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Hey Mike
Good to hear some progress is being achieved on your t-case problem. I am
not sure if you are running an auto or manual tranny, but a 23 spline 231
should work if you are running a manual. Chances are that the manual is
either an AX15 or a NV3550, which are common in most 6 cylinder (4.0L)
Jeeps. I'm not sure about autos, but I think they run 21 splines (just a
hunch). A NV242 is a full time 4WD transfer case with a option for part
time. In terms of strength, the 242 comes out slightly ahead, but not by
much. If you intend to offroad, I wouldn't use either transfer case. Both
cases just aren't beefy enough (from experience) to have behind a V8 (or a 4
banger in my case). But then again there are many variables and precautions
you can take to prevent this (aka don't hammer the skinny pedal). I think
all 231s should be the same, aside from the 231HD (heavier duty internals,
which comes underneath Jeep Rubicons). What I would do (as you mentioned)
is get the cheapest case and swap your input shaft to the new case if the
one that comes with it is not compatible. Just make sure that you (or your
buddy that has the shop) has a good bearing press, or a bearing splitter and
a 2-arm puller (this is called doing it the hard way). Should you need a
hand or more info (or need to use my press) give me a shout. Good luck!
Russ
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Maskalans" <dml@tepidcola.com>
To: <dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net>
Sent: Monday, December 29, 2003 12:42 AM
Subject: DML: victory!
>
> questions at the end, as usual....
>
> got the 'case out about an hour ago. it's just as broken as it was
> when it was under the truck. got a bunch more pictures but they don't
> show much new.
>
> had to get the topmost bolt from the top - pulled the center 'thing'
> apart and went through the hole where a stickshift belongs. I thought
> I could get at it by going in from the right, underneath, so I pulled
> the exhaust (had to borrow an angle grinder to take care of the quick
> bead Jon laid for me after my exhaust wouldn't stay hooked up, since I
> left mine in Rochester and the 'rents don't have one), but couldn't
> turn the ratchet once I got it on.....
>
> pulled the seats to make working up there easier, and to get a head
> start on my center console. that was the simplest big thing I've done
> during this project yet =)
>
> while I was burning some time on the phone, I also found the cause of
> the damage - there is a ball and socket arrangement in the center of
> the double joint to keep their motions in synch and in line. a piece
> of the socket broke off and seems to be wedged inside, occasionally
> jamming the motion of the joint. Not A Good Thing, but now I *know*
> what happened.
>
> so tomorrow I can parts-chase for either a new joint to get welded on
> and balanced or a junkyard driveshaft (good idea? non-lubable and
> all...), and hopefully get a replacement transfer case in process.
> I've got the $400 rebuilt case in Cedar Rapids, and I just found a $150
> 242 in Mass, but I don't have any details at all on that one yet, and I
> also just found out a buddy of mine just opened a shop here and
> probably has all sorts of possible avenues for parts....
>
> I did get a few pictures up. the removed case, the extra cracking in
> the castings that didn't actually break, the hole in the floor, the
> missing seats, my messy garage now with seats, and one interesting one
> - there seems to have been some leaking of gear lube and external
> contamination in the area between the transmission and the transfer
> case; you can see the buildup in the picture of the mounting flange of
> the transfer case (1280).
>
> the $150 242 is out of a Jeep of some sort (belongs to a friend of a
> guy on pirate4x4) - I know someone here (neil?) said that a 4L jeep's
> case is /probably/ right and a 4 cyl's is /probably wrong, but if the
> spline count is wrong, would it be possible to just swap the input and
> slip yoke parts from my broken case (assuming they're in good shape)?
> who might know what parts are shared between a 231 and a 242? I
> suppose any SCORE folks who work for NVG would have a chance. any
> other ideas? Any ideas who would know for sure if a 231 out of a '90
> Dakota is the same as a '98 231?
>
> in summation, I'm tired and going to bed.
> --
> Mike Maskalans <http://mike.tepidcola.com/dodge/>
> '98 Dakota CC 0x4 318 '84 RamCharger 4x4 360
> mobile.612.618.4652 campus.585.274.2246 fax.360.364.3930
>
>
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