231 neutral

[jimoshel]

Seems there is some discussion and disagreement as to whether the 231 transfer case has a true neutral, that is the front and rear drive shafts are separate from each other. The following may not prove anything but it gave me something to do.

First obtain a 231. This one happens to have a AX15 attached to it.

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Secure it to a firm, stable surface, clamping one drive shaft down so it cannot turn.

Insure transfer case is in neutral

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Now, using a drive shaft turning tool attached to the other drive shaft, try to turn that sucker.

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Those suckers are locked together.

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Hope ya'all enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed doing it. Jim

[COMJNUT]

But...when it is in 2wd, the front and rear are separate. I tried it on mine while the front axle was disengaged from the drive shaft. I'll have to do the neutral thing myself soon...just to believe.

[mvusse]

95 and later (which does not affect an MJ unless one was swapped in) do have a true neutral.

[jimoshel]

I should have mentioned that the unit I was foolin with came out of a 1988XJ. However according to the ID stamping it's a 1990 unit. I think one of the biggest sources of disagreement and confusion on what's what is due to the fact that our trucks are over 20 years old and very few of us are the original owners. Who really knows what was done to or swapped in them before they came into our possession? I still have it set up. Going out tomorrow and try what COMJNUT mentioned. Go thru all the gears and see what happens. Should have done it today but never thought about it.

[whowey]

I love the XJ wrecker set-up.... :rotf:

[JeepcoMJ]

I still say that you don't tow ANY jeep on a tow dolly.

 

there is not one single year that says it's OK to put the tcase in neutral and tow it. in fact, they all advise against doing so, and using a dolly. flat towing in N is acceptable, however...but most of us don't flat tow our jeeps.

 

 

 

it's just easier to avoid the hassle of even questioning the situation. I personally like not blowing up parts on newly acquired jeeps.

[mvusse]

I agree. For towing with a dolly, it is trivial to pull the rear drive shaft.

[COMJNUT]

the right way to tow on a dolly...remove rear drive shaft, it's only 8 bolts easy people! :nuts:

[Geonovast]

the right way to tow on a dolly...remove rear drive shaft, it's only 4 bolts easy people! :nuts:

 

:thumbsup:

[HOrnbrod]

the right way to tow on a dolly...remove rear drive shaft, it's only 8 bolts easy people! :nuts:

 

Eight bolts??

 

EDIT: See you caught it.

[whowey]

What do you guys that drop the rear D-shaft do about the slip yoke???

 

The only time I ever dolly-towed an XJ.. I used the recommendation in the owner's manual.. which is:

 

Manual tranny....

transmission in gear

T-case in neutral

 

Auto tranny...

Transmission in Park

T-case in neutral

[COMJNUT]

the right way to tow on a dolly...remove rear drive shaft, it's only 8 bolts easy people! :nuts:

 

Eight bolts??

 

EDIT: See you caught it.

 

uh...yes...8, 4 that connect it to the rear axle, and 4 on the output from the t-case...oh wait I'm not stock in that aspect...dangit :rotf: I have a SYE, well then bag the output of the t-case, or you will have fluid all over the ground, and you will need to fill it after the dolly tow. :shake:

 

or just do the 4 and then tie the driveshaft up to the chassis :banana:

[jimoshel]

I have a old bank money bag I use when dropping the drive shaft. Just slip it over the end of the DS, draw the strings up tight. and tie it up to something underneath. Keeps the DS and the bearings in place.

[mkbruin]

91+ are true neutral.

 

87-91 are a grey area, and some were true neutral, some weren't.

[COMJNUT]

I have a old bank money bag I use when dropping the drive shaft. Just slip it over the end of the DS, draw the strings up tight. and tie it up to something underneath. Keeps the DS and the bearings in place.

 

eggzackery :jump:

 

91+ are true neutral.

 

87-91 are a grey area, and some were true neutral, some weren't.

 

Ok, I'll be checking mine while I'm doing the oil change...and with video! :clapping:

[mvusse]

91+ are true neutral.

 

87-91 are a grey area, and some were true neutral, some weren't.

 

I disagree. The changeover was partway through 94 or between 94 and 95.

 

My 94 XJ's 231 (which is the original one it came with from the factory) does NOT have a true neutral. And not having a CAD, it cannot be towed on a dolly without pulling a drive shaft.

[Motion Offroad]

91+ are true neutral.

 

87-91 are a grey area, and some were true neutral, some weren't.

 

I disagree. The changeover was partway through 94 or between 94 and 95.

 

My 94 XJ's 231 (which is the original one it came with from the factory) does NOT have a true neutral. And not having a CAD, it cannot be towed on a dolly without pulling a drive shaft.

Our '93 XJ NP231 does have true neutral.

 

Our '94 YJ NP231 does as well.

[mkbruin]

91+ are true neutral.

 

87-91 are a grey area, and some were true neutral, some weren't.

 

I disagree. The changeover was partway through 94 or between 94 and 95.

 

My 94 XJ's 231 (which is the original one it came with from the factory) does NOT have a true neutral. And not having a CAD, it cannot be towed on a dolly without pulling a drive shaft.

 

 

Double checked my sources, and you are correct. 95 was the changeover year. Before that, its really hit or miss with no rhyme or reason. Some are, some aren't.

[COMJNUT]

NP231J 1991...

 

I'm so glad I can Laugh at myself: :cheers:

 

CLICK THE LINKS

2HI

 

4HI

 

NEUTRAL

 

:chillin:

[jimoshel]

Beat me to it, with video no less. Anyway in 2H the drive shafts are dis connected from each other. For a short tow just put the tranny in Neutral and the TC in 2H.