I need some advice from someone who has installed a hack n tap kit. How perfectly straight does the hole have to be that im going to drill into the output shaft? Im worried about being slightly off center or slightly crooked and messing up the whole thing. I know all the directions say that I will be able to do it myself and that I dont have to remove the output shaft, but it just seems like it would be quite difficult to drill a perfectly straight hole.

So my general question is, should I take the shaft to a machine shop and have them drill it, or will I be safe to do it myself?

thanks in advance

 

The straighter and closer it is to center, the better off you will be.


Pre-install the yoke and mark the ID of the washer to help you get it the mark even closer to "center"


A well placed centerpunch will ensure you stay where you need to be. Drill in steps to ensure your drill doesn't walk/move.



It might also be a very good idea to ask an assistant to help you for that first time. They can tell you if you are in line (meaning you're not angle up or down) while you can make sure you're not too far to the left or right.



Joe

 

Start up the jeep and put it in reversethis will spin the shaft then start dillling by doing this you make a little mill type thing and your hole will be perfect.

Good info in here

http://go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoSYEconversion.htm

 

I would not drill with the shaft spinning. In my opinion, that is a bad idea.


I cut the shaft (while spinning) all the time.


But if you're drilling ... that means the drill has to spin even faster. And heaven help if it catches or breaks. You'll find out just how fast your arm/wrist/hand will slam into the floor pan.


I would leave everything off for the drilling process.




Joe

 

one thing to add, TAKE YOUR TIME. also, drill bit grease or lube or whatever it is called will be very helpful and make the bit last longer.

 

thanks a bunch for all the help guys!!

 

best of luck

 

I just replaced my out put seal and it already had a hole of such in it already in the center maybe you'll also get lucky, if not it would drill it with it spinning and use a small drill bit. Then once you did that use the size of drill bit you need with the shaft not spinning, at least thats what I would do or I'd take it to work and have our machinist do it.

 

I did the hack n tap on my t case check thru this entire link i posted pics as i did it. https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/np-...t-shaft-24264/
as for drilling the hole and how streight it has to be streighter the better but if you are a little off don't worry about it the shaft,bolt,and yoke all spin to geather if you are one of those **** people that have to have things perfect then have is drilled by a pro. otherwise dont sweat it. if you are afraid to drill it in gear while running the vehicle in reverse then put the transfercase in 4wheel drive, put the tranny in nutral jack up the front so the front wheels are off the ground and have a helper slowly rotate the front wheelin the right direction (when the output shaft is spinning the oppsite of the drill) it is very simple after you do it you will say that was easy. just another note when you cut the shaft you have to have the shaft spinning to get a nice streight cut and it will also leafe a mark dead center of the shaft so you know where to drill just hit it with a center punch a few times and you are ready to drill. and DO NOT run he tap in with the shaft is spinning the tap will follow the hole you drilled no need to take the added risk of breaking the tap in the hole, and use pleanty of cutting oil or grease NOT WD40 NOT PB blaster NOT liquid wrench you need lube not penertrant. 1/4 turn in then 1/8 turn out th break the cut filings out. good luck and have fun.