New Jeep

[Bobbo]

I just brought my new wag home! It's and 83 grand wagoneer limited. I was wondering what transfer case I have and if its a good setup for a daily driver/light off-road use. Or if there are any easy swaps if this is a bad deal. I know it has a 360 engine with a TF727. Now the trans doesnt move at all when goin in gear forward or reverse. So I assume I will need to pull the trans and rebuild it, or fix it somehow. The transfer case is selected by the under dash mounted vacume switch with the low/high lever under the seat. What case is this ? Is it okay? I have a TH400 that works great, will this trans bolt it? Like I said, this will be a daily driver, so it just needs to be reliable, any opinions/tech answers will be very helpfull. Thank You !!!!

[Bobbo]

Oh and it doesnt have lockouts if that is pertinant.

[billyj7175]

It should have the np229 transfercase in it. It is considered a part time case, meaning that you are not in 4wd until you select it on the lever under the dash. The 4-low can be selected (after selecting 4X4 under dash), by the lever under the drivers seat.
The good thing about this case is that when you are in 4hi, you can drive on dry pavement, as their is a viscous coupler (acts like a full-time transfercase) in the transfercase. This is a great asset on snowy/patch-ice road conditions.
The bad thing about this transfercase is that the actuation to engage the 4X4 is vacuum operated. In the event that the front axle disconnect (also vacuum operated) fails to connect, it will grenade the viscous coupler, which can be a rather expensive thing to replace. For light offroad stuff this transfercase should be fine. The cheaper route, would be to replace the transfercase with a jeep np208, which is a direct bolt in, with the exception that you will need to have the rear driveshaft lengthened, or install the rear driveshaft from the donor vehicle. Keep in mind, that with the np208, you will lose the "full-time" option, that the np229 provides.
The real experts will chime in about the transmission question, and to fill in any holes I left. 8^)

[Buggzz]

As to the trans, check the easy stuff first. Check Fluid/filter.
And there is a chance that the Xfer case is in Nuetral. Can the Wag roll when the trans is in park?

There also is an adjustment or two for (I think) the Reverse band and 2nd gear band. I found these adjustments in the Haynes Manual. May not apply. But thought I would try to help.

[joe]

It's the 229 full-time/part-time Selectrac tcase but also with a vacuum actuated front axle. It is NOT shift on the fly as the 85+ 229's because of the front axle, hence the two handed dash switch to make sure you stop before shifting from 2WD to 4WD.
Before you go ripping into the tranny make sure the tcase isn't in neutral which is between H/L on the floor shifter.

[Joe Guilbeau]

Look at the front axle, there should be a Vacuum shift motor with three vacuum lines on the drivers side front axle.

This is the Vacuum shift motor that when in 2-Wheel Drive operation pulls a coupler to disengage the collar from the rotational torque from the differential. The right side axle on the front Dana 44 will always be engaged.

When the vehicle is placed in 4-Wheel drive from a standstill (ensure that the vehicle is not moving) the Vacuum shift motor is operated via the switch under the dash (2WD-4WD) by pulling down on the safety detent (thus ensuring that both hands are required and the vehicle is stationary) which applies vacuum first to the Front Axle Vacuum shift motot. When activated, the vacuum shift motor moves a collar to engage the left front Dana 44 axle...this is why it is necessary to come to a complete stop, engagement of the collar over rotating splines will tend to eat away the engagement mechanicisms.

One the vacuum syste puts the collar over the front axle, then the Vacuum is routed to the New Process 229 Transfer Case, and the Viscous Coupler is engaged so that rotational torque is applied (or the attempt is made to apply) equally to front and rear driveshafts.

When the vehicle is placed in 4-Wheel Lo, by again bringing the vehicle to about 1 MPH in Neutral, with a quick and firm jerk (on a properly adjusted system) it will engage the gears in the Transfer Case and bypass the Viscous Coupler.

Caution is required here, if there is grinding when attempting to engage 4-Wheel low, then you might try to kill the engine, and give the lever below the seat a quick and firm jerk to place the transfer case in 4-Wheel lo. Then restart the engine and ensure that the Transfer case is not in Neutral..if she is your Mode Rod and Link adjustments are out of whack, and need to be calibrated...or there may be a more serious problem.

The NP229 is not a "Hard Core" Transfer case by any means, but if you don't mind driving around objects, rather than thru them, it will take you most places that these Full Size rigs can go, afterall, it is pretty difficult to look over the hood for the right line in tight situations...better leave that to the shorter wheel base CJ-'ers.

All in all a great case for a full size Grand Wagoneer, with leather, electric seats etc...always wondered why the most option clad Wagoneers were called "Limited".

[SBJeep]

Bobbo - Does the transmission have enough fluid? Also, if it hasn't been driven in a while, it make take a little bit to get the fluid pressure back up. With mine, I put it in gear and lightly push the gas and within a few seconds, all is good again. I assume this is normal for a chrysler trans as I had a 904 that did this, too.

[Bobbo]

Well, all thanks for the info! I know the trans if full of fluid. I know the jeep will NOT roll when in park. But I can't seem to move the high/low range lever. (I assume the linkage needs some adj.) The PO said that he ran the trans out of fluid, and ran it till it quit, towed it home fixed line, and filled with fluid. Still no move so he sold it. I tried to rev on it with trans in gear, but nothing after a couple mins. I have not had it in the garage yet, that is why I am not even sure what I have. Tonight it goes in the garage to melt off the snow then I will start checking more stuff.

I still wonder if the TH400 that I have in my rolled 79 wag with QT will bolt up to this NP229 or would it bolt up to a NP208? That would be sweet! Cause this TH400 is still in great shape so it would be sweet if I could use it and not break the bank.

As I said before this is going to be my daily driver, so it will stay mostly stock. My 79 Cherokee is my trail rig in the making.

Thanks again guys, your the best!

[Bobbo]

Bump ! Need Help!

[Bobbo]

From what I can find the TH400 will not bolt up to my t-case, by chance is there a np 208 that will bolt up to my th400 that was make for a Qt? I am guessing I am stuck with the 727.

[joe]

No the th400 isn't going to bolt up easily. If it is the trans that's shot it'd be cheaper to rebuild it than start swapping/adapting stuff. Member gsmike should just about have his tf727 rebuild video out. The one he made for the th400 is excellent.

[Bobbo]

Thats what I thought. Well thanks for the help guys!

[79_Limited]

It's the 229 full-time/part-time Selectrac tcase but also with a vacuum actuated front axle. It is NOT shift on the fly as the 85+ 229's because of the front axle, hence the two handed dash switch to make sure you stop before shifting from 2WD to 4WD.
Before you go ripping into the tranny make sure the tcase isn't in neutral which is between H/L on the floor shifter.
Yeah check the floor shifter. I did the same thing on my QT and I KNOW it was not the tranny or transfer case they they were both just rebuilt.