No ones really saying a transfercase bracket is a bad idea, but rather because your reasoning for doing it is wrong.

You are under the impression that solid mounting the transfercase/transmission will lessen the vibration if something on the driveshaft were to fail - no it wouldn't. Instead of the soft rubber mounts absorbing the vibration - allowing the transmission and transfercase to move around, the solid transfercase mount will cause all the energy from those vibrations to be absorbed only by the transfercase housing and bearings - putting them under far greater stress. If something like the driveshaft gives out again, you'll still end up destroying just as much - if not more stuff.

Also just look at the difference in the transmission case of an E4OD vs. a C6. The E4OD is massive in comparison, with tons of extra support ribbing. The E4 case is much stronger than a C6 case could ever hope to be. It's not like the transfercase weight is hanging off the transmission either - a lot of it supported by the adapter. My buddy has a turbocharged '96 F-250HD 460 CCSB 4x4. He wheels it, and does full throttle boost runs. His 4407 is still right where it's supposed to be..

You try to make a point saying a transfercase support bracket is necessary because 78-79 trucks have them, how about this counter point: If they're so necessary, why did Ford stop using them? You'll probably counter with cost savings, but manufacturers don't usually skimp on an item that without, would cause the transmission case to break in half. Ford, GM, Dodge, etc..do extensive testing. Their knowledge of aluminum and its characteristics are far greater then yours, mine, or just about anyone on this forum. They've been hanging transfercase off the transmissions for 30+ years, if there was some major issue with them cracking off - they would have addressed them.

As far as 15" wheels...You know why 10 different people told you they wouldn't fit? Because they've tried. 15" wheels absolutely do not fit on later model F-250/350 trucks with the large twin-piston calipers. You can make them with a lot of grinding, or by getting wheels with a crazy backspacing that would shove the wheel way outside of your fenders and cause tremendous stress on your wheel bearings, hub and ball joints.

 

If you know so much, why even come one here looking for help?

As for the weight of the 3 t-cases in question. What do they weigh?

 

I have seen this era trucks with 15" rims on it. Not just half tons, but 3/4 tons and 1 tons. I have also seen trucks that they DIDN'T fit on. I'm unsure as to why this is, but it's true.
As far as making a support. I say go for it. It really isn't a bad idea. Of course it isn't a substitute for an unbalanced and dented driveshaft, but I'm sure you understand that. But if all kinds of hanging weight was a good idea, the transmission wouldn't have mounts for it would it? See there's a point for everyone that doesn't think it's a good idea. Just make sure that the mounts use a vibration absorbing substance like rubber or poly urethane. Take pictures while you build and when you're done!
Oh and Brad, quit acting like YOU know so much. You are ignoring his question entirely. You have given him no help. All you have done is argue with what he wants to do. What does it matter what they weigh? Once again YOU ignored the fact that the transfer cases that you claimed were so identical are almost nothing alike. It doesn't even matter what they weigh. But they do have weight. Hanging weight that is supported by the bolts up at the transmission.

 

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!

And since he has seen so many transfer case supports over the years, shouldn't he know what truck to look for to get one????

Like I said before, if he had put as much effort in looking for a support as he did trying to convince us he is right and we and Ford are wrong, he would already have this project done and forgot about!!!!!!

 

I've seen 435s and T18s with aluminum adapters...

It's your truck, if you want to put in a support, all the more power to you, just post pics. BUT, even with a support, you do understand that a bent drive shaft, or a U-joint going to hell can still break stuff, right?

But how about putting a 2wd transmission in with a divorced 205, then the transfer case can't F up the transmission.

I haven't played with a 4407 in about a year, but IIRC it does weigh quite a bit less than my 205.

 

Ummmmm, what

Seriously, you started this train wreck of a thread back in FEBRUARY-if you want to build a transfer case support, just DO IT! Dont waste 3 months yakking about it and insulting people. Myself and others have told you our opinions-personally I think you'll cause more problems than you'll solve. But, it's YOUR TRUCK-do what you want to with it!

 

This is what I'm talking about, people that contribute nothing but make false accusations. When did I say I wanted to solid mount the transfercase? As usual, you all hear what you want and start an argument about it. I never said I wanted to make a solid mount for the t-case to be supported by for that would not allow any vibration at all causing more problems than it's worth. The only person who said anything about solid mounting was you. My question was if anyone knew of such support for this year truck and then my question was if anyone had seen BW4407 equipped trucks that had transfercase skidplates that I could make my own support bracket out of that I would be including rubber isolators do damped vibration but as usual, you are just another guy who gives your 2 cents without even knowing what is going on.
As for the 10 guys I talked to about the 15" wheels on 3/4 ton trucks, you have no idea who I talked to to say they knew from experience. On the contrary, they were assuming and I made my statement to them based on experience. I've done it on early 90's TTB F250's with very little grinding on the front rims. The 15" rims fit over the sterling rear drums with no mods at all. If you know so much then tell me why Ford offered 15" rims on their F250 Bigfoot Cruiser 4x4 trucks in the 80's and 90's?
As for your E4od and C6 talk, that once again has nothing to do with ANYTHING what-so-ever. Both trannys are supported and the t-case is not so it has nothing to do with what I'm talking about. You can do us all a favor and stop speaking because nothing you are saying is relating to the topic at hand.

 

Did you happen to read anything I wrote? If you did then you would know the one thing I did NOT want was others advice and they can keep their opinions to themselves. I have never and will never ask for advice on this site because I've seen too many threads that turn into ego matches. I limit my questions to things that are based on fact and not opinion to avoid this problem yet even making my intentions clear is not enough for some who crave pointless arguing that they can't possibly win. This was never a thread about opinions at all and I believe I made that clear yet the flood of personal opinions flows in. All I cared to inquire about was finding a skidplate for my specific year/t-case equipped truck and from there I did not give the slightest hint toward wanting anyones advice.
Also, are you really so clueless to think I've sat at my computer for 3 months anticipating peoples replies instead of fabricating a part for my truck? I'm not relying on you guys. If I was nothing would get accomplished except for arguing. If I needed this done ASAP, why would there be so much time passed between posts? Perhaps I have had others things going on and what I'm talking about is not a current project? If this was my top priority I would have just quickly made the part myself instead of asking a question online and waiting for a response. I thought there would be someone on this site that had a quick tip but I guess I was wrong about that.

 

[quote=White 97 xlt;11883340]EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!

And since he has seen so many transfer case supports over the years, shouldn't he know what truck to look for to get one????

Like I said before, if he had put as much effort in looking for a support as he did trying to convince us he is right and we and Ford are wrong, he would already have this project done and forgot about!!!!!![/quote

You quoted someone who hasn't got a clue about anything he is saying and has been proven wrong in numerous posts throughout this thread but go right ahead, quote him, that speaks volumes about you.

This is not an immediate project so I can take all the time in the world. As for trying to convince others I'm right, I don't care what you think. You obviously are not smart enough to comprehend what I'm talking about nor do you even know what you are talking about. I'm not trying to prove Ford wrong but a t-case support is a good idea in my opinion regardless of what others think. I can think of numerous positive reasons for having one yet you all argue with me just because none of the trucks you drive have the type of support I'm refering to. Well, Ford use to use it and they still do use it on certain applications as well as numerous guys in the off-road community have the need for one. The way you guys make it sound, it's almost like you don't find things necessary unless Ford use them! Tell me, just because they don't use a t-case support on most of the newer trucks, would you not add one if you were going to add a secondary t-case or a gear splitter box? I sure would. At what distance hanging off the back of the tranny and at what t-case weight would you think adding a support bracket would be a good idea? Now I know a gear reduction unit adds to the existing t-case and you all think in stock form it would be fine but look at it like this. The 1356 did not need a t-case support in my opinion but when Ford switched to the 4407 unit, for me it was a dumb move on Fords part to not start adding t-case supports because the t-case is so beefy and long. I have been in a scenario where damaged would have probably been avoided if I had a support bracket and 100lbs. of metal didn't start flopping around unsuspended under my truck and crack my tranny. All manufacturers cut corners for various reasons and I still think a t-case support is a good idea regardless if a bunch of guys on some website think it's a good one. Hmm, ford never had detroit lockers, 6" lift kits, 35" mud tires, beefed up frames/suspension from the factory on their 87-96 trucks but under the line of thinking of you guys, "Ford didn't have any reason for doing it so I don't either". Everyone is different, uses their truck for different reasons in different terrain, and at different speed. Some like to modify their vehicles to the extent others find to be overkill but what the hell is it to you? If you modify your truck or leave it stock, it has no effect on me so why should you care what I do to mine? Even if you all are right about the support not being necessary that still doesn't make it wrong to make something overkill that gets beat on like a readheaded stepchild every time it's taken out. I like everything to be beefed up to avoid problems in the first place. That is one thing I've learned over the years, It's good to do things a little overkill.
What I do on this site and in life is leave others to go about their own business. If they want my help I'm more than happy to lend a hand. If they want a simple answer to a simple question and don't want my opinion I'll do as they wish for it's their project and their life. What is so hard to understand about that?
BTW, that last question was meant to be a rhetorical statement for you all to ponder over and not an invitation for 10 more dunces to give their response and show a complete lack of reading comprehension skills.

 

You take my words and make them mean what you want them to. Solid mounting as opposed to having the transfercase in free air. I don't care if you add some rubber bushings, it's still not going to save your transmission if the driveshaft goes out.

As usual? Look how long I've been here and look at my reputation "meter". It wouldn't be that high if I just came into everyone's threads and posted crap.

A forum is a place for open discussion. You're being closed minded and refusing to accept other people's arguments.
That just throws your entire argument out the window since you had to do grinding, and that the later trucks have even larger front brakes.

With enough grinding, or 15" wheels with ridiculous backspacing - you can get them to fit. Just like I said.
Then they were specially made, had a lot of offset, and it'd be easier with the smaller calipers of the '87.
You said the heavy transfercase caused your C6 transmission to break. I pointed out that the E4OD case (which is presumably in your truck) is far larger more durable than a C6 case, making it even less likely for the transfercase to damage the transmission

It's clearly obvious that you think you know more than Ford, I and everyone else in this thread, and are not open at all to opinions that conflict with yours. I have nothing more to add and will not be posting in this thread again.

 

need a smiley eating popcorn... this is getting interesting lol

 

If we are so stupid, and you know SO much more than any one here, why do you have so much NEED for us to see things YOUR way!!!!

Why don't you get off the computer and build you TC support and quit bumping your gums!!!

 

OK I need to offer some real world information to support the author of this thread, and to verify some susspisions and false assumptions found here.

I, personally, need a cross member for MY 1997 F-250 with the BW4407. Those that do not think they need one, probably don't until they change their mind.

This weekend I am going to change my transmission. Why? Because it cracked from the weight of the BW4407. It was exacerbated by a U-Joint failer. I came to a stop after 100 feet of vibration and found that the vibration combined with the twisting weight of the BW4407 caused the tail shaft of my ZF SB-47 (5-speed Manual for those who aren't familiar) to crack all the way around, allowing the transfer case to drop and be held up by the driveshaft resting on the.....wait for it.....factory skid plate.
Anyone looking for a factory T-Case skid plate can find them on all F-250 and F350s from that era with the "Off-Road" package. Mine came with it.
The T-Case itself would probably never break. A cross member is to benefit the trans, not the T-Case.
Rear tail housings are not available used. $400 new. I ended up having to buying a $1300 rebuilt trans. The factory certified ZF rebuilder said, without me prompting, that it sounded like I had the BW4407 T case. He said that it's a very common problem and a good percentage of ZF cores they get in have cracked tail housings. Many of the cracks aren't complete like mine, and are either partial cracks, or not visible until the case is cleaned. He said that compared to the BW1356, the BW4407 "is really heavy and creates too much twisting weight on the transmission. Eventually it will fail, especially with a big vibration from a driveline". Contrary to popular belief on this thread, he suggested, on his own, that I build a supporting crossmember, but to make sure that it is not hard mounted so some movement is possible.
This is from a shop that has dealt with this repeatedly. And, this is my real world experience.
Nobody can tell me that I don't need one.
I'm also adding a Gear Vendor overdrive, so it's more of a requirement at this point than a nice to have.
Oh and cut the guy some slack, would ya? If he wants to build support brackets for everything under his truck, he should be allowed to do so. It's his truck.

 

There again. the U-JOINT was the cause of the failure