Anyone converted a 271D to (ford) 271F fixed yoke output?

[SRath]

This intended project crosses generational lines, so I'm not sure which gen to post to, but since I specifically seek info on converting a 271D to a 271F fixed yoke rear output, I'm going with the 3rd gen forum initially.
Just to give a bird's eye view of the overall project, the NP271D is going behind an NV5600 which is about to be installed behind the 12v in my '97 extended cab to replace the NV4500.
It would seem fairly straightforward while overhauling a 271D to replace the mainshaft and tailhousing with a Ford 271F mainshaft and housing (seal, yoke, nut, etc) if you prefer a fixed-yoke rear output, like I do. The same thing is often done to NP205's and my 2-piece rear driveshaft already has a slip-joint at the carrier bearing, so it doesn't need a t-case slip-joint, too.
The front part of my rear driveshaft will need shortened, modified for the much beefier 271 output, and the entire driveshaft will need rebalanced anyway, so now is the time to do the fixed yoke conversion, too.
But the 271F apparently underwent a significant mainshaft upgrade at some point. Not sure what year, but Ford was using the NP271 long before Dodge, and there is no mention of any such mainshaft issues or upgrades with 271D t-cases, so I'm guessing the "upgrade" was designed into the 271D. Something to do with improving the oiling.
Typical 271F "upgraded mainshaft" kits usually include a new range hub and range fork, as well, so I'm guessing the oiling issue had something to do with the range hub.
Exactly what parts besides the Ford mainshaft and tailhousing, yoke, nut, etc do I need if my overhaul kit for the 271D already has all the bearings and wear parts a Dodge 271 needs?
I appreciate any knowledge or experience you can provide.

 

[Ozymandias]

Wasn't the 271/3 to big (wide) to fit the 2nd Gen Frame?
I thought I've read about that a couple years ago.

 

[SRath]

Yes, I've read there are minor clearance issues with both the floorpan and the frame on 2nd gen 271 upgrades, but the same guys who have done it also say it doesn't take much to make it fit. Guess I'll soon find out. If it won't fit, then I have a Ford NP205 that will get a Dodge 29-spline input shaft, twin stick rails, and be mated to the 5600 using a custom cnc'd billet adapter and cable shifter. I was saving that setup for the NV5600 conversion in my '96 to see which I liked better. I'm Old School and a devout believer in the legendary NP205, not a big fan of chain driven aluminum case t-cases, but one look at the massive rear output of a 271 made me willing to give it a shot.
But in light of the possibility the 271 requires more frame butchery than I'm willing to do, maybe I'll hold off trying a fixed yoke output on it. A week ago, time was on my side and I had the intended luxury of being able to trial fit everything on the 96 first, which is undergoing a frame-up restoration/build. But my 97's "all new and fully upgraded " (but out of warranty) NV4500 finished going catastrophically belly up the day after Thanksgiving (it was a noisy, hard-shifting pos transmission from Day 1, imo, but the company in Texas I bought it from kept saying it was just new and tight and would break in eventually). Suddenly now both trucks are down and that's unacceptable.
So there is real urgency to getting the NV5600 conversion done on the '97 instead of the '96 first.

 

[Ozymandias]

Next thing i stumbled over seems to be that the shifter linkage of the Gen2 doesn't play well with the Dodge 271 - but the Ford 271 seems to have the right order for the gears.

Edit: can't find that link anymore, stupid me.

 

[SRath]

I've read the same thing and wondered how I would deal with mounting the t-case shifter since the 271 shifter, unlike the 241, mounts to the floorpan/trans tunnel.
My 'solution', yet to be tested, was to buy the complete floor console with boots from a 5600/271 equipped donor truck. Plus I used my Milwaukee hackzall to cut out the entire floor/trans tunnel from the donor truck. The t-case shifter mount is part of it and I'll weld in the section I need. Should work.
If not, a good surface-mount cable shifter will work. Same as I bought for installing an NP205 except the 271 wont require or accept a twin-stick setup.
Also, I know little about newer trucks, but I also have a surface-mount shifter for a later model dodge with a 271. Looks like Dodge stopped making the pivot point part of the floor and realized a surface mount shifter is easier? The 271, like the 241, shifts linearly, so it doesnt need complex linkage and can be shifted with either rod linkage or morse cable linkage.