Lifting and modifying the YJ...

[pdw]

THESE are the tricks and tips that are SO helpful!

I just want to get the YJ back on it's tires and will probably look into this in the future.

Wah! Wah! Wah! Get that thing re-geared, buy a set of doors and go wheeling!


Old Fart's suggestion for the F-250 shock towers are a good alternative for the front end. Currie and M.O.R.E. also make a nice set that are priced nicely.
But the Currie and Ford items are weld-in while you can get away with bolting in the M.O.R.E stuff. I welded mine.....

[Old Fart]

I still need to deal with my rear shock mounts - probably weld up something similar to the MORE mounts. Of course, that means wiring the garage for 220, which means crawling under the house, which....

[dirtman13]

Here's a link if you don't have a welder or are on a budget. I got my towers for about $17ea at the local Ford dealer. Welding is the best way to go but not required.
http://www.in2jeep.com/fordshockmt.htm

[pdw]

Here's a link if you don't have a welder or are on a budget. I got my towers for about $17ea at the local Ford dealer. Welding is the best way to go but not required.
http://www.in2jeep.com/fordshockmt.htm

Only $17?!?!??!?!?!?!?! IF only I had known!

[Old Fart]

Why I went that way - I'm a cheap SOB

(Caught the engine compartment on fire welding them - but that's another story)

[USMC 0369]

EEEEEK!

after I removed the transfer case to put on the P.O.R.C. SYE kit...I noticed a spiderweb if tiny fissures in the aluminum case. I'll have pictures later tonight but is this normal? Some of the other guys at the shop said it's probably casting marks...but I dunno.

Oh... and I got my Currie goodies a few days ago. I'll say this, they are FAST with shipping and helpful customer service. Best prices on stuff I needed too! So now I'm on a bit of a 'Currie Kick'.

Okay, gotta get to the shop to do some work.

Post later.

================================================== ==========================

Okay, after going into the shop today, I got these pictures of the 231's case. PLEASE tell me this is nothing to worry about. To me it looks like bunch of stress fractures or something.

[CENTER][SIZED]http://images34.fotki.com/v1075/photos/9/9459/4116941/NP231003-vi.jpg[/SIZED][SIZED]http://images34.fotki.com/v1076/photos/9/9459/4116941/NP231004-vi.jpg[/SIZED][/CENTER]


So, I decided to continue along and take the ole girl apart and start working on it, and if I find out I need a new one later at least I won't have put any of the new parts into it yet.

First, I like to lay out all the parts to make sure it's all there, nothing is missing.

[CENTER][SIZED]http://images34.fotki.com/v1080/photos/9/9459/4116941/NP231006-vi.jpg[/SIZED][/CENTER]

Already done with step one, remove the TC from the Jeep...cleaned it a little, but not very well...sorry.

So, step two: Remove the front yoke retaining nut and yoke, make note of the position of the speedometer gear housing and remove. (my 'note' is a picture...can't get much better than that.) Shift the TC into 4low and remove the shift arm.

[CENTER][SIZED]http://images20.fotki.com/v383/photos/9/9459/4116941/NP231007-vi.jpg[/SIZED][SIZED]http://images32.fotki.com/v1044/photos/9/9459/4116941/NP231009-vi.jpg[/SIZED]

[SIZED]http://images32.fotki.com/v1059/photos/9/9459/4116941/NP231010-vi.jpg[/SIZED][SIZED]http://images31.fotki.com/v1054/photos/9/9459/4116941/NP231013-vi.jpg[/SIZED]

[SIZED]http://images34.fotki.com/v1080/photos/9/9459/4116941/NP231012-vi.jpg[/SIZED][/CENTER]

Steps three and four: Remove the tail shaft dust cover, retaining snap ring and tail shaft housing.

[CENTER][SIZED]http://images33.fotki.com/v1072/photos/9/9459/4116941/NP231014-vi.jpg[/SIZED][/CENTER]

And this is as far as I got...because the damn snap ring kicked my a$$ for about 45 minutes before I said "there has GOT to be an easier way!!!!" Went to the tool room and asked for a pair of "big mother forking snap ring pliers..."

[CENTER][SIZED]http://images31.fotki.com/v1043/photos/9/9459/4116941/NP231015-vi.jpg[/SIZED][/CENTER]

I should have thought of that earlier. I'm sooo stupid!

[pdw]

I have NEVER seen anything like that before!!!!!! It looks like the casting could shatter at any moment. You should be able to find an NV231 pretty easy.....Either that or order a Teraflex 4:1 upgrade or see if you can find a Rubicon t-case in the junk yard.....I would offer you my old t-case half, but I threw it away about two years ago....Sorry.

EEEEEK!

after I removed the transfer case to put on the P.O.R.C. SYE kit...I noticed a spiderweb if tiny fissures in the aluminum case. I'll have pictures later tonight but is this normal? Some of the other guys at the shop said it's probably casting marks...but I dunno.

Oh... and I got my Currie goodies a few days ago. I'll say this, they are FAST with shipping and helpful customer service. Best prices on stuff I needed too! So now I'm on a bit of a 'Currie Kick'.

Okay, gotta get to the shop to do some work.

Post later.

================================================== ==========================

Okay, after going into the shop today, I got these pictures of the 231's case. PLEASE tell me this is nothing to worry about. To me it looks like bunch of stress fractures or something.

[CENTER][SIZED]http://images34.fotki.com/v1075/photos/9/9459/4116941/NP231003-vi.jpg[/SIZED][SIZED]http://images34.fotki.com/v1076/photos/9/9459/4116941/NP231004-vi.jpg[/SIZED][/CENTER]


So, I decided to continue along and take the ole girl apart and start working on it, and if I find out I need a new one later at least I won't have put any of the new parts into it yet.

First, I like to lay out all the parts to make sure it's all there, nothing is missing.

[CENTER][SIZED]http://images34.fotki.com/v1080/photos/9/9459/4116941/NP231006-vi.jpg[/SIZED][/CENTER]

Already done with step one, remove the TC from the Jeep...cleaned it a little, but not very well...sorry.

So, step two: Remove the front yoke retaining nut and yoke, make note of the position of the speedometer gear housing and remove. (my 'note' is a picture...can't get much better than that.) Shift the TC into 4low and remove the shift arm.

[CENTER][SIZED]http://images20.fotki.com/v383/photos/9/9459/4116941/NP231007-vi.jpg[/SIZED][SIZED]http://images32.fotki.com/v1044/photos/9/9459/4116941/NP231009-vi.jpg[/SIZED]

[SIZED]http://images32.fotki.com/v1059/photos/9/9459/4116941/NP231010-vi.jpg[/SIZED][SIZED]http://images31.fotki.com/v1054/photos/9/9459/4116941/NP231013-vi.jpg[/SIZED]

[SIZED]http://images34.fotki.com/v1080/photos/9/9459/4116941/NP231012-vi.jpg[/SIZED][/CENTER]

Steps three and four: Remove the tail shaft dust cover, retaining snap ring and tail shaft housing.

[CENTER][SIZED]http://images33.fotki.com/v1072/photos/9/9459/4116941/NP231014-vi.jpg[/SIZED][/CENTER]

And this is as far as I got...because the damn snap ring kicked my a$$ for about 45 minutes before I said "there has GOT to be an easier way!!!!" Went to the tool room and asked for a pair of "big mother forking snap ring pliers..."

[CENTER][SIZED]http://images31.fotki.com/v1043/photos/9/9459/4116941/NP231015-vi.jpg[/SIZED][/CENTER]

I should have thought of that earlier. I'm sooo stupid!

[USMC 0369]

Well, the old man at the shop told me to continue and see what it looks like from the inside. He kinda had to scratch his head for a moment first.

To be on the safe side, I'm gonna go to the junkyard right after christmas to see what they've got. Are ALL NP231's the same? If I get one out of...a cherokee; will it be the same?

My I.D. plate says 231 J. Most pictures I've seen say the same thing.

[pdw]

That sounds like a common sense way to approach the t-case replacement--just dont take home a right hand drop!

P.S. look for the "holy grail" and see if by chance you find a Rubicon t-case-NP 241OR Rock Trac
Here's lots of info:
http://www.4x4review.com/tech/tCase-...de/default.asp

Well, the old man at the shop told me to continue and see what it looks like from the inside. He kinda had to scratch his head for a moment first.

To be on the safe side, I'm gonna go to the junkyard right after christmas to see what they've got. Are ALL NP231's the same? If I get one out of...a cherokee; will it be the same?

My I.D. plate says 231 J. Most pictures I've seen say the same thing.

[USMC 0369]

Giggle if you want to...

I fricked up the install of the SYE...my t-case only has 4wd now. Not even sure how I did it. I'll be tearing it apart tomorrow and dealing with that.

[Old Fart]

Before you pull it apart - disconnect the linkage to the shifter, cycle the rod manually. A _lot_ easier to solve shifter problems than pull the transfer case apart.

[USMC 0369]

Before you pull it apart - disconnect the linkage to the shifter, cycle the rod manually. A _lot_ easier to solve shifter problems than pull the transfer case apart.

what if...um... I already pulled it apart, put in the new mainshaft... and noticed this problem after I put it back together? How screwed am I? I'm thinking of asking Ron (Davisrats) to come over for some beers.

edit: PARTIALLY put it back together. it won't go fully back together. it's something to do with the range fork (or whatever you call it).

[mrthieba]

You'll be an expert when you're done! But I'm feeling your pain now. Mat

[Old Fart]

what if...um... I already pulled it apart, put in the new mainshaft... and noticed this problem after I put it back together? How screwed am I? I'm thinking of asking Ron (Davisrats) to come over for some beers.

edit: PARTIALLY put it back together. it won't go fully back together. it's something to do with the range fork (or whatever you call it).

Pull the shifter plate loose, try cycling the rod through it's positions manually. It's something every NP231 owner should know how to do anyway - it's fairly easy (and common) to mess up the linkage wheeling (especially the way they did it on the TJ's)

[USMC 0369]

Pull the shifter plate loose, try cycling the rod through it's positions manually. It's something every NP231 owner should know how to do anyway - it's fairly easy (and common) to mess up the linkage wheeling (especially the way they did it on the TJ's)

Okay, I'll do this...and I'll get the results up on the board here. I wasn't aware that the linkage got messed up that often!? So this is something I need to study for trail repairs?