I swapped out my D35 for a C8.25, finally got the old out, and the new in and hung (not an easy job with one person i came to find out). connected everything and lowered her back down.... start it up and after having to tighten the serpentine, go to put it in drive hoping that magically it would be an instant fix... wont move... the old D35 pinion seal was shot, i could move it around in circles, but i just need help figuring out where were losing rotation in the drivetrain... i guess next i check the transfer case to see if everything is ok in there? i really need my jeep back as its my DD and i miss her dearly

 

A better description of the original problem would really help.

from the limited info you provided it could be many things.
Low tranny fluid
Bad tranny
T-case in neutral

 

well it started with a low accelerated whine typical of the differential going out whether it be ring and pinion or pinion seal, progressively got worse until it finally kerplunked on me christmas eve, as in driveshaft would spin, but wheels werent turning, i did replace the engine about 3000 miles ago or so, everything has ran fine, shifted fine... so low tranny fluid maybe, but i dont think it would be shot, it hasnt showed any signs of fault as long as ive had it... i will mention that i still need to bleed the brakes, but it shouldnt be that bad bc i had the pedal depressed for the duration of the lines being swapped, but i do plan on bleeding them... also i forgot to throw in there, i was about a half mile from my fiances house when it on me... being christmas the next day and that were out in the country a little, i let it sit until the day after when i went back to pick it up my little brother was going to be helping me push it back i figured id see if it would move, started it put it in drive and it moved for me... now it was more like a stall converter feel, maybe the driveshaft wiggled around enough to possibly yank loose the tranny seal... ill check the tranny fluid level... and i plan on opening the D35 to see what went on in there... i dont imagine it will be pretty but ill be sure to snap some pics

 

If the fluid level is good and not burnt....bad tranny.

 

Does it act like it's in neutral?

 

lowrange, to a point yes, but it feels like its trying... i dont know the "strain" on the engine is there kinda, i feel like it would rev a little more freely if it were in neutral... ill have to check the fluid when i go out there, i wanted to get some opinions before i left the computer... is the rear tranny seal a possibility?

 

For the lack of movement? No.

 

i really dont feel like its the tranny :-/ ive had a tranny go bad in one of my past vehicles so i feel like after seeing how it degenerates i would have seen some sort of sign... ive never had tranny problems in my xj

 

i guess what im asking seriousoffroad is if the seal blew out or failed, and drained fluid in the tranny, would lack of fluid have anything to do with it?

 

Go out there and check it over.

Put it in 4wd and see if it moves.

 

soooo... apparently the drain plug at the bottom of the tranny pan is missing, which explains the tracks on the road when the rear end went... autoparts stores carry the replacement plugs, but i dont know the size i would need.... anyone have a spare? lol or have a way to get the measurements on the plug, bolt size, thread pitch, length etc... any help at all would be appreciated

ive tried gently threading a few bolts lying around into the hole to see if i could match the thread and pitch but havent found anything im comfortable with that feels right...

 

Should be able to grab one from the "Help" section of any autoparts store.

 

Parts stores have new ones with a new sealing ring included.