NP242 options

benulis55 · Mar 20, 2009

Hey everyone

I have a 96 XJ with a RE 4.5” and I just put in a ford 8.8 rear. I had NO vibes with my D35 and now I cant go 25mph before the jeep feels like a jackhammer. The 8.8 is even shimmed 10 degrees. Please give your opinion on the following options:

1.) buy a SYE and tom woods shaft price ~ 540 (correct my price if its wrong)

2.) buy an SYE and use a XJ front driveshaft

3.) take my T-case out, get the splione count and hunt down a np231 with the same spline count. Would this end up with a cheaper SYE and driveshaft? Or isn’t it worth the hassle?

4.) You tell me

Thanks guys

Ghost · Mar 20, 2009

5.) Find a case with the SYE already in it.

I think other then this you listed all the options. I personally would find a cheap 231 and go that route.

benulis55 · Mar 20, 2009

is a ZJ front driveshaft (from a 4.0) better than using a XJ front shaft? I know its longer, would it fit...anyone know how much longer?

ColoradoRaptor · Mar 20, 2009

So, you are saying that you had the 4.5 and 35 w/ no vibes, right? You put a 8.8 in and now you have a problem. If this is the case then your DS angles are off!! Your 8.8 yoke should be pointing straight at the TC output and down about 1-2 degrees.

stoneattic · Mar 20, 2009

ColoradoRaptor said:
Your 8.8 yoke should be pointing straight at the TC output and down about 1-2 degrees.

Not if he doesn't have an SYE. If he's SYE-less then the pinion should be parallel to the TC output shaft and down about 1-2 degrees.

Ghost · Mar 20, 2009

stoneattic said:
Not if he doesn't have an SYE. If he's SYE-less then the pinion should be parallel to the TC output shaft and down about 1-2 degrees.

True. Also could be a 8.8 pinion bearing going out.

stoneattic · Mar 20, 2009

benulis55 said:
is a ZJ front driveshaft (from a 4.0) better than using a XJ front shaft? I know its longer, would it fit...anyone know how much longer?

Here's a table of front drive shaft lengths:

http://www.crownautomotive.net/catalog/axle/propeller_shafts2.html

I'm running a ZJ with my AX-15/242 H&T/D44 combo at about 5 1/2".

ColoradoRaptor · Mar 20, 2009

stoneattic said:
Not if he doesn't have an SYE. If he's SYE-less then the pinion should be parallel to the TC output shaft and down about 1-2 degrees.

:doh: I was so focused on the question I overlooked his list of solutions.........:gee: Geeeeezzzz now I feel stupid!!

benulis55 · Mar 20, 2009

Im not sure a bad pinion bearing could make the vibes this bad. I checked and rechecked the bearings and seals when the 8.8 was out and everything seemed OK. The angle between the 8.8 and the driveshaft is pretty steep, steeper than it was with the dana 35, which is what i think is causing the vibes. Whats the easiest fix? a SYE and a front driveshaft right? I am leary of the Hack n Tap RE kit, what about the Tom Woods kit?

Thanks for all the help guys...you guys reply quick too!

benulis55 · Mar 20, 2009

i COULD just grind off the spring perches and angle the 8.8 (almost) directly at the T-Case

is it worth it?

Clean Racing · Mar 20, 2009

benulis55 said:
Im not sure a bad pinion bearing could make the vibes this bad. I checked and rechecked the bearings and seals when the 8.8 was out and everything seemed OK. The angle between the 8.8 and the driveshaft is pretty steep, steeper than it was with the dana 35, which is what i think is causing the vibes. Whats the easiest fix? a SYE and a front driveshaft right? I am leary of the Hack n Tap RE kit, what about the Tom Woods kit?

Thanks for all the help guys...you guys reply quick too!

Alright the reason for the vibes is when you installed the 8.8 you have the pinion angle set wrong.. Look at MIT in El Cajon calif for another 242 sye option, nothing wrong with Tom Wood's stuff either..

http://www.mit4x4.com/

benulis55 · Mar 20, 2009

so i just need to cut off the shackle mounts and angle the 8.8 up more. Pointing towards the tcase???

Clean Racing · Mar 20, 2009

benulis55 said:
so i just need to cut off the shackle mounts and angle the 8.8 up more. Pointing towards the tcase???

No just the opposite... Since you DO NOT have an SYE the pinion needs to be parallel to the t-case output.. Not pointed at it.. if any 1~2* pointing down is desirable.. If you take some time and research there are options for the 242 just like GoJeep has done with his set up.. But like I said nothing wrong with the Tom Woods sye, but its not the only one out there.. Thus the link for MIT in SoCal... best of luck in your vibe elimination..

Kittrell · Mar 20, 2009

Clean-RC said:
Look at MIT in El Cajon calif for another 242 sye option....

http://www.mit4x4.com/

Might be helpful if the link provided actually gave some insight to what that option actually is..............

Clean Racing · Mar 20, 2009

Kittrell said:
Might be helpful if the link provided actually gave some insight to what that option actually is..............

Their website sucks, but they also have a 242 sye that is a Yoke style instead of a flange.. Mine was $369 w/exchange a couple of years ago..

FlexdXJ · Mar 20, 2009

I happen to have a spare 231 but i'm not shipping it!

Ghost · Mar 20, 2009

FlexdXJ said:
I happen to have a spare 231 but i'm not shipping it!

Shipping for a tcase is around $60 - $70.

FlexdXJ · Mar 21, 2009

Ghost said:
Shipping for a tcase is around $60 - $70.

Thats actually not to bad but i don't want to mess with carrying it to a UPS store and messing with it, even with it on the buyer's dime.

NP242 options

benulis55

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Ghost

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benulis55

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ColoradoRaptor

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stoneattic

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Ghost

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stoneattic

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benulis55

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Clean Racing

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Ghost

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