NP219 vs. NP229

[kong]

Hey all,

My TF727 bit the dust. It's time for a new one. I have it all lined up, but the guy wants to sell it with the t-case. It is out of an '88 wag (so NP229). Right now I'm running NP219.
As far as I can tell the only advantage to the 229 is 2wd, and that doesn't really translate into anything (aka fuel economy). My NP219 does have a 4Hi Locked setting, which the 229 doesn't have (not too sure about this info).
I don't know about comparing the two's off-road-ablility, 'cause I've only driven the 219. Which is better?

TIA,
Kong

[ecjammer]

I don't know too much about the 219, but the 229 is vacuumed actuated, with 4hi and 4lo. with the selector in 2wd, you only have 2hi. The 229 is still concidered a full time transfer case (that's what the book told me) and the viscous assembly,(it's like a clutch pack) isn't very strong. The snap ring can break, blowing out your assembly. I ran mine in 2wd for 3 months. I tore it down (229), and if I would have went into 4wd, I would have been sol.

[porchpiggy]

The 229 does not lock in 4 high just like you are thinking, which is a disadvantage if you are trying to "limp" home on the front driveline after breaking something in the back. It can be done in 4low, but that makes for a long slow tedious drive. The 229 has a limited slip type viscosious coupling in 4high that works pretty good for winter snow/ice type driving. I don't really think one is that big of an advantage over the other, which ever one you use save the other for when it breaks. :D

[kong]

So the NP219 also has a viscous coupling, right?
And it is the viscous coupling that gives limited slip?
Just want to make sure I'm on the up and up.

Kong

[porchpiggy]

No i don't think so - some one check me if I'm wrong, but I think the 219 is an "open" type diff, like the np203.

[FSJeeper]

They both suck. Go with a NP208. 727's are very cheap to rebuild, why get tied in buying a combo 727/NP229. Better to go NP 208.

[Paul]

FSJeeper--someone this weekend told me the same thing. What are the advantages of a 208? Can you get a lower gear set for this case?

[kong]

Yeah,
what makes the NP208 better? Need more info!
How much to rebuild a tranny?

Kong

[ November 12, 2002, 10:37 AM: Message edited by: kong ]

[Lindel]

The primary differences in the NP219, and the NP229 is that the 219 is a full time case, with no provision for 2wd, and can be locked in 4hi, with 4lo always being locked. The 229 is a full-time/part-time case, with a provision for 2wd, and 4lo is always locked, 4hi is limited slip.

NP208 is a part-time only case. All 3 are chain driven with a driver's side front output, and centered rear output. The lo range on all 3 is the same.

As far as a tranny rebuild, mine (TF727) was around $1000, or so, but this was in Dallas, so YMMV.

[kong]

Lindel,

I've always appreciated your comments. Without your help, my jeep would've never run in the first place. How would you rate these t-cases. Especially the 219 vs. 229?

Thanks,
Kong

[Lindel]

Keep in mind that the only NP case I've ever dealt with personnaly is the NP229, but IMO both are good cases.

That said, if you spit out a driveshaft, you can lock the 219 in 4hi, remove the offending member, and go home, none the worse. The 229 can only do this if it's the front that shells on you, because of the 2wd mode. If your rear driveshaft fails, then you have to limp home in 4lo, which makes for a very slow, very noisy trip, most of which will come from the passenger seat (assuming you have a significant other).

Both cases are very capable in the dirt and dust, both are good on slick roads, but the ability to lock the case in 4hi would be a winner with me, especially since I've made a 15 mile trip in 4lo with no rear shaft!! :D

[kong]

That's kinda what I was thinking, but wanted to hear it from you folks first. Thanks.

[ November 12, 2002, 11:42 AM: Message edited by: kong ]

[waggin'ear]

I like my 219, but can't directly compare to the 229.

Compared to a case like the 208, full time four-wheel drive has been great in the weather when I've gone to the mountains and the occasional ice storms around here (I ain't no hardcore wheeler though). No getting out to lock/unlock the hubs when the conditions are variable (some ice/snow/dry pavement). I just keep on driving through and don't worry about it.

It's also nice not to have any vacuum stuff to worry about just a simple lever

chain wear/stretch is obviously a concern, but my wag has 172K and seems to be doing fine

[scotty]

full time 4x can be handy if your rig sees lots of street duty and little off road use,especially if your wife or mother is the one driving it smile.gif since you dont have to teach them when to shift into and out of 4wd. just put in full time 4x at the beginning of winter and leave it there till spring :D

the 229 is not a bad case for a street driven rig,if properly maintained,but wont hold up well to off road abuse. the 219 has the very same viscuous center diff as the 229,but for some reason the 219 holds up considerably better than the 229,wich is prone to breaking case halves,and breaking some the internal parts.

the 228 is just like the 229,but with an open center diff instead of the V/C.i prolly wouldnt want to run one of them either.

i personally would ratehr run the 219. for the simple fact that it does have a high lock. and it has a simpler,single lever shifter,no funky vaccum thingamabob for 2wd/4wd. i ran a 219 for a very long time,and it held very well for me. i finally retired it when the chain started slipping.

i have heard of people modifying the 229 for a 2wd low,but i still wouldnt run one.

the 208 is the best choice for a dedicated trail rig,or a rig that will be heavily abused on or off road.

the 219 and 229 are externally the same,so you can directly replace one with the other. with the addition(or deletion) of the vaccum switch for 2wd/4wd.

[ November 12, 2002, 12:41 PM: Message edited by: scotty ]

[kong]

can the 4lo gearing be changed in any of these t-cases? Gearing down is also a factor in my choices.... if it's an option.
This is a lot of good info!

Kong

[ November 12, 2002, 06:06 PM: Message edited by: kong ]

[Bob Barry]

You can't change the low-range ratio in these cases without fundamentally re-engineering the whole thing.

Really the only difference is that the 4Hi-Lock mode of the NP219 is exchanged for a 2wd mode on the NP229. I love my NP229 for street driving and mild off-roading.

[scotty]

you cannot lower the low range on the 229,219,or 208,but you can put a Klune V crawler box between any of them and the transmission smile.gif really cool option cause it will let you choose between stock low,Klune V low,or absurdly low if you put both in low at once :D

you can even use the klune v as an adapter. if you are really plannig on using low crawl ratios on the rocks,you can get a klune v with a 23 spline in(to fit the tranny) and a 31 spline out,and bolt on a ford 205. you can even keep your driver side diff.
oly real prollem with that setup is the cost-at around $1700 :eek:

[ November 12, 2002, 10:54 PM: Message edited by: scotty ]