Front Driveshaft Length Issues V6

Ken says that his front is too short, I have shafts I took out of a 66 V 6, Ken says they are even shorter than his? The V6 Donor I used is original the V 6 uses the same cross member but it is moved back several inches for the transfer case, the V6 is a lot longer than the F 134 engine and Trans. The V 6 frame I used had the holes for either way, the V 6 or the F 134 engine. You can see the adapter between the bell housing and transmission in Kens Picture make the V 6 longer than the F 134.

 

I make all my own driveshafts. Its pretty easy to do.

 

I have the V6 grill and radiator which came off the same Jeep as the drivetrain.
I think it's possible that they used a couple different bellhousings over the years. I might have read something about that here. I mocked up the grill yesterday and it sits with sufficient clearance to the fan.

The crossmember for my setup actually sits closer to the engine than the 4F crossmember. I measured 5 or 6 times, copying the location from the old V6 frame and it lined up correctly. On the V6 frame you can see where the holes for the 4F crossmember would have been, they just aren't completely drilled through. Also you can see the holes where the rivits for the 4F motor mounts would have gone.

I suspect my driveshaft length issue is stacking of tolerances combined with different style spring hangars.

Also after comparing to my assembled M38A1 on stock height springs I found my rear springs are about a 2" lift while the front springs are an inch or so lower. They are nice and soft riding though. I'll have to see how it looks when things are all assembled.

 

I think the issue is the drivetrain is too far back,

When I did my transplant, I located the crossmember first, then welded in the motor mounts. This kept the drivelines at the proper length. My T18 conversion was only about 3/4" longer than the stock T14/bellhousing which allowed the engine to still fit behind the radiator.

 

I think I know where he got that frame from. LOL