4l60E trans to what TC

Finally accuired my buddies 73 Commando that has been in storage for 10 years in humid climate. Body and frame pretty rusty but holding together, 304 low on compression - ran when parked - 6 cyls @ 60#, 2 @ 110, Has automatic trans. So since the above situation I am thinking the 2000 4.3 that I was going to install in my 2a is a good canidate to put in the COmmando along with the 4l60e transmission for better fuel economy. COmplete set up is from 2000 astro that I am currently driving but come Feburary it is being scraped. My question is what transfeercase to use? Adapter for the D20 $500, hoping to get by cheaper since frame so rusty not sure how long it will last.

Anyone know if any GM TCs are direct bolt on and are worthy?

Really want low range.

Thanks
Tiptop

 

Sounds like you have a 2 wheel drive tranny. Regardless what transfer case you go with you will need an adapter kit. If you can find a 4 wheel drive output shaft and a 203 adapter you could bolt up a Dana 300 Jeep transfer case but you still will need to disassemble the transmission to change the output shaft, find the 203 adapter and redrill it, and find a 300 transfer case. Not a cheap proposition but do-able. Probably money and time ahead to buy an aftermarket kit to bolt up whatever transfer case you decide to use. Also, make sure to decide on a transfer case with the front output on the side to match your front axle......

 

Oops, should have noted that my 4l60e is from a AWD Astro so the trans has no tailhousing or outputshaft yoke. I would be getting rid of the AWD case and then need a TC to bolt up.

Appreciate the replies.

 

I understand that the Chevy NP208 used in some pickups is passenger side drop. I don't know if it's possible to bolt that up to your 4L60E, but that seems like the combo that has the most chance of working. If the main shaft of the Astro AWD 4L60E is different from the 4WD pickup transmission, then you may as well just buy the complete pickup trans and transfer case and use that. Compare that with the price of the adapter from Novak, and choose the combo that makes the most sense. Also, be sure that the Astro AWD 4L60E will work with the Novak kit - again, it may be different from other 2WD or 4WD 4L60Es.

Just a comment - the '73 Commando engine bay is plenty long enough for a V8 or inline 6. Instead of trying to make what you have work, I'd suggest you look around for a complete V8 or inline 6 engine-trans-TC. You also have the chassis length to accommodate many drivetrain combos that would never fit in a CJ-5. "Just because you have the engine on hand, doesn't make it a good swap."

 

tigmr, Good thinking on the 4l60e output not being same as a 4wd output.

Like the 4.3/4l60 not just because I have it, but the 4.3 fuel economy verse v8 and the overdrive economy. Frame is pretty rusty, so if I install the 4.3/4l60 and frame gives out, I can go back to my original plan of installing the 4.3 into my 2a and scrap the commando rather than buying a different engine for commando and then having that to get rif of. But very good points, Thanks

 

Should have added,

Thinking the 304 may have stuck piston rings ( scoped bores through plug hole and they do not look scored or rusty and pressurized cylinders and had air coming out cranckcase - not intake or exhaust) any ideas on any mechanic in a can concoction to pour into cylinders that may free up rings? Thinking atf, diesel or?