Attention: TDR Forum Junkies Happy is when you finally get your truck to John's shop for the standard conversion!
After months of chasing this, that and the other thing, you finally think you have everything you need.
Out comes the matic.
Get real REAL dirty.
Disassemble the transfer case for the new input to take the 5spd output shaft...
Realize that you got the wrong one. There are two different inputs for standard. Two different inputs for automatic. Doh!
Wait for the right one.
Get more dirty while you wait.
Begin installation of the handshaker while waiting for the part for the transfer.
Discover that you have no rear transmission mount. No problem, John simply goes to his machines and makes one! (You know you are in the right place when the guy helping you makes tools for a living and your truck is sharing a garage with a bunch of stuff that says "Bridgeport" on it... )
Then find that you have not been sent a clutch arm with your bell housing... no problem, you find one from someone elses project and "borrow" it.
South Bend is now bolted in and ready to go!
(I got a full on chubby.
)
Remove big brake pedal. Realize that all the wiring through the firewall for the guages and brake system goes through the rubber grommet where the clutch cylinder has to go. Ooops!
No problem, just some more time.
(This is not even close to misery guys... )
Get in the input for the transfer... . assemble.
Mount trans. Realize that the driveshafts, which you did not check, are now 6 inches off... even though you were told by a certain TDR member they were the same length
grrrrrrr!!
Drive 2 hours to a D/S shop and have new ones made, further risking a lorena bobbit reaction from your otherwise friendly mate when she sees the bank balance...
(still not even CLOSE to misery)
Get trans in, get new shiny shafts installed... go to put shifter in and realize that your dumbass self forgot how the shifter mounts and Blumenthals has your top shifter assembly somewhere in thier shop.
(No misery yet)
Go and steal the shifter from a yard truck... er, I mean... BORROW the shifter from a yard truck. lol
Fill your freshly done transfer case with slick amsoil ATF...
Fill the trans with nice, slick series 2000 gear lube.
This thing has taken you a full week. 10 to 12 hour days. All you need to do is make sure the trans works, fix the boot on the floor and then you can kill your DP and get on with some massive fuel delivery mods MUHAHAHAHA!Oo.
Bleeding hands, swollen fingers. Grease under the nails that will just have to come out with time... you guys know the drill.
One quick last check underneath.
Here comes the misery:
Misery is reaching up, after all of this and realizing that the used tailshaft housing you got has a hairline crack in it and is now ooooooooozing out that fresh amsoil onto the floor.
Where is my . 357?
MISERY
No, it is not anyones fault, so please dont think I am badmouthing anyone. All of the vendors I have dealt with, including the private guy who sold me the 2wd setup have been excellent.
This just happens.
Misery.
(Edited because it was too darn long)
Epilogue: Cast iron tail shaft on its way... Blumenthals gets my thumbs up as a good vendor!
After months of chasing this, that and the other thing, you finally think you have everything you need.
Out comes the matic.
Get real REAL dirty.
Disassemble the transfer case for the new input to take the 5spd output shaft...
Realize that you got the wrong one. There are two different inputs for standard. Two different inputs for automatic. Doh!
Wait for the right one.
Get more dirty while you wait.
Begin installation of the handshaker while waiting for the part for the transfer.
Discover that you have no rear transmission mount. No problem, John simply goes to his machines and makes one! (You know you are in the right place when the guy helping you makes tools for a living and your truck is sharing a garage with a bunch of stuff that says "Bridgeport" on it... )
Then find that you have not been sent a clutch arm with your bell housing... no problem, you find one from someone elses project and "borrow" it.
South Bend is now bolted in and ready to go!
(I got a full on chubby.
)Remove big brake pedal. Realize that all the wiring through the firewall for the guages and brake system goes through the rubber grommet where the clutch cylinder has to go. Ooops!
No problem, just some more time.
(This is not even close to misery guys... )
Get in the input for the transfer... . assemble.
Mount trans. Realize that the driveshafts, which you did not check, are now 6 inches off... even though you were told by a certain TDR member they were the same length
grrrrrrr!!Drive 2 hours to a D/S shop and have new ones made, further risking a lorena bobbit reaction from your otherwise friendly mate when she sees the bank balance...
(still not even CLOSE to misery)
Get trans in, get new shiny shafts installed... go to put shifter in and realize that your dumbass self forgot how the shifter mounts and Blumenthals has your top shifter assembly somewhere in thier shop.
(No misery yet)
Go and steal the shifter from a yard truck... er, I mean... BORROW the shifter from a yard truck. lol
Fill your freshly done transfer case with slick amsoil ATF...
Fill the trans with nice, slick series 2000 gear lube.
This thing has taken you a full week. 10 to 12 hour days. All you need to do is make sure the trans works, fix the boot on the floor and then you can kill your DP and get on with some massive fuel delivery mods MUHAHAHAHA!Oo.
Bleeding hands, swollen fingers. Grease under the nails that will just have to come out with time... you guys know the drill.
One quick last check underneath.
Here comes the misery:
Misery is reaching up, after all of this and realizing that the used tailshaft housing you got has a hairline crack in it and is now ooooooooozing out that fresh amsoil onto the floor.
Where is my . 357?
MISERY
No, it is not anyones fault, so please dont think I am badmouthing anyone. All of the vendors I have dealt with, including the private guy who sold me the 2wd setup have been excellent.
This just happens.
Misery.
(Edited because it was too darn long)
Epilogue: Cast iron tail shaft on its way... Blumenthals gets my thumbs up as a good vendor!
Last edited:
(I thought they have a kit w/everything except the driveshafts)
