goofy thought - throwing in a transfer case
 

So, as the title says, I had a goofy thought today of throwing in a modified transfer case after the tranny. The reason for this is that you can have it in high range and get the equivalent of ~2.5 gearing for highway cruising and mpg, then drop it into low range for ~4.5 gears for beast-mode acceleration and power. Any thoughts, or have I simply gone mad?

Re: goofy thought - throwing in a transfer case
 

That sounds like it wouldn't work like you'd hope....

Re: goofy thought - throwing in a transfer case
 

Do elaborate. Yeah, you'd probably have to stop to change ratios, fitting it would be a pain in the butt, and it would suck some power, but there's no value in nay-saying unless you explain your reasoning. :)

Re: goofy thought - throwing in a transfer case
 

Well, my thinking is that Transfer Cases (as the name states) transfer power between 'two' axles, and you only having the one would inadvertantly be losing power to your non-existant front axle. At least, that's what I think would happen. (my last car was an older Jeep, so I'm not totally unexperienced with tc's).

Does that make sense? you'd have to somehow eliminate that. Which, I guess the right gearing might do...idk.

Re: goofy thought - throwing in a transfer case
 

Well, that depends on if the transfer case is locked (real 4x4 transfer case), or open (AWD system).

You could think of it as a locked differential turned sideways. If there's no load on one side, you're not really losing any power - it's just going to the loaded side.

Re: goofy thought - throwing in a transfer case
 

Get a transfer case of your choice out of a old jeep, K5 Blazer, whatever. Grab a freakin Sawzall and cut the rear floor pans/hump and any other thing that seems like it would get in the way and bolt the @#$%^ up!

Hack away.........! Keep us up on your progress.

No really, Just get you a good LS engine with 6 speed and have exactly what you're looking for. Probably a lot nicer too.

Re: goofy thought - throwing in a transfer case
 

It would definitely be an LS of some sort if I decide to do it. Although I have to wonder if a really tall 6th gear would do the same thing. Basically, I'm trying to maximize fuel economy and acceleration at the same time.

Re: goofy thought - throwing in a transfer case
 

You're right, the idea is absolutely goofy. Assuming you can squeeze the TC in your car, low range on the road is totally useless. Have you ever driven a 4WD in low range? My Jeep will wind out and fly through gears, max out at 35 or so and the RPMs will be at dangerous levels. With NO gain in acceleration mind you, you lose it. Your five foot times may be better but that's it.

Re: goofy thought - throwing in a transfer case
 

My 2000 WS6 Ram Air 6 Speed came across the country from California to Alabama at 80 mph, 1800rpm, and got 28 mpg. And I can smoke the tires in 1,2, AND 3 with Traction Control OFF. So, I don't think you need a transfer case, I'm very happy!:nod:

Re: goofy thought - throwing in a transfer case
 

I've driven plenty of 4x4 vehicles and yes, ratios would definitely have to be changed. No point throwing in a 25:1 ratio in there unless you're going low and slow.

Re: goofy thought - throwing in a transfer case
 

Ok, I see. Could your same purpose maybe be accomplished with a 2-speed rear end instead? Don't know if it would be any simpler...but it's a thought lol.

Re: goofy thought - throwing in a transfer case
 

Basically that's the idea. I don't know that they make them anymore though. Perhaps just a good 6-speed would be close enough and much less work.

Re: goofy thought - throwing in a transfer case
 

That's just it.

Trucks that are used to warrant a crawl ratio need low range. Those that may haul a load or run empty need a 2 speed rear. But when a 3500lb car needs tire spin and drivability along with hwy. economy, modern overdrives have that covered.

The TCI (and others) 6 speed based on the 4L80e overdrives a wide ratio TH400 gearset (for the most part) to give o.d. sequentially and nice ratios.

The Tremec wide ratio Magnum gives a very broad yet near ideal gearset.

At some point, the novelty of mega 1st gear would wear thin and you'd forget about using low much at all.

Depending on the powerband, you should try and copy a factory setup and improve on it slightly. A TPI small block should get 3.42 to 3.55 gears. Or a 93 T56 should get modded 5th / 6th for more overdrive. An engine has to be vastly modifies to warrant a huge change in ratios.

Re: goofy thought - throwing in a transfer case
 

Get a overdrive unit and gear the rear down to 4:11 or so,best of both worlds.

Re: goofy thought - throwing in a transfer case
 

Like what nhgator says, it's already been done:

https://www.gearvendors.com/index.html

And they can help you do it a lot easier than trying to make a t-case work.

Re: goofy thought - throwing in a transfer case
 

Sorry, but I felt compelled to rez this thread to make an argument in favor of the idea. Everyone seems focused on the locked type transfer cases. Why not use one of those open types (ala AMC Eagle) and a front diff to make an AWD Camaro?
Search Utube for Ken Block's Hooligan '65 Mustang for inspiration. Can't us Bowtie boys do something similar? That 800+ hp 'Stang's crazy awesome... just sayin'

Re: goofy thought - throwing in a transfer case
 

Go to the end of this one and check out the Chevelle.
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171037

Re: goofy thought - throwing in a transfer case
 

This is exactly what a GearVendors is for, but they're not cheap. Still, easier and better geared than any TC.
With a 4x4 truck, installing a divorced-mount NP205 from a Ford is a valid option for a 0.54:1-ish OD, but the GV is a more practical 0.78:1, that shifts on the fly, even with 1000 HP. In the '70s, there was a Hone-O-Drive, typically 0.70:1.
The GV has been done in a 4th gen, if you can google that, installation in a 3rd gen would be the exact same.

Re: goofy thought - throwing in a transfer case
 

Now checking that link, '71 chevelle is a full steel framed car. So it would be allot easier to work with.

As for an awd/2-4wd unibody car....That would propose a few issues..feasible but not gonna be easy. It would be a matter of finding the right combination of parts, or mongrolizing your car.

I would look at fwd cars and see how they adapted the drive train. This could give some ideas.
I know from experience working with '80-'90's dodge 4 bangers....They have one things slightly in common, similiarly they used mcpherson struts. However their motors are literally suspened in the air, and their front end has NO left/right supports.

Two things I remember...one When I owned an s10, I had researched a transfer case that allowed fwd/rwd/4wd and any variance thereof. Now keeping this in mind...

If you could modify the type of transmission used on the older Dodge Intrepids (AKA the Camaro Killers.), which was a FWD logintudinal mounted engine, not transverse:
By adapting the actual pumpkin inside the transaxle to accept or act like a tranfercase, then adapting the trans to our belhousing...You then would or could have a fwd/rwd/4wd 3rd gen.
Considering they are designed VERY much like a transfer case to begin with....Think of the possibilities.

http://www.dodgeintrepid.net/showthread.php?t=48693

http://www.dodgeintrepid.net/showthread.php?t=178012

http://www.carid.com/1994-dodge-intr...mission-parts/