Divorced T-case?

[VBredneck]

I was watching an episode of Extreme 4x4 a while back and they mentioned something about a divorced transfer case but they didn't really go into too much of an explanation.

I read someplace you could set up a divorced t-case with a 2wd transmission. Is that right? I mean, I'd have to swap out my I-beams for a solid axle, I guess but, theoretically would it work?

97 Mazda B4000
4.0L
Manual tranny (don't know the # or anything)

 

[krugford]

A divorced transfer case is simply one that is not rigidly mounted to the output of the transmission. Instead they are connected throught a short driveshaft which means you can use a 2WD tranny with a divorced transfer case.

I don't see why it couldn't be made to work if you really wanted it to, but it would probably be easier to find a 4x4 tranny and transfer case if you're going to go to all the trouble of a SAS. There might also be some space constraints to think about with a divorced transfer case too.

 

[projectnitemare]

Yes it would work out for you. That's how it was done back in the 60s with a few different trucks. Those cases are getting harder to find, I knew where a Dana 24 and a divorced 205 were but both trucks got scrapped before I could buy the t-cases.

Matt

 

[Bent Bolt]

IIRC , very early 80's Nissan trucks and Suzuki's had divorced t-cases.


Just throwing it out there.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

you can do it...but there is no real advantage to it. and you might run into problems with the rear driveline being too short.

 

[hitech_hick]

you can do it...but there is no real advantage to it. and you might run into problems with the rear driveline being too short.

On a B4000, I kinda doubt it, my cab plus has a ridiculously long drive shaft, dare I say as long as a full sized pickup's. I could definitely see the benefit of doing this if you didn't want to mess with doing a tranny swap.


hick

 

[VBredneck]

Alright. Thanks, guys. I got a couple more:

A divorced t-case setup will ultimately end up with three shafts, right? From front to back there'd be one going from the front axle to the case, one going from the case to the tranny, and one going from the tranny to the rear axle? Does that mean that, provided I've got enough space, I could potentially setup any divorced t-case to work with my tranny and axles?

Also, and maybe I should post this part someplace else but, couldn't I swap my 2WD I-beams for 4WD Traction Beams in an effort to keep relatively the same suspension setup. I know a solid axle is stronger and all that but I wouldn't end the day with as many headaches, right?

 

[projectnitemare]

Yes you will end up with three shafts. You want to create the shortest shaft possible to the t-case, there are a few guys on pirate that have that down to a science. Their shafts are a little longer than a soda can including the slip yoke. You want to build a crossmember to hold the t-case. As far as just swapping in a TTB, it's not that easy. You will have to change the engine crossmember to do that, so a SAS would be less work. Yes as long as you use the corresponding axle to the drop of the t-case any would work just fine. The only Ford divorced t-cases will be the NP205 and the Dana 24. Ironically people complain about 205s crap low range; it has the better of these two cases 1.96:1 compaired to 1.86:1.

Matt

 

[Bent Bolt]

Just a thought, is the Atlas transfer case available in a divorced configuration ??

 

[hitech_hick]

Just a thought, is the Atlas transfer case available in a divorced configuration ??

Didn't find anything on their website, but that is not to say that it hasn't or couldn't be done...



hick