I am looking for some insight from all of you experts out there....

Current rig in a nutshell:
crate 350 sbc (no big power) mated to SM420 mated to 3 speed case via steel plate adapter (sucks) supported at the rear by the rear cross member bolted to rear tcase inspection cover (super sucks)
....SU, 35 inch tires, I wheel hard core maybe 4 times a year only. Sorry, it is the best I can do here in Ohio.

I run land cruiser axles and would like to stay with them....ARB, 488, warn full floater in rear.

My current issues........
1. tcase to adapater or adapter to tcase leaks habitually
2. tcase drive gear does not align properly due to sh*t adapter
3. I do not trust the 3 speed case
4. I do not like the rear "iron cross", enough said on that topic.

MY PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT:

1. Install an AA "spud shaft" aluminum adapter to a 1985 and later split style transfer case.
2. Support the assembly by a FJ60 rear mount (bolted to AA adapter) mounted to a 2" x 5" tube crossmember (what i have).

OTHER QUESTIONABLE MODIFICATIONS REQUIRED

1. drive train length should be good. My 350 makes up for that.
2. tcase linkage should be easily modified to my twin stick
3. FJ60 rear mount should be strong and flexible. I do not know this for sure though?????It seems like this would be a good support system, allowing for torsional flex.
4. drive shaft flanges are different I think (bolt spacing?)
5. gearing is essentially a wash and I could go lower gearing if I feel like wasting money.
6. The split case is plenty strong....I hear
:rolleyes:

Greenbacks

I think I can do this for about 1200.00 dollars and then could sell (3) 3 speed cases and an adapter to recover some of this cost.

The TWO main items I am looking to resolve are tcase strenght and a good support for the rear drivetrain.

Is this a waste of money and effort? :confused:

What kind of an adapter do you have??? Seems to me thats the only real problem you have. It hard to see what your talking about with out seeing..... The alignment of the gears and the leaking would be a major concern....
Do you have a xfercase saver installed, that would help with the strength issues.
The rear adapter that bolts to the xfer case sounds like the advanced adapters mount. I've seen it used in many cruzahs with no problems...
If were me I would keep what you have but fix the adapter issue..
I went with a 350-465-205 for strength. Never had any issues with breakage.........yet!

Sounds like a decent plan to me. I think the 60 series tranny support would be an improvement over the support on the t-case. The split case is resonably stronger than the 3-speed case, not bullet proof, but signifigantly better. The driveshaft flange issue is easy to resolve. What it all comes down to is that it's your rig, do what you think is gonna work for your needs.:)

I did not know AA had a 420 to split t-case adapter:confused:

I think it is a cool idea. Get it!

Yeah, do the split case. It's a lot stronger and has aftermarket gears. You could also go with a Dana 18 t-case. It is all iron, double offset to the passenger outputs (just like the Cruiser case), and you can get some crazy-low gears for it (4.7:1). I think the SM420-D18 adapter is cheaper than the SM420-split case adapter, and you could definately pick up a few D18s for the price of one LC split-case. If you go with the LC split case, you might want to look for a later year version with the 38mm idler because they are touted to be very strong. I think they came out in mid '85, or was it '86?

The dates I've heard for the 38mm idler shaft split cases are 10/85 non-usa and 4/86 usa.

Cheapest by far is to get a spaceghost (Mike Smythe?) adpater for your current setup. I think they are around $150. Get Don's tcase saver for $40 or something close. Then just run it. A lot of people run the sm420 to 3spd case. For your needs it probably is a good fit.

I know Mike and am considering his adapter if I stay with his setup. He designed it right.

However, I saw 3 cases crack this summer and am concerned about the 3 speed case. I run top bracket for reinforcement (I do not know who's it is). Maybe I am over reacting, I run mud terrains and typically am light on the pedal so the 3 speed case is probably fine for me.

Thanks for the input

Kman ;)