NV4500 swap drive line height difference question

[blueblaze]

So yesterday I was doing a u joint change on my M1008's rear shaft. And when I pulled the shaft out, the t case puked out its atf fluid a bit. And It got me thinking that when the truck had the TH400 setup it didn't do that to this extent.

When I did my NV4500 swap I used the double hump cross member. The original TH400 setup as we all know uses the flat cross member with the tall style adapter. Considering the frame is taller on the 1 ton trucks I wonder if using the double hump cross member with the shorter NV4500 adapter housing is dropping the drive line down further then it should be? That I instead should use some tubing and build it up like some guys do with the flat style cross member and get it back to its stock drive line location? Not to mention gain a lot of ground clearance back as well.

Or am I missing something in this equation?


I did some searching about it and couldn't find this exact conversation being had besides the usual cross member selection.

 

[The FLU farm]

I would let the rear U-joints dictate the vertical position of the transfer case. When both U-joints are at the same angle, or very close to it, they're happy.
Whether you raise the transfer case or turn the pinion up doesn't really matter as far as the U-joints are concerned, but I'd raise the transfer case.

 

[blueblaze]

I was more concerned with the transfercase and transmission not getting proper lubrication since the trans and tcase are now hanging roughly 4 inches or so lower then it was intended from the factory. The drain plugs are both rear mounted so both the trans and tcase are under filled.

 

[The FLU farm]

The drain plugs are both rear mounted so both the trans and tcase are under filled.

That would be easy enough to work around, I think. Park on a down slope, or lift the rear end. With the drive train sitting at the correct angle, fill the trans and 'case to the proper level.

 

[blueblaze]

Yeah, I suppose that would remedy that issue for the most part. Although the ground clearance loss between the 2 cross members is very substantial so I think I'll go ahead and probably go back to the flat style with some mods this winter. Thanks for the insight.