VACUUM TO MECHANICAL - '84 GW NP 229

[WINGO]

If possible, I would like to convert the vacuum mode switch on the NP 229 and the vacuum switch on the front axel to a mechanical set-up.

The vacuum mode switch looks simple enough to do. Could use a manual choke cable or something like it but the front axel has me stumped!

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[bchesley]

When you figure it out please post results. I too want a manual shifter!

[Snakeyes_Tx]

Sounds like a job for Mark (Above the Law) or Scotty! I bet they've got it all figgered out already!

[porkchop]

I did this to a QT but have no idea how a 229 works, sorry.

[Dive 30]

PC, I just had my 229 down. there is a vacuum motor just like the QT (put vacuum to one side, goes one way, put vacuum to other side, goes other way). I have seen a guy do an air piston to replace this, can you do the same with a cable?

Also, I know I'm going to sound stupid for this, but I thought with my Selec-Trac NP 229 I would have a vacuum operated front axle. Mine has Warn manual hubs. I thought this was on the NP 208s. Or do I have it backwards? Yes, it is a 229 I scraped the 1/4 of sludge off of the label to make sure, and no, there are no signs of the front axle ever having vacuum stuff. I know its probably a stupid question, but I was confused.

[okidoc]

Back when this page was young (to me anyway) I asked this same question,

PO swapped from auto to locking as this would 1) reduce friction and improve mileage and 2) reduce wear on the front axle. I have the an 87 exact same setup as you. My axle does not any signs of vacuum either.

As far as cable goes. I think I have it figured out. Napa has some heavier duty than choke cables that look just right for the job. A little fab on the bracketry, gut the vacuum switch run the handle through the stock location and there you go.

I'm planing on doing this when I get all my honey do's done.

[Dive 30]

I was thinking about this. Do they have the cable retainer? My biggest concern would be the cable slipping. It doesn't take much to manually actuate the lever. I was actually thinking you could leave the vacuum alone as it does not provide much resistance and it has that nice eyelet that would be sooo easy to attach to. If you extended the lever on the 4WD switch you could even use it. Might be easier to put a lever somewhere though.

I guess I'll have to do some research.

[Snakeyes_Tx]

Dive30, the Vaccum Disconnect Dana 44 was discontinued after 1984, so your 85 would have the constant locked axle, with that little flange that always had the shafts engaged to the hubs. Since there are locking hubs on there, they did it so the front driveshaft wouldn't spin. It wasn't being driven by the transfer-case anyway, so whoever put those hubs on wasted about 60 bucks for nothing.

[Dive 30]

Snake: After reading the tech section on this I have another question. Can I switch my hubs to lock for the winter and enjoy the benefits of shift-on-the-fly 4WD? What problems will I cause doing this? Will this cause additional/excessive wear on the front axle/driveshaft/double cardan (CV)?

[Snakeyes_Tx]

If you locked them hubs, basically you're just back to stock, the shaft is engaged to the hub again. That way you can shift on the fly just like before.

I don't think if would cause wear for one reason, it isn't being DRIVEN on, there isn't torque against it, it's just spinning freely because the shafts are engaged to the differential and hub. There's a little push obviously, but no grind from torque transfer because the T-case isn't driving the front output in 2WD mode. Think of it as keeping everything lubed and greased while rolling! smile.gif