[santak]

how does it work? I was just reading over the Tuff Country install by Outlaw and saw those brackets and uhm, I'm confused:
I thought the t-case was sitting on a connection with the tranny, so if you just drop the t-case by an inch then how does the power get transmitted from the engine to the t-case without breaking anything?

 

[CLRracer]

u dont really "drop" the tcase, u rotate it so that the front output is lower, at least that how i was told. i have also heard of the tranny mount being replaced with a smaller one, thus lowering the whole assembly some.

Duane

 

[MoparMurdoc]

The engine, trans, and t-case remain bolted together just like normal. When you "drop the t-case" it also drops the back of the trans too. Really it just tilts the engine/trans/t-case as one unit, which is ok because the engine and trans have rubber mounts that can stretch a little. Know that I mean?

 

[RAMMAN4]

The t case and tranny and motor are all mated together. When you drop the t case say 1 inch all it does is pivot the rear output of the t case downward while pivoting the front output of the t case upward. The rubber motor mounts and the rubber tranny mounts allow for the drivetrain being stressed like this.

 

[RAMMAN4]

u dont really "drop" the tcase, u rotate it so that the front output is lower.

Duane

I think you are talking about clocking the t case Duane.

 

[MoparMurdoc]

haha, we all said the same thing without knowing the other were posting. Good times.

 

[CLRracer]

u dont really "drop" the tcase, u rotate it so that the front output is lower.

Duane

I think you are talking about clocking the t case Duane.

yeah, i thought about it and edited my post about the time we all replied. its been a LOOOOOOOOOONG weekend. ill be aight about wednesday or so.

Duane

 

[santak]

Ahhhh, that was the question yes....so the engine and tranny bushing allow for that and everything is fine, 'cept now the driveline angles are reduced.

Duane, look at the how to section, that is not rotating the t-case it's dropping the whole thing with spacers between the frame and crossmember. However, I heard about the clocking too, but that seems just to cure front driveline angles I guess.

 

[RAMMAN4]

Yup. When you drop the t case it points the front t case output upwards and puts the CV joints in more of a bind. You can clock the t case further down to reduce the angle, but then you reduce your clearance under the truck.

 

[santak]

well, I'm planning only on a 5" max 6" lift anyways, so I'm sure I don't need to do much to get the angles right again. It was just something that I was wondering in general how a t-case drop works or why it actually works.

Thanks guys.

 

[RAMMAN4]

It's not hard to do a t case drop, just don't over do it and drop it too far. Get yourself an angle finder. I got mine from sears a few years ago. What I do is drop the rear driveshaft and get measurements from the yokes to what the driveshaft angles are. Measure the top of the t case output and the bottom of the diff yoke or visa versa. Opposite angles should be equal. Once that has been determined I have to figure out how much to drop the t case to meet up with the rearend that has already been tilted up. If the rear is 15 degrees and the t case is 4 degrees that means that there is 11 degrees of difference and the t case needs to come down to within 3 to 4 degrees. I take a floor jack and put it under the tranny crossmember and undo all the crossmember bolts. I put some longer ones in with the nuts on as a safety precaution. Once that is done I slowly lower the t case down while measuring the pinion angle til it's just where I want it. Once that is done I measure the gap between the frame and the tranny crossmember. That is the thickness of the plate you need. Just cut it and drill the 3 holes to match and put it back together and you are all done.

 

[timdog]

I've also heard of people stacking washers to fill the space...don't know if it makes a big difference...but while it corrects the angles int he rear, doesn't it mess up the front angles since it point the front upward.
Tim

 

[Sam Simpson]

yes, it can mess up the front angle if you go to much.

I have a 6" lift and didn't drop the tcase/tranny. The only time I have dropped the tcase/tranny was when I had 10" of suspension lift. Although when I dropped it (about 2") I had also lowered the motor about 1" as well.

 

[MoparMurdoc]

On my truck I've got 3" body lift and I'm not going to do much suspension lift, so I've accually been considering raising the t-case to get it out of the way. Besides the axles, its the lowest point on my truck. It would make a harsher angle and I'm not sure if a stock driveshaft would work, but it seems like a cool idea.

 

[RAMMAN4]

With a stock suspension I think it would. You just need to find a clocking ring for the t case and play with it til you get it where you like it.

 

[TheRamChargerMan]

I used washers to drop mine....about 8 yrs ago...still ain't got rid of the washers.

Another thing I was able to do by dropping the tcase...I was able to remove the shims under the front springs and still not have my front d/s bind. Makes steering much better........much !!!