Transfer Case Identification

[LostWolf]

How do I identify which transfer case I have in my wagon? And when I go to the salvage yard to look for a replacement (cracked mine) how do I identify that one?

[scotty]

all right,what year is it? since you cracked it,well assume itsan 80 or laternew process case.more over,id say its probably a 229-the biggest POS transfer case ever made. there should be a tag on the rear,between the drian and fill plugs. if this is gone,the shift pattern will tell you. 4wd/2wd switch on the dash=np 229. plastic flag with hi loc/full time hi/neutral/low range=np 219. plastic flag with 2wd/4wd hi/neutral/4wd low= np 208.

as far as replaceablity,all new process cases share the circular bolt pattern,and for the most part a 23 spline input. the 207 and 231 used in yj wranglers and xj cherokees may have a 21 spline inuput when used behind some light duty manual trannies.

basically this means that you can replace your case with just about any new process/new venture gear case made,just double check spline counts before handing over non-refundable cash for a used case. some are more or less boltins,some require some driveshaft/shifter mods.

the 219,228,and 229 are all the same length as the 229 and will use same driveshafts and hook to the plastic flag shifter if you use the matching linkage. the 208 will require a longer rear driveshaft,but use stock front.

dont mess with a 207.a 231 can be beefed up considerably with doddge gears and chain,and stronger planetaries are available in stock low range up to 4 to 1. you can also get a 2wd low range shift selelctor and a fixed yoke.youll need differernt driveshafts and a different shifter(not a bad thing,imo-plastic flag is kinda cheesy)

anyway hope this helps.give us some more specifics if you cant figure it out.



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scott
85 grand wagoneer
258/904/twin stick dana 300/dana 44/amc 20
38x15.5 gumbo mudders
snorkel/dual batteries/onboard air/"custom" convertable
3 inch body lift/mostly stock suspension/"modified" fender openings
custom front/rear bumpers and brushgaurd

[LostWolf]

It's an 87 Grand Wagoneer. I figured the it was a NP229 from all the reading that I have done on it however I wasn't sure how to identify it if I crawled under it to find out for sure. Your informaion was very helpful and I well be crawling under it tomorrow night to start taking the cracked t-case off.

Thanks for the help.



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LostWolf
87GW "SuperWagon"
TybowKites@hotmail.com
www.geocities.com/yosemite/gorge/1372

[BobBarry]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by scotty:
all right,what year is it? since you cracked it,well assume itsan 80 or laternew process case.more over,id say its probably a 229-the biggest POS transfer case ever made.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

C'mon, Scotty, what do you REALLY think about the NP229? http://www.cs.colostate.edu/~zeimet/ubb/wink.gif

I'd argue that the NP229 (properly maintained and lubricated!) serves as a great transfer-case for a truck that is primarily street-driven, but that occasionally will see a fire-road when driving through a forest. Yeah, I know that mine only has 175,000 miles on it, so I shouldn't talk yet...

Of course, if you drive like Scotty, it probably wouldn't last past the first 3'-deep mud-pit! (nor would anything, short of a D300 or NP205) http://www.cs.colostate.edu/~zeimet/ubb/wink.gif

[scotty]

yeeeeaaah,i will admit that a 229 thats not cracked and working properly is an awsome case for inclimate weather street use-the full time 4wd makes it easy-no need to worry if the road is sliipery enough to use 4wd and not worry about binding/breakge. its just that ive seen and read soooo much bad stuff about the 229. ive got one downstairs thats cracked.my friend is on his 3rd in an xj chero. i read on alot of forums about various troubles-from cracked cases to simple stuff like the shift motor not working.

in all fairness,probably alot of the more serious problems are from neglect(not ever changing/checking fluid) or general abuse(3 foot deep mudholes).

my biggest complaint about one for off road use,besides the case halves cracking apart,is the in ability to limp home on the front driveshaft. ive had to do it a couple times,the most recent being last weekend. aparantly the crosshaft slid out of the diff,broke inhalf,and let the spider ggears fall out.needless to say,no more drive to the rear wheels. i put her in 4hi ad drove home-something you cannot do with a 229 or 228. you could limp to the road in 4lo,but youll eed a trailer when you get there. i thought id broken an axle-imagne my surprise when i popped off the cover and spider gears fell out! http://www.cs.colostate.edu/~zeimet/ubb/eek.gif the jeep gods must have been looking out for me-i cant believe i drove 30 miles without the ring gear catching on somethng and grenading the whole thing!

i never attempted to wheel a 229(learned from others mishaps) i did use a 219 until the chain started slipping,and used a 207 until it started popping out of 4 lo in reverse. i actually installed a 208,but didnt really use it since it wouldnt shift easily(or at all sometimes)i took it backto the guy and went right from his house to pick up the dana 300. so far it has been well eorth having toswap the front end.



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scott
85 grand wagoneer
258/904/twin stick dana 300/dana 44/amc 20
38x15.5 gumbo mudders
snorkel/dual batteries/onboard air/"custom" convertable
3 inch body lift/mostly stock suspension/"modified" fender openings
custom front/rear bumpers and brushgaurd

[LostWolf]

Well I crawled under neith the Super Wagon last night to see for sure which Transfer Case I had.

229AM
8orS 9530 04882
12 18 862
261

These were all the numbers that were on it. 229 AM is the T-case type. I am assuming that the second number is the model number. I have no clue on the third number. And the forth number is the gear ratio. Correct me if I am wrong on any of this because I am just guessing.

Thanks for all the help so far.

I am curious about the negativity towards the NP 229. I'm to new to the FSJ world to know myself but from what I have read they seem pretty popular. My 87 GW is mainly a daily driver. I will be using it on some fire trails come hunting season or for camping, climbing etc. to get to the sweet spots in life, but nothing I would consider to technical.



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LostWolf
87GW "SuperWagon"
TybowKites@hotmail.com
www.geocities.com/yosemite/gorge/1372