broythomas Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 I'm still doing my 4x4 conversion and just put in my transmission and transfer case and rear driveshaft. My combo is 4.0, AX-15, NV242, Dana 44, 3 inch lift. My question is how much play should be at the slip joint at the back of the transfer case. I didn't pay much attention when I took out the 2wd. I'm pretty sure I'm fine but thought I'd double check. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 the yoke should be engaged all but an inch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 the yoke should be engaged all but an inch. like this... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broythomas Posted June 27, 2008 Author Share Posted June 27, 2008 mines about two thirds of that. Am I still okay? I do have 120 lbs of sandbagas at the tailgate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 mines about two thirds of that. Am I still okay? I do have 120 lbs of sandbagas at the tailgate. As long as it's not like this you shold be fine.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broythomas Posted June 27, 2008 Author Share Posted June 27, 2008 the gap is smaller than your first pic definitely not like the last one so I should be good. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 What driveshaft are you using? Custom or stock? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 the gap is smaller than your first pic definitely not like the last one so I should be good. Thanks No, you may NOT be good. You NEED some gap because the driveshaft is at an angle. When the suspension compresses, the angle flattens out and the distance between the tailshaft and the rear axle is reduced. You need enough clearance for the slip yoke to ... slip ... into the tailshaft to take up that change in distance. If you don't have enough gap to allow the axle to compress to the bump stops, you risk breaking things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 :agree: IMPORTANT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 I'm guessing the gap is smaller because of 120 pounds of sand against the tailgate. That does compress the suspension somewhat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broythomas Posted June 27, 2008 Author Share Posted June 27, 2008 I'm using a stock shaft from a 1991 4x4. Don't know what axle was in the donor truck. I haven't measured the gap but I will tonight. I'll take out the sand bags when I do it. What's your guess on the minimum needed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Do you know what engine/transmission was in the donor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 along those lines , what about the front shaft? i finally got 1 today, it seemed i had to jam it in and at sundown i only had time to go about 100' in front of house , but there seemed to be huge binding issues throughout drivetrain when engaged ( by me crawling under and engaging the shift lever) !!!????!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 Especially on dry pavement you will have binding issues when turning in 4WD. If you have binding issues going in a straight line, either your tires of different sizes on your axles, or more likely, different ratio front and rear axles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broythomas Posted June 28, 2008 Author Share Posted June 28, 2008 I believe the donor was a 4.0 but can't remember if it was an auto or manual. Probably a manual since I got the front axle for free and it has 3.07 gears. I know these suck but it matches the rear and I have a 3.73 for the later gear change and free is free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 The 4.0L/suto rear driveshaft is about 1 inch shorter than the manual (due to the auto trans being 1 inch longer than the manual trans). I put a np-242 into my 90 and the D-shaft is just a bit too long so I picked up an auto shaft to try. Haven't gotten around to it yet, but then I don't drive the truck so it's further down on the to-do list. :roll: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 I'm using a stock shaft from a 1991 4x4. Don't know what axle was in the donor truck. I haven't measured the gap but I will tonight. I'll take out the sand bags when I do it. What's your guess on the minimum needed? It would be more useful to add more weight, until you get the frame to sit on the bump stops. Then check to be sure there is still SOME clearance (don't need much, but enough to be sure the yoke isn't slammed into the tailshaft housing). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broythomas Posted June 29, 2008 Author Share Posted June 29, 2008 o.k. finally got under the truck with the sand bags out. Still have the canopy on it, but it can't weigh more than 60 lbs. I think I might have 1 ton springs (Junk yard find) since they have one more leaf than I originally had. I don't think I own enough stuff to put enough weight in the ben to bottom it out. I bounce on the rear bumper and it barely moves (I weigh 180). Anyway right now I have less than half an inch so I'm guessing that's not enough. Took a pic but not smart enough to put it in here.[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 To post a picture you have to first upload it to a place like photobucket.com. You then use the tag to link to it. Nice thing about photobucket is that it provides the link for you, and all you do is cut and paste it into your message. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broythomas Posted July 2, 2008 Author Share Posted July 2, 2008 I tried pete M's trick and got a driveshaft from a 1991 4.0 auto 4x4 and now have a 1.5 inch gap for the shaft to slide into the transfer case. That's enough isn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 What causes the problem? Is the 242 longer than the 231? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broythomas Posted July 2, 2008 Author Share Posted July 2, 2008 I don't have a 231 to measure (began with a 2wd) but it must be. Here's my drivetrain with years. 1992 2wd truck. 1992 4.0, 1994 ax-15, 1989 nv242, and 1992 dana 44 rear end. Maybe the d44 is a little longer than the usual d35. Also don't have one of these to measure. I do have a 3 inch lift (mines 4 inch since it began as a 2wd). I'll measure my 242 and dana 44 tonight and post the measurements and maybe someone else can measure a 231 and a d35. I've read in various places that the 242 is the same length and that it is one inch longer. Might as well get to the bottom of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ren Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 I am having a 'shaft cut down, as I can't find a factory one. The drivetrain is 4.0, AW-4, NP 242 and a D35. The "at rest" length that I came up with is 40 1/4". Still spring UNDER. I hope this helps some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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