ProTouring Motorhome? Transfer case FWD conversion question...

[ProTouring442]

I once saw a motorcycle hauler based on a GM truck where the bed was very low. Apparently, they converted the transfer case to run in FWD only.


I would like to do this on a motorhome build (Clark Cortez) I am considering.


Any thoughts on how? What case to use?


I know, I'm a lunatic. :shock:




Thanks!

[Larry Callahan]

Interesting.

Is this the truck?

[ProTouring442]

Interesting.

Is this the truck?

No, the one I saw was a GM full size with a rollback looking bed, but quite low to the ground.

[carkrazy1987]

like this?

[ProTouring442]

like this?

Yup!

[SkinnyG]

I've seen the pickups done with an Eldorado/Toronado drivetrain up front.

There -are- (older) FWD motorhomes you could start with....

[carkrazy1987]

the gmc motorhome from the 70s used the olds drive train fwd setup

[Vimes]

It's doable if you want to use the existing transfer case, but it will require some modification. The transfer case as-is depends upon the rear yoke to keep the rear sealed. You can get a slip yoke elimination kit from the NP241, which eliminates that problem. As the yoke would be unnecessary, I would devise a cap to go over the output shaft instead to keep dirt out. If you don't have an NP241, look up "slip yoke eliminator <your case here>" to find the correct kit.

The second problem is a 4x4's differential is designed to be driven on dirt, not asphalt. The way around that would be to have CV joints made up for the truck as CV joints would allow the outside wheel to go around corners faster than the engine is driving the inside wheel. G-Force Performance makes high performance CV axles, and if a CV axle can handle 1000HP launches, it can handle heavy towing.

[Motorcitydak]

I love crazy builds! Honestly it wouldn’t be too hard at all to do depending on what you started with. I’d recommend something with independent front suspension as then you’d be all set for the front end. As mentioned then you’d just need a slip yoke eliminator kit for your transfer case. They are pretty common as nearly everyone in the off road world runs then. Then of course just no rear driveshaft. I’d just leave the rear output yoke on and not worry about any other cover on that end. With that done, you are free to do whatever you’d like to the back end.

For vehicles, if you are wanting something GM I know the 2500 trucks in the 90s and newer had IFS. Dodge and Ford have never done a IFS 4wd heavy duty truck. For half ton, you could pick whatever you’d like.