mountaineerjeff

I have a 4wd aw4, and I know to convert it to a 2wd trans I need a tailhousing AND a 2wd output shaft. However this makes the conversion unrealistic. I want to use my 4wd trans without a tcase. Im wondering if I can use a yoke on the aw4 output shaft. and just get a custom length driveshaft to make it all work together.

Basically I want to use the trans I have without switching the output shaft.

SteveMongr

I think you would be better off leaving the TC in and just remove the front drive-shaft.
The TC does not give parasitic drag. The front yolk will not spin without the driveshaft.
I have not seen a 2wd so I do not know how it's done.

Good Luck

mountaineerjeff

the TC def does have parasitic drag for sure, and its heavy.

salad

Why are you trying to convert to 2WD? If you want fuel economy remove the axle shafts and driveshaft. Or buy a Jetta. Poor Jeep

The NP231 absolutely has parasitic drag, but it's not much compared to other components. It could be gutted in theory but you can't remove the planetary gear set.

mountaineerjeff

quite the opposite actually. I really enjoy using the xj platform and the 4.0, but believe it or not, not all motorsports require, or allow, 4wd. the conversion is for weight, speed, handling, power, and did I mention weight?

It has nothing to do with hypermiling or economy. it because I like to use my jeep for motorsports other than crawling a one mile per hour in mega four-low with 55" tires.

the reason for not just finding a 2wd, is because I have a low mile known good 4wd, AND I believe the 4wd trans is in fact stronger. It has a shorter 23 spline shaft, opposed to a long 21 spline.

salad

I had not considered that. What are you using your XJ in that would not allow 4WD that you'd need the weight? Street racing?

Anyway the 4WD transmission is not stronger. The internals are identical, the 23-spline output shaft is completely irrelevant because that's just what feeds the transfer case. In 2WD models the drive shaft slips directly on to the splined main shaft - which is the same as the output on the transfer case. A 2WD system in that sense is arguably stronger because you're removing the transfer case as a point of failure.

To make it work you'd need to fab up a fixed yoke or something that would attach to an NP231 input gear and bolt to the plate. The output on an AW4 is about 1.5" long, you're not going to be able to fix a DS directly to it, nor will the bearing necessarily support that additional load and vibration.

It'd be way less effort and cost to find a 2WD AW4 and appropriate drive shaft, and be more reliable.

mountaineerjeff

well shoot, I guess I had better put up a WTT or WTB add. luckily for me I know the 4wd is worth more $$$.

And dont worry, we have 2 other 4wd xjs too. one for trail bashing, and one for mud racing. As my avatar shows im not afraid to bury them. And yes the one in question is a street only jeep.

94JeepCherokeeMan

Jeff, look through the jy search engine. car-parts.com

That might help you find a 2WD trans