There may be a way to delete the 2wd long tail housing from a NV4500 and replace with a special short one. someone may have a kit, or I am sure something could be made to work.

I would swap to NV4500 with married transfer, and if you want to later you can still bolt the old stuff back in.
I am sure you can still drive the winch off the PTO opening on the NV4500.

Moving the engine forward sounds like more work than it's worth, along with the other small problems it will create.

Grigg

•1951 GMC 250 in the Project Journals
•1948 Chevrolet 6400 - Detroit Diesel 4-53T - Roadranger 10 speed overdrive - 4 wheel disc brakes
•1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup
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"First, get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish, and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it..." -Henry Maudslay-