Topic: T-Case Shift Fork Question

[StudYot94]

A little background info... I bought an '84 Ext. Cab about a year ago. Almost immediately I toasted the stock G52 Trans which had a foreward t-case behind it. I swapped in a W56 with a topshift and with a little floorboard mods has been working great. Recently a guy gave me a '83 Topshift he had sitting around that had gotten water in it and rusted the bearings. I just ordered a 4.7 gear set to put in the t-case and my question is this... Can I disassemble the '83 Topshift case and steal the necessary shift forks, etc. to convert my old foreward '84 t-case to a topshift and install the 4.7's in it? This way I will have my current topshift to use for duals in the future. In a nutshell... IS IT POSSIBLE TO CONVERT AN '84 FOREWARD SHIFT T-CASE TO TOPSHIFT USING '83 TOPSHIFT PARTS? Thanks in advance for the advice/help! 

[BigMike]

Yup, all you have to do is exchange the two shift forks and the two low range forks.

The forward shifting t/case will only have one fork in the low range area while the top shift will have two, 1 shift fork and 1 shift slider "head" as we call it. You will  need to put both of those top shifting components into your forward shift t/case to convert it.

Don't worry about the fork in the 3rd/4th housing 4WD area, the 4WD shift forks are all interchangeable.

BigMike

[StudYot94 [OP]]

I think I am understanding this... I found the box of stuff I saved from when I tore the case down to salvage any parts still in decent condition. I pulled out a seperate bag that I had made just for a possible future conversion of foreward to topshift. In there I found the following which I think is everything...

1. Short Shift Rail with three detents
2. Longer Shift Rail with two detents
3. Fork with "head"
4. Fork without "head"
5. A Shift Slider "head"
6. E-clip
7. Three roll pins

I think this is everything you mentioned with exception to the E-Clip. Where does the E-Clip go? And to make certain I have this right, you said I don't need to use the fork without the "head" on it right? Thanks for the info, it is greatly appreciated as always, and maybe next time when I tear into something for parts I will label everything and keep some kind of record of where/what everything goes/is. Keep up the good work over there at MC and I can't wait to get the 4.7's whenever they are off backorder!! 

[BigMike]

Hey StudYot94-

Thanks for the clear info in your post. Yes, the fork without the head will not be needed in a top shifting setup, and the e-clip is only used with the top shifting rods, I believe the passengers side, but I am not sure. You will see a grove on one of the shift forks that is just before the rod goes into the 2nd adapter housing where the interlock pin is held at.. shouldn't be to hard to see where it goes. The clip prevents the shift rod from going back to far and contacting the shift fork with the low speed gear.

BigMike

[StudYot94 [OP]]

Thanks! Now that I know I have everything to do it I am gonna go turn the parts washer on and prepare for the 4.7's!! Its like a kid at Christmas time. Thanks again Mike, u da man! 

[Fireimp141]

I want 4.7's wah wah!