Transfer Case Blues

1469 Views 9 Replies 4 Participants Last post by crazyguy, Nov 3, 2001

KoiPhish

Discussion Starter · Nov 2, 2001

To start off, I have a 1986 Jeep Cherokee Laredo 4x4 with a V6 and Automatic Trans.

The transmission had to be rebuilt a few months ago and 3 days after I got it out of the shop.. the transfer case went out.

The same transmission shop quoted me $500 to replace it with a used one. They ordered it and it was the wrong one. They said it was a hard to find transfer case and that they had to order it from out of state and have it rebuilt.

So I agreed and now the price was $1080. When it arrived from out of state 3 weeks later (sucky rush job eh?) it didnt fit either.

So I told them to stuff it up their ass and to give me back my initial deposit of $500.

When I called the other day they told me that the reason it could be messed up is because the front drive shaft was missing. Its been off for 2 years since the rear gears went out and I opted to not change the front ones at that time.

Im wondering if they are full of crap or could that really be the problem.

Also.. how the hell do you get the wrong transfer case twice?

If im correct.. there are only two possible transfer cases for an 1986 Cherokee 4x4.. the NP207 and the NP231.

The NP231 was mostly used for the big boys with the V8's that year so im going to take a guess and say its a NP207 transfer case.

Does anyone know why these guys are having such a hard time with this transfer case and when i take it to another shop, what should I do to make sure this doesnt happen again?

Thanks,
Jason aka KoiPhish

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lars

· #2 · Nov 2, 2001

Originally posted by KoiPhish:
When I called the other day they told me that the reason it could be messed up is because the front drive shaft was missing. Its been off for 2 years since the rear gears went out and I opted to not change the front ones at that time.

I'd have trouble believing that one.

Also.. how the hell do you get the wrong transfer case twice?

If im correct.. there are only two possible transfer cases for an 1986 Cherokee 4x4.. the NP207 and the NP231.

The NP231 was mostly used for the big boys with the V8's that year so im going to take a guess and say its a NP207 transfer case.

AFAIK, the NP207 was used on all Jeeps from '84-'87 and then discontinued. I don't think it was engine-related. BTW, the Cherokee XJs never came with V8s.

It's possible the reason they're having difficulties is because they can't find a tcase with the proper spline count to mate to your transmission. It came with 21- and 23-spline versions, just like the NP231 so perhaps they keep ordering the wrong one. The 23-spline came with auto trannies, the 21 came with manuals. In comparison, the NP231 came with 23-splines with the AX15 transmission and auto tranny, and with 21-splines with the AX5 and BA10/5. Personally, I'd get them to bolt an NP231 in there instead, since it is more easily available and AFAIK, should bolt right up. Can anyone verify that the two cases are bolt-in swaps?

Whether it's an NP231 or NP207, tell them that they need to get one with a 23-spline input shaft because, according to the specs, that's what yours should have.

...lars

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19911995409993004:144444.103512.58274

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ryeguy

· #3 · Nov 2, 2001

I *think* the 1986 XJ had two possible T-cases, one being the NP207, but the other wasn't an NP231. I forget what it was.

Don't go back to the shop. Go to a wrecker that knows the Jeeps (like Gary's), tell them what your Jeep is (year, engine, trans.) and pick up a good used one for less than your initial deposit (or at least, no more).

--Rob

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lars

· #4 · Nov 2, 2001

Originally posted by ryeguy:
I *think* the 1986 XJ had two possible T-cases, one being the NP207, but the other wasn't an NP231. I forget what it was.

Are you thinking of the NP242 selec-trac 'case? I'm not aware of any other 'cases they came with.

...lars

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19911995409993004:144444.103512.58274

[This message has been edited by lars (edited November 02, 2001).]

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crazyguy

· #5 · Nov 2, 2001

no its not the 242 but there is 2 choises, the 207 and somthing else. it has a fixed yoke on it with a slip shaft rear drive shaft. I dont see them in the wrecking yards to often up here but they do exist. they have a lever to shift into high or low plus I believe its a vacuum switch to shift between 2wd and 4wd, and thats in the transfer case, nothing to do with the front axle.

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-'85 XJ,2dr,4cyl,5spd,31x10.5's,2"lift,onboard air. hmmm, extra cab,short box XJ anyone?
-'82 J-10 Project truck, 258 straight 6, 5spd, 30x9.5's
"its not what you drive, or where you drive,
its driving what you have to where you want to go"

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lars

· #6 · Nov 2, 2001

Originally posted by crazyguy:
no its not the 242 but there is 2 choises, the 207 and somthing else. it has a fixed yoke on it with a slip shaft rear drive shaft.

Wow, that's a new one to me. I'd love to find out what it is.

...lars

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19911995409993004:144444.103512.58274

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lars

· #7 · Nov 2, 2001

Originally posted by lars:
Wow, that's a new one to me. I'd love to find out what it is.

I get to reply to my post:

Is this it?
"NP229 = Selec Trac full time transfer case used in 1985 - 1986 XJs"

Is it possible that the originator of this thread has this rarity? Not sure how it differs from the other tcases (re: bolt-in), though.

...lars

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19911995409993004:144444.103512.58274

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crazyguy

· #8 · Nov 2, 2001

yah the np229 selec-trac, it has controls for both high/low and 2/4wd so I dont know why it would be considered a full time case.

------------------
-'85 XJ,2dr,4cyl,5spd,31x10.5's,2"lift,onboard air. hmmm, extra cab,short box XJ anyone?
-'82 J-10 Project truck, 258 straight 6, 5spd, 30x9.5's
"its not what you drive, or where you drive,
its driving what you have to where you want to go"

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KoiPhish

Discussion Starter · #9 · Nov 3, 2001

Wow... My Chiltons manual doesnt even list that model transfer case.

I do have a switch in the middle console to switch from 2 wheel to 4 wheel drive and it has the low/neutral/high lever near the shifter. But it was the same on my 1988 cherokee too.

If they were trying to bolt on a 21 spline case would that cause it not to "fit" as they said?

And are these cases interchangable besides the 21 and 23 spline differences?

I read somewhere that ditching the NP207 for the NP231 was a good option but now this other transfer case option has me confused of the compatablity of installation.

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crazyguy

· #10 · Nov 3, 2001

yah you have the NP229 selec-trac. I dont know what there like for strength but they have a fixed rear yoke which the 207, 231, 232, or 242 dont, have meaning expensive upgrade.

------------------
-'85 XJ,2dr,4cyl,5spd,31x10.5's,2"lift,onboard air. hmmm, extra cab,short box XJ anyone?
-'82 J-10 Project truck, 258 straight 6, 5spd, 30x9.5's
"its not what you drive, or where you drive,
its driving what you have to where you want to go"

Save

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