I thought I’d share my recent drivetrain upgrade I put in my 01’ 3500 (SRW converted) 6 spd.

On transfer case side of things swapping a NP271D in is pretty common for a 2nd gen. I wanted to take it one step farther.

It took some trial & error finding what parts will work and what doesn’t. It’s pretty much a modified Ford design.

I found a used 08’ NP271D and rebuilt/modified it. Eliminated the leaky Dodge slip yoke tail housing and utilized the rear fixed flange yoke setup from a 06’ NP273F.

I bought the rebuild kit, some updated parts & specific seal installers from TorqueKing4x4.

I also installed the Ford style companion flange on my Dana 80 along with a new washer, nut & seal.

***Snap-On # M3586 is the correct thin walled 1-7/8” socket if you ever need it.***

Initially had a 5” aluminum driveshaft but the Sonax slip yoke kit is quite expensive so I had a 4” steel one locally made and upsized it to 1480 greasable ujoints (OEM are 1410).

T/case fits perfectly. There’s 1/8” of clearance at the frame and no contact at bottom of cab.

The 2nd Gen linkage rod (11”) is a tad short so even set at max travel the shifter will be off just a touch. So I replaced it with the 3rd Gen 16” one and now it’s perfect.

I don’t have the cad Dana 60 so the momentary ball switch from the old NP241D-HD just swaps over to make the 4wd light come on.

I have the LRG trans crossmember so I didn’t have any interference with the front driveshaft.

APPS delete ✅
Midrange power steering ✅
Electric vacuum pump ✅

Next project: Dynatrac high pinion 35 spline Dana 60 3.73 gears with an electric locker…

Enjoy!

Edited Sunday at 05:31 AM2 days by Mace

Same driveshaft my 1972 Dodge Power Wagon had... I'm assuming there is a grease zerk on the other side of the stub? The issue I had back in the day the spines wear down if you don't keep up with the greasing and that seal for the spline. My old 1972 had a unmarried transfer case and that short shaft was wobbling from a worn spline. Learned a lot about the old school spline shafts.

1 hour ago, Mopar1973Man said:

Same driveshaft my 1972 Dodge Power Wagon had... I'm assuming there is a grease zerk on the other side of the stub? The issue I had back in the day the spines wear down if you don't keep up with the greasing and that seal for the spline. My old 1972 had a unmarried transfer case and that short shaft was wobbling from a worn spline. Learned a lot about the old school spline shafts.

Yes, it’s on the other side. The splines are coated in Teflon but I’ll stay atop of it.