LCAM-01XA
Full Access Member
Build a mount into the adapter you're working on now. Modify the transmission crossmember so that it can accomodate that mount. Or add another factory crossmember behind the t-case so the DNE adapter mount gets its own crossmember. Should be cheap and effective with minimal amount of fab work. And still allow for plenty of frame flex as needed.I had thought about this - even with the DNE flush on the rear of the t-case it adds a fair bit of weight out there. I was planning on putting in some sort of support to take that load off the trans - probably some sort of spring suspension that will support the weight of the DNE but still allow frame flex. I am also not sure how well the rear of the t-case would handle the load since it's soft material and likely not design for too much load.
The 203-1356 doubler is just as easy as the standard issue 203-205 doubler. As long as the rear plate for the 203 range box is made to accept a Ford 205 it will accept any fullsize t-case, 1356 is no exception. Tho if you really wanted some beef you may wanna look into a 203-271 doubler - the 271 is rated at like 40% more torque flow than the 205. And as long as the 271 came out of a 4R100-equipped truck, it will spline right into where the 205 would go.No shortage of gears there... Not sure how hard the 203-1356 setup would be though. I had thought at one point about using the gear reduction out of a 1345/56 to make a doubler in front of a 1345/56 case. Actually seems like it wouldn't be too hard since we now know that the input/output of the 1356 matches, though you'd likely want to shorten the shaft some or else just have a long ugly case thing.
Regarding the 1345/56 planetaries used as a range box in a doubler setup, it's been done. Behemoth Strongbox is just that, an aluminum housing that allows you to use the planetary section guts out of whatever t-case you want (you specify that when you order it). Cost is less that what the typical 203-205 adapter plate costs, and the whole thing is way lighter and easier to package. Downside appears to be the long lead time, from what I remember reading about it it's just a one-man operation and it's not his primary occupation either. That's the clean way of going about it. The dirty way is doing what you're doing, except for chopping the chain and front output section of the case off - ultimately you end up with a whole lot of wasted space cause of where the chain drive used to be is now empty inside, and it doesn't work very well with 1356s when you forget to warn the welder guy they're not aluminum but magnesium . I'll be getting my hands on a possibly damaged 1345 soon I think, that's all aluminum and so it should TIG just fine. That's my intended use for it, gut and turn into a range box