Driveshaft loop install question (w/ tremec)

[XH29N0G]

I just bought a Metco driveshaft loop.  Their install instructions suggest removing seats, carpet & console and putting the car on a lift before drilling through the floor pan.  I do not have a lift and I have a bench seat and no console.  There looks like a fair amount of space under the seat.  

I am contemplating drilling from the underside, and then figuring out how to put holes through the carpet and mat without pulling the carpet.  I would then drop the bolts through (over the carpet) and put in the loop.  It seems straightforward this way.  

Am I missing something big?   I have a Tremec transmission, and by my first pass measurements all of this will be under the seats and out of view.  

[fy469rtse]

I think you might have the bolt holes interfere around seat tracks , making it hard to put your bolts brought with tracks in the way ,
Drill from bottom, use a soldering iron to melt through the Capet from underneath, that way you should be able to holes and decide if you need to remove seats to get to the holes

[XH29N0G]

I think you might have the bolt holes interfere around seat tracks , making it hard to put your bolts brought with tracks in the way ,
Drill from bottom, use a soldering iron to melt through the Capet from underneath, that way you should be able to holes and decide if you need to remove seats to get to the holes

Thanks, that makes sense.  As far as I can tell, the bench seats only use the two outer seat tracks so this may work.

[fy469rtse]

Sounds good , instructions are assuming muscle car with buckets , good luck with it

[John_Kunkel]

I would drill from the bottom with a very small drill and then push a needle up through the carpet to locate the hole's position....that way if you don't like the position you only have a tiny hole to plug. If all is well then increase the size of the hole to the bolt size.

[XH29N0G]

Excellent idea.  Thank you.

[XH29N0G]

I just took some preliminary measurements and the tail shaft of my transmission looks to be considerably lower than the stock set up.  I also think the driveshaft may be a larger diameter than stock.  The driveshaft will therefore have somewhere between 1/4" and 1/2" clearance with the lower inside part of the loop.  The options I can think of are (1) to go with it the way it is, (2) to shim the loop so it is lower, or (3) to look into raising the transmission.  #3 will require some massaging of the tunnel.  Which option is the way to go?  Or is there another option? 

[fy469rtse]

I would put it as forward as you can , the idea of it is to catch shaft if universal fails , with it forward the amount of clearance needed is reduced,
Mock it up , post a photo before you install let us see

[XH29N0G]

I did a mock up and it is a worse situation than I thought.  The loop contacts the driveshaft (see pics below). 

My guess is that I need to find someone who will help me pull the transmission, modify the tunnel, and raise the tailshaft of the transmission.  (This will also help me with driveline angles which are OK, but a bit on the high side.)

I suppose a second option would be to shim the loop so it sits lower, but my guess is that you and others here will also think that a worse choice than raising the tail of the transmission.

I am looking to bolt into the relief on the floor pan because I assume it is stronger and nicely placed.

Thoughts?  Advice?

[RallyeMike]

Do you have it in upside down?

Otherwise, it seems it would be easier to cut off the tabs and weld them onto a better spot than to go through all that trans/tunnel stuff.

[XH29N0G]

Mike,

Thanks,  The instructions say to put the smaller portion of the ring on the bottom, which I did.  I don't think it will fit flipped over.  I had not thought about cutting the tabs and welding.  I don't weld (yet) so I would need to find someone to do that, but I hadn't thought of that as an option. 

[John_Kunkel]

I'd just place some spacer plates between the floor and the loop tabs.

[XH29N0G]

Thanks for the suggestion.  I just ordered some 1/2 inch Aluminum bar to make a shim and slightly longer bolts.

[RallyeMike]

Mike,

Thanks,  The instructions say to put the smaller portion of the ring on the bottom, which I did.  I don't think it will fit flipped over.  I had not thought about cutting the tabs and welding.  I don't weld (yet) so I would need to find someone to do that, but I hadn't thought of that as an option. 

Ya, I went and looked the part up on line. It must not be made to accommodate the Tremec. The spacer should do the trick. Good luck.

[six-tee-nine]

Maybe a little late, but why not a drive shaft loop from US Cartool?
It mounts to the trans crossmemeber without adittional drilling.

However cant say how it works with a aftermarket trans or aftermarket crossmember.....

[XH29N0G]

Maybe a little late, but why not a drive shaft loop from US Cartool?
It mounts to the trans crossmemeber without adittional drilling.

However cant say how it works with a aftermarket trans or aftermarket crossmember.....

I thought about that and like their design, but read in a few places that they did not work well with the tremec geometry.  If I had one to try, I would, but right now, I think I will work with what I have.

If anyone knows otherwise (i.e., they fit) please correct me on this. 

I appreciate the suggestion.