I know through my many travels around the net i came across an article and a youtube vid of someone putting a 10 speed tranny from ???? whatever big rig behind a Cummins as well as one behind a 7.3 IDI. I would absolutely love to do this with a 10 or maybe 13 speed in my truck....maybe as well as change my axles to 2 1/2 ton Rockwells. Anyone else heard of doing this or maybe done it themselves? My sincerest apologies if i have posted this in the wrong place...been a member since Sept of 09 but usually have just read but never posted.

 

It was a 9 speed road ranger they used on that one vid behind the cummins IIRC. I've considered it, biggest problem is making it 4wd with that long of a trans and a divorced case behind it. The cummins comes in so many different kinds of equipment its not hard to track down the bellhousing and back plate for it.
Rocks would be cool, but keep in mind most people who use them will not daily drive with them. They are just so heavy, and not designed to go fast. the $$$ also really adds up. Mainly in brakes since they have huge *** drums on them stock, and a single disk on the yoke isn't enough for a freeway driven truck, so you've gotta put disks on all 4 corners.

my $0.02.

 

I see where the length would be a bit of a inconvenience...however with that being said custom drivelines would take care of that....the divorced T-case is something i had not thought. Thanks for that line of thought.
Would you recomend the use of a set of axles from a F450 or maybe 550 donor truck to keep the weight down but still retain strength? I am just brainstorming this idea and welcome any thoughts that i can get from anyone.
I have access to alot of different parts since i have a friend that owns a wrecking yard.

 

I think you're better off spending money on yukon axles and stuff in pickup axles than swapping. the fact is even a build d60 will hold a lot of power.

The driveline thing is just a downside because I don't know how well a front driveline that long will hold up, and they do cost money when you have to start from scratch. I think divorced is really the only way you would get a t case behind a big transmission, like an np205. Otherwise I think it's gonna be a lot of money and weight.
On a sled pull truck I can see a big rig t case and rocks, but for a highway truck I think a regular t case and built danas or a 14 bolt in the back build would work better and cost a lot less.

 

that's gonna be a lot of weight for that 'ol 7.3 IDI to push down the road at we'll say 70, is the stock trans going out? cause i don't see a need for it other than cool factor which would almost be worth it, but I agree with fastcr on the axles, the 14 bolt in back and a Dana 60 would be sufficient up front, the transfer case and driveshafts aren't going to be any fun at all though

 

It's not necessarily the length of them, it's the shear mass of it. Depending on how many speeds and the make of it, they can weigh anywhere from 500-1000lbs+. They are also tall and may require a higher than desirable body lift and/or modified trans tunnel.

 

Ok....My thoughts on the driveline length would be a single carrier bearing much like we already do on crewcab vehicles and on medium and heavy duty vehicles. The E4OD in my truck is already giving me hell and i know that since the truck will be down for an extended period of time i may as well do to it what i have always wanted to in the first place.
So with that being said i know that i am looking for one hell of alot of custom fabrication on the floor pans, tranny tunnel, mounts and such but i figure since i am disabled i have plenty of time to work out the details and make this a reality rather than just a dream.
I dont want to get rid of my 7.3 IDI i absolutely love that engine....not saying that the cummins is not a great engine but everyone thats doing swaps always go to the cummins...i....want something different.

 

Time, Money, or Talent...more of one equals less of the other two, and with enough of it, anything fits anywhere.


"I'm Larry Potterfield with Midway USA--and that's the way it is..."

 

im building a GMC 3500hd with a dt466 and a 10 speed. i am building full custum, kingpin, 4" tube, open knuckle dana 70HD, chrome moly axles, for the front and it has a dana 80 in the rear, this axle combo will definately hold the weight and power. as for the transmission i would look for an RTO or RTOO which are very rare, but can be built from a normal RTO. look for a rto6609 they have the smallest case of the fuller 9 speeds.
good luck!

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also for the t-case im going to run a rockwell unit out of a 60's kaiser 6X6, if you want pics or measuremnet of it let me know, they are cheap and parts are relatively cheap but they are 2x the size of an np205 and 400-500 pounds

 

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and the info. I look forward to learning more from everyone and i will post pics and a rundown of everything i do when i get started on my build.
I am truly stepping into a world of the unknown from my side when it comes to this but its something i have been thinking about doing for a very long time and besides the cool factor of having a 10 speed tranny in my truck is ...well...Awesome!
Thanks to Big Murf for the offer of pics and measurements on the T-case i will be taking you up on that offer when i get to that point. Also thank you for the advice on the RTO6609. affter looking it up i fully believe that is the direction i will go.