Needin'Advice
Observer
Ok, so I am going to check out a 1997 Jeep Cherokee XJ tonight. I know what it should have in terms of drive train based on some research, but it is not a guarantee. This will be an off road toy and if it sees any road time it will be limited (very) and probably gravel.
Here's what the seller has told me(or doesn't know):
4" lift - brand unknown
4.0l engine (original ?)
auto tranny (was originally a manual and was swapped at some point)
Front axle was swapped with a junk yard one by current owner.
Rear axle - ?
Transfer case -?
Here is what I am hoping for:
NP231 Transfer case
Aw4 tranny
C8.25 Rear axle
High Pinion front dana30
I am pretty sure if it has the Dana35, I will pass on it all together(although I have been reading about the Ford 8.8 swap for these). But here is my biggest concern. If this was a factory manual tranny with the 4.0l, then from my research I think it should have 3.07 gears. If the current owner took a front axle from an auto(with the 4.0l), it should have 3.55 gears. He said he drove it after the new axle was put in, but he bought it for an off road vehicle, so I wonder if he drove it on the road or off. If it was off road (able to spin tires a bit) would he likely notice the gearing difference from front to rear? On road, he would have to notice, right?
He is only looking to get $800 out of it, so I am not expecting perfection, but I also don't want to create a ton of work for myself. I am looking for something I can throw some decent tires on, maybe lock(weld) the rear, and go play a little bit. Down the road, I might be willing to upgrade some things.
So what is the likelihood that it is a aw4 trans that was swapped in, and how can I tell visually from under the vehicle if it is the aw4? If not an aw4, what other auto could it be?
Is there an easy visual confirmation of the transfer case(np231 vs np242) if the tag is missing? I know the in cab shifter is an indication, but not a guarantee. They could have swapped a trans/tranfer cae combo all at once, right?
What is the likelihood the gears are mismatched?
Any other concerns I should have? Thank you in advance.
Here's what the seller has told me(or doesn't know):
4" lift - brand unknown
4.0l engine (original ?)
auto tranny (was originally a manual and was swapped at some point)
Front axle was swapped with a junk yard one by current owner.
Rear axle - ?
Transfer case -?
Here is what I am hoping for:
NP231 Transfer case
Aw4 tranny
C8.25 Rear axle
High Pinion front dana30
I am pretty sure if it has the Dana35, I will pass on it all together(although I have been reading about the Ford 8.8 swap for these). But here is my biggest concern. If this was a factory manual tranny with the 4.0l, then from my research I think it should have 3.07 gears. If the current owner took a front axle from an auto(with the 4.0l), it should have 3.55 gears. He said he drove it after the new axle was put in, but he bought it for an off road vehicle, so I wonder if he drove it on the road or off. If it was off road (able to spin tires a bit) would he likely notice the gearing difference from front to rear? On road, he would have to notice, right?
He is only looking to get $800 out of it, so I am not expecting perfection, but I also don't want to create a ton of work for myself. I am looking for something I can throw some decent tires on, maybe lock(weld) the rear, and go play a little bit. Down the road, I might be willing to upgrade some things.
So what is the likelihood that it is a aw4 trans that was swapped in, and how can I tell visually from under the vehicle if it is the aw4? If not an aw4, what other auto could it be?
Is there an easy visual confirmation of the transfer case(np231 vs np242) if the tag is missing? I know the in cab shifter is an indication, but not a guarantee. They could have swapped a trans/tranfer cae combo all at once, right?
What is the likelihood the gears are mismatched?
Any other concerns I should have? Thank you in advance.
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