Ok..... here we go!
Fitting a T-5 into LH/X with no tunnel mods.
Firstly, there was no way the box was going to go in without removing the bellhousing. This made the job easy.
My T-5 has been fully recoed. I also had the Ford rear extension housing fitted in an attempt to align the shiter up with the factory hole & to give that little bit of extra clearance.
This made it a whole lot easier too......
..... the hoist, not the Vette! lol.
Once the bellhousing & clutch was in place, the box just slotted home
Thanks to my m8s & kids for doing the lifting!
I will be fabbing up a Xmember shortly. Steel cost was under $25. No mates rates on this one.
Now...... here is the problem........ even with the Ford rear extension housing, the selector position still didn't align with the factory hole.
It's close [ about 30mm], but not close enough. Simple solution is to open up the shifter hole in the tunnel. Fortunately, when i trim the hole, it wont touch the floor reinforcement. There is enough clearance for that. That will keep the Inspector happy!
I have a tonne of room above the gearbox. It's only the selector part that is hitting. If i open up the tunnel & allow the box to poke thru, there will be heaps of room!
Pic of the box hanging down on the engine mounts. I can still lift it about 15mm to gain more clearance. If i poke the selector thru the tunnel, i will have heaps of room!
I think i will be opening up the tunnel! It's the simplest solution.
Still.... i have much more room than some of the T-5 horror stories that i have read on here.
While the boys were slotting the box into place, i took the opportunity to remove the front control arms.... again!
See why?
Brand new bushes! I contacted the manufacturer & they have supplied me with replacements. As i type, the arms are in the shop having the new items fitted. They will be getting the bill for labour too!
Wonder where the rest of the bushes are???? Have a gander inside the x-member...
Things are looking rather ordinary without the front end assembled
That's it for now. I hope to have the front end reassembled this arvo or on the weekend.
It won't take me long to fab up a gearbox x-member, so
purple can come home soon!