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View Full Version : Dropped NP229 (literally). Now What?

Kimbrough
07-02-2001, 10:58 AM
Me and my new found freind Trickc dropped the 229 'case in my '88 GW. It would not shift into 4-low, no matter how hard I tugged on the shifter. I even tried to move the vacuum lever under the truck - no luck. Also, the tranny's slipping. Looked in the input shaft of the t-case and there were a lot of little pins (needle bearings) inside a metal ring. Some had been crushed, the metal ring was severely gouged and burned and a nice big chunk of metal was in there, too :eek:

Now I'm looking to swap in a 208 T-case - what should I look for? Should I replace the tranny, too? I do have a parts rig with a 727/229 combo that seems to shift fine (I can move the vacuum lever back and forth). I value ya'lls advice smile.gif
Thanks in advance!
shadowjeep
07-02-2001, 12:02 PM
the np208 would be a good replacement and upgrade. as for the tranny, check the fluid, you just may have front or rear seal leak. you might be able to save the tranny, or at least prolong its life till you can replace it or until you find a shop to rebuild it. if you replace it, keep the old one. you might find a shop that can do the job and if you are lucky it may cost less than buying another tranny.
jeepbob
07-02-2001, 02:22 PM
As you have a spare 727 and the one in there is slipping, change it out and then rebuild it so you will have a spare.
Spinner
07-02-2001, 07:13 PM
I guess you'll need to decide if you want a full-time four wheel drive rig (229) or a part-time rig (208). I just had a 208 swapped into my rig. I used to just leave my 229 in four-wheel all winter but now with the 208 I need to be careful to use the four wheel only in low traction situations since the front and rear drivelines are locked (like a 229 in low) while in four wheel. The 208 was out of a'83 Wag so we used the driveline as well. New driveline (208) is 31.5 inches vs. 26.5 inches for the old one (229). This is due to the extra "thickness" of the 229's viscous coupler. Flag lever bolted up just fine. I really like my 208 and it's about as bullet proof as a chain driven unit can be. smile.gif