go. Cheap, HD, synchro in top 4, slightly shorter 5th gear ratios (0.79 or 0.85 vs. 0.73).
Charlie