Topic: School me on fitting a W56 into a first-gen 4X4

[I_is_a_moose]

My DD is an '83 First-Gen, and she's the finest pickup I've ever spun wheels in. A few frustrations aside, The Mule's been a great companion, and one of only two vehicles that I've ever felt perfectly at home behind the wheel of (the second being my project 40).
Anyway, I'm an avid backpacker, I hunt, and I enjoy light wheeling (I'm no crawler). I also commute 300 miles a week, which means alot of time pushing my aging engine to speeds I really don't like (IE driving to Yosemite, or Fordyce, Burney, Etc.) which has led me to begin preparing for a 3RZ swap that I hope to have happen in about 14 months.
Anyway, part of my plan is to swap in a W56, but I've heard that this transmission is too long compared to my L52 (I've measured the difference at about 5 inches IIRC).
For those who have done this swap, how far back from the firewall do your shifters end up?
This is an important question for me, because I spent months combing the North Bay for an almost-new Ferd Ranger split-bench seat for my truck, and I dread having to sacrifice these things for the greater good.

[I_is_a_moose [OP]]

Interior shot of my baby.

Say what you like about Ford, but they don't screw around with their truck seats!

[emsvitil]

The tranny shift levers may actually be at the same spot:

http://www.marlincrawler.com/transmission/rebuilt-complete

Look at the pictures

[I_is_a_moose [OP]]

The tranny shift levers may actually be at the same spot:

http://www.marlincrawler.com/transmission/rebuilt-complete

Look at the pictures

Yeah, I think you're onto something.
Thanks! 

[4x4yota]

It all depends if it is forward shift or top shift
Forward shift it will be the same
top shift will move back almost as much as the extra length of the tranny

[I_is_a_moose [OP]]

It all depends if it is forward shift or top shift
Forward shift it will be the same
top shift will move back almost as much as the extra length of the tranny

That's what I was growing to suspect.
Is there a way to make my RF1A forward shift to accommodate, or just buy the correct t-case?

[86rustbucket]

you could convert it to a forward shift.  But you should be able to find a used forward shift case locally for $75-100.

[Fiercefirstgen559]

I just added those seats to my to do list. Haha

I like em!

[I_is_a_moose [OP]]

you could convert it to a forward shift.  But you should be able to find a used forward shift case locally for $75-100.

Yeah, that sounds like a better idea. I can get a new t-case from Yodaman for a fair price.
Thanks for the tip.

I just added those seats to my to do list. Haha

I like em!

thanks!
Do it!
totally worth it!
I originally had APC racing buckets installed, and they were terrible. My father's Ranger, on the other hand, had these awesome 60/40 seats that offered great back support and had extremely tough cloth construction.
I scored these from a local wreckers in great condition for 200 flat. I was fortunate that Ford made them to bolt onto a level surface, too, and had them installed in an afternoon. The only hitch is the height, I gained about 3" of altitude when they went in. I'm short, so it's not a problem for me, but when my tall friends ride in The Mule, they have to kick the passenger seat forward, the seatback back, but they work, and gave me a stowage spot for my jumpers.

[4x4yota]

Im talking the transmission...
with the transmission being a forward shifter it moves the shift handle forward putting it in the stock location and also same with the t-case, if the tranny has a top shift then the tranny and t-case shifter are moved back and you have to cut holes in the floor to fit

[toyyota]

When I did mine, I went with duals, I had to move the cross member rearward to match the trans mounts. Because of the dual cases I used Bud Built cross member. I wanted things to look as stock as possable. I ended up cutting the stock frame cross member brackets off, and moving right to left, left to right. The inner brackets I fabed from 2inch angle iron. Maybe someone makes the lower cross member you need? The shift levers are as they should be.