the trans is probably fine.

i had an xj which lunched a t-case on the highway (friend shifted into 4wd at 60mph) with an np231.

the np231 I got on a bargain sale day from a junkyard for $65, spent $30 on seals for it and resealed it, installed it in under two hours. the old case split and sheared apart at the front output.

it's probably a simple t-case fix, and it probably yanked the speedo wire and disconnected or broke one of the NSS wires.

I think $500 to fix is a high estimate, and $500 for the vehicle depending on the underbody condition is great.

he probably didn't fill it with fluid or something simple.

 

That's one thing I'm curious about...you said you destroyed a transfer case because a friend did something to destroy it. He mentioned no action that would cause the tcase to crack. It just "happened" with no reason behind it. And there really isn't any way to check and see if the trans is ok because obviously it can't be driven.

Is the trans more likely to be screwed if it just "happened" as opposed to someone did something to make it occur?

 

i guarantee that this didn't just "occur" unless it had a slow leak and bound up.

my bet, he had it in 4wd on dry pavement with no-slip conditions. that will also bind up the case and the first things to go are usually the chain, or the case itself.

 

Alright folks-

Decided against the last one. Locally, there are a lot for sale and that one was the same price with higher miles as some of the newer ones with less miles and the newer ones were all running. So, screw that.

Found a 1996 white two door for $500 (though I bet I could get it down a little). Needs a door hinge, brake line in the rear, and shocks. Runs, 160K on the engine. Bare bones interior, no power anything (honestly, a positive in my book). The owner sent some pics but I don't know whether or not I can post those here. I tried, but they're large. Someone mentioned something about rockers and I'm not sure what rockers are, but it looks like a rusty area on this. I assume this refers to the rocker panels.