I've got a 54' CJ3B with 262 SBC/TH350/D18. Drivetrain was installed by previous owner in 1977. I haven't used it much off-road since buying it in 1983, but plan to in next couple years. Engine is getting tired, leaking valve guides and other stuff. I'm swapping out the engine for an oddball motor, 84' Olds 4.3 V6 diesel, 00' camaro 4L60E with shortened/resplined 4x4 output shaft and D18 TC. I want to stay with D18 because it's got a Warn OD and axles are 5.38. Going to reuse my AA steel TH350 adapter and a homemade alum clocking plate with 4L60E. I've been using JB conversions pictures to figure out most of the clearance problems.
http://www.jbconversions.com/pages/products/adapters/1007.html

Question is: Do Dana 18 and Dana 300 transfer cases have the same trans output shaft (or bull gear) to front (or rear on D18) TC output shaft distance? I'm talking about the centerline distance b/w TC input and output shafts. Is this called TC offset or what? I searched all over google, but no luck. For that matter, what are about 203/205/Atlas or other transfer cases?

sweet first post!

while I dont have the answer - a golf clap is in order...

:smokin:

Are you referring to the T-case input centerline to the front output centerline?

If you are asking about the rear, the D300, Atlas, 203, 205, all have a rear output in line with the input. The Dana 18, as you know has an offset rear output. What rear axle are you going to run? If you are sticking with stock, you may run into driveline issues since the axle is offset.

try advanced adapters might help

Thanks. I think this distance or measurement is more difficult to describe than it should be. Of course, just about every TC in the world other than a D18, rear output is in c/l with input. I probably over complicated the 1st post question by mentioning TC rear output. I'll try a something simpler.

I'm looking for the measurement b/w crankshaft (= trans input shaft = trans output shaft, same c/l right!) and front driveline ( = TC front output yoke = TC front output shaft, same c/l) for Dana 300?

I measured my Dana 18, approx. 8.5". The 300 looks nearly identical. I'd like to clock my D18 up to horizontal as the photo below shows. The 4L60E output c/l (trans casting seam shown below) to edge of pan rail is 7.5". TH350 is 7.5, but TH350 has convenient notch in rear pass-side pan corner for TC front yoke.

http://www.jbconversions.com/images/products/adapters/1007/driveshaft1.jpg

I'm hoping the D18 and D300 have the same front output distance, that way my 1.25" dia. driveline will clear the 4L60E pan rail like this pic shows. My AA TH350 adapter is 2.375" long, newly fabbed clocking ring is 0.50" for total adapter length of 2.875". On 98'+ 4L60E, this puts the D18 front output yoke and shifter housing at or forward the 4L60E rear (6 bolt, no older 700r4) mounting face. If I clock TC to horizontal, I think the D18 front section, yoke and housing will clear the 4L60E pan rail. I will probably have to replace the D18 front yoke with a CV flange and scrounge up a small FWD car CV joint to clear the 4L60E rail.

My current trans setup is TH350 + adapter is 21.75 + 2.375". 4L60E is 21.9 + 2.375 +0.50". With chevy SB, rear driveline length is 10.5". Pretty lame. Olds diesel is 23" from front crank balancer to rear block, chevy is 27". Plus the diesel's frontend is more compact, originally from a FWD car. The belts run on grooved harmonic balancer. So, I think I'll be able to move the current rear engine block surface forward about 4-5" by replacing the Chevy SB with Olds V6. Gaining maybe 5" of rear driveline length.

I did call AA about stub shaft spline overlap. I already knew the answer, rule of thumb, overlap = 1.5 x shaft dia. Asked about stub shaft support bearing, none and steel versus alum material, about the same.

Found an old pic of my junk, figured this might spur a pirate TC brain to spill some Dana 300/18 lore.

http://www.mountainservice.com/public/auto/willys/photo/IMG_0111.JPG

Novak adapter's site (http://novak-adapt.com/knowledge/transfer_case_gears_grid.htm) might have some answers. Good luck

I measure around 8 3/4 from front output center to input center

Thanks jdubb1. This morning the suspense was willing me, so I burned some cell phone time and called a few of the industry heavies that you guys mentioned.

Dana 300 input/output shaft centerline distance?
1. AA said 1+ inch wider centerlines b/w shafts than Dana 18. Didn't actually give a solid number. Also said Atlas 1"+ than D300.
2. Novak said "larger or wider", no exact figure.
3. JB measured for me, 8.5"
4. Staks, no answer. Called these guys cause their working on a D300 flip case. There website drawing shows 10" for their 2-3 spd TC.

Only other source was http://www.jeepland.net/tcase.shtml which lists external dimensions and ratios.

I would guess it would be a little wider than th D18

jdubb1,

Thanks for taking the time to think thru this. I found the answer, Herm the Overdrive Guy. D18, D20 and D300 are exactly the same offset, or whatever it's called. I measured 8.5" for D18, JB conversions measured 8.5" for D300. So, I think I'm good to go, Oldsmobile V6 Diesel 262 4.3L/4L60E/D18. Going to clock the D18 to horizontal to clear the 4L60E and respline reluctor area of 4L60E output shaft for Th350/TH700R4 27 spline output. Should produce a very short auto trans/dana 18 setup, however driveline angles will be kinda steep. No more difficult than Dana 20 in 80in wheelbase Willys.

BTW: figured I'd brag abit. I'm hauling my Porsche 914/355ci chevy from Seattle to Phoenix with a 98' Ford E350 4x4 Powerstroke van. I'm sitting in Flying J truckstop connected to internet via pathetic 14.4 Verizon wireless cell phone connection and sucking down Steel Reserve 211's with no nagging my wife. OK, this is lame. Thanks again for the help.

Mtnguide,
You just answered my question about a previous post. I also ended up confirming the distance last night as best I could with a tape measure and the distance from the tranny input to the front output (center line to center line) apears to be about 8.5"-9". I had some crap in the way so its not an exact number.
Make sure your yoke on your front dif is as far to the right as possible. I have read that going full width front moves the yoke far enough over that you can run a 2" front shaft.