G'day Big, lol, my rig ain't new, it's a 1985 model that has had a ground up rebuild. My best mate is a panel beater and there has been many hours and beers spent to get it lookin like it does.
Yes my gearbox is a H55F.
No I have not modified the crossmember. My gearbox still sits in the factory position north-south, but I have made a spacer to lift the box up 40mm on the crossmember to allow me to mount the engine higher to give better sump clearence etc. ( This was possible as I also have 50mm body lift blocks).
Not sure if I've mentioned in this thread that I had to modify the firewall quite a bit to mount the engine where I have. You could mount the engine further foward, but then you would have to modify the crossmember, tailshafts, trans tunnel holes and probably a stepped shifter as the stick would be up the dash.
I'm not sure, but if yours was a four pot diesel, then I think your gearbox may have a different length input shaft to mine. Looking at your pics of your kit, this is probably why you have that big thick spacer that goes between the bellhousing and gearbox. If my guess is right, then this may help you mount the engine forward to minimise firewall mods.
Anyway enough typing, I hope some of this helps mate. I know how you feel, but don't give up. Drop me a line if you want to know more.
Cheers ,Beato
so the front axles shouldn't be any problem..fingers crossed..
