I have an 82' tranny on my 83, and I'm not sure what the t-case is.
You've got a top-shifting set up.
Here are the top shifting years:
1979-1983 ALL
1985-1988 4CYL, EFI, NORMALLY ASPIRATED
And here are the forward shifting years:
1984-1987 ALL CARB 4CYL
1986-1987 TURBO EFI
1989-1995 ALL 4CYL
So your right, if you get one from a 79-83, then its a topshifting t/case, and its what you would need!
Now this only applies to what ever is connected to your transmission. Of course in ANY dual case application, 1979-2003+, ANY transfercase that is going behind a dual case adapter must be top shifting. This applies to the rear most t/case in a dual case setup, the 2nd crawl box and the rear most t/case in a tripple, the 2nd and 3rd crawl box and the rear most t/case in a quad.. you get it - we are only concerned about what to put BEHIND what TRANSMISSION. Anything going behind an adapter plate must be top shift.
Regards,
BigMike