Is it possible to remove and replace the transfer case adapter on a C-6 4x4 transmission without tearing down the transmission? I'm not interested in converting a 4x4 trans.to 2x4 or vis versa, just swapping one C-6 transfer case adapter for another.

 

The adapter is on the back of the transmission, on the output shaft where the u-joint would normally connect to the driveshaft. You should be able to take it off right on your driveway, if you can fit underneath. You'll probably have to jack the rear of the truck up though enough to be somewhat comfortable. You aren't actually doing any work to the transmission itself, so it should come right off without having to drop anything else. The driveshaft and transfer case are going to have to come off though, driveshaft can be left on at the axle end provide you prop it up and don't let it hit the ground.

 

I'm not worried about doing it in the driveway because the transmission is coming out of the truck anyway.

The reason I asked the question is because I want to switch the '84 transfer case adapter for a later model version. The later versions have the cross-member mounting point moved 4 inches to the rear (from what I have read). I plan to swap an '84 engine and trans. into an '89 truck. Use of a later model t/c adapter would allow me to use a stock later model cross-member.

If it is that easy to remove, then I should be able to get an adapter from a junk trans and just remove/install the adapter myself without involving a trans. shop.

Now to see if I can locate an appropriate C-6 trans. and cross-member.

 

I am not sure about the 4 inch rearward thing, but if that is true, what happens to the transfer case shifter when it's moved back 4 inches? They used a different shifter so it would not hit the seat? The seat is in the same place on all the early and late model cabs as far as I know.

 

As I understand it, the transfer case adapter was not lengthened, the mount point was just relocated to the rear. I guess the only way to know for sure is to find a later model C6 4x4 trans. and measure the length of the adapter and the mount point position.

I was concerned that it would be necessary to tear down the trans. to swap adapters. If this is not the case it will ease the swap. The other alternative is to modify the cross-member that is in the '84 to use in the swap.

 

I can't imagine it being too much different, since most* of the trucks used very similar or the same parts across the 2 generations.