A dynamometer-based test apparatus that includes a driving dynamometer which is rotatable between first and second positions thus allowing attachment to either a vehicle transmission from a vehicle having a transverse engine/transmission configuration or directly to a vehicle propeller shaft and a first vertically adjustable absorption dynamometer attachable to a first output drive shaft from a vehicle differential and a second vertically adjustable absorption dynamometer attachable to a second output drive shaft from a vehicle differential. A hand held rotating device such as a drill is attached to a gear and used to rotate the platform supporting the drive dynamometer and is attached to different jack screws to move that platform linearly, a base beneath the platform linearly and the absorption dynamometers vertically.