phillims

Quick background. I'm new to Jeeps, no off-road, just a daily driver. I've had a '93 XJ for a little over a year. It has no lift or mods other than some of the little ones I've read on here like the headlights and such.

A week or two ago, I used my 4L for the first time (no I didn't check the fluid level when I bought it ) Long story short I shelled out the TC (metal chunks when opened). I was preparing to change the chain, but went to the junk yard after finding the chunks. I pulled a nice dry NP231 from a '99 thinking I would just put it in. After opening my old one (and having read many posts about rebuilding), I'm considering rebuilding the '99 before putting it on.

After going through all the trouble to get the thing off I don't want to get the new one on to find it has problems. Money is tight and this is the biggest project I've done on any vehicle. I don't have a shop and I'm torn between leaving well enough alone vs having to do it again. The '99 had a good fluid level when I drained it, no smell or gunky sludge.

So finally the question. Should I just put the new TC on and get my rig back on the road and cross my fingers or crack it open to replace the little plastic pad on the forks and maybe the seals (although I've never done a seal)?

Thanks ahead of time. I could have never gotten this far without the write ups here.

xjmarc

Pads should be fine on a 99 as long as it wasn't abused. Check for play in the chain, put in in 4hi and low and see how much the front output can be moved without the rear moving. If it's good and tight slap it in and hopefully you'll be good. One of those things you never really know till you crack it open.

phillims

Thanks. The next question is what to do with the old one. I'm tempted to keep it as a donor for the future. It looks like I could rebuild it for about $100. What does a used, rebuilt TC? Or I could take it back to the jy for the$25 core charge.

Thexjfiles

Keep it for parts if nothing else.....those internals are expensive..... Im rebuilding a 242 right now, and will be doing a 231 in a few weeks. Check Morris4x4 in FL. Good prices on kits and chains for the 231.

huntingman2706217

231's IMO arnt even worth rebuilding... they take 30 minutes to change ourt and can be had for $100 all day long around me... not even worth the time or rebuilding... again IMO...

andrewmp6

I would fully rebuild the new one so you know its all new and ready to go for years,On the spare one keep it for parts just in case or maybe later on to a doubler with it 231/231.

phillims

Thanks guys. Got it all in, works great. I had to use the old spedo cuz I didn't want to splice the '99 in and it had a different plug. One last question, now that I have lights that actual work. When, if ever, should I get the green "4 WD" light? I looked at another mid '90's np231 and it didn't have a bulb for that light. Is that light operational in a '93 np231? I do get the amber "part time" in both 4H & 4L.

Thanks again for a great community.

huntingman2706217

none of mine have ever worked... i just know when i move the handle that its ready... lol