Transfer swap. Easy?

[jakob292721]

Hi guys, I have a 2000 xj wreck, and my new 98 xj. The 98 transfer is screwed. How difficult is the transfer to get off without taking the whole engine out? Have started. Removed the front driveshaft, and crossmember, and exhaust mount/gearbox mount. Then lowered the whole gearbox down. Question, how do I get the top 3 nuts off? Mates mechanic/friend reckons it's "easy". Might be if you have done hundreds before!!! :D And presuming I'm removing it at the right point!!? lol. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Steve F]

I took mine out and put the new back in in around 6 hours start to finish. I had to use banana shapes spanners to get the top nuts off though, wasn't too bad once I worked this out.

http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/attachments/gt-1965-1974/132903d1236446731-removing-exhaust-manifold-blockschl-ssel.jpg

Cheers
Steve

[jakob292721]

Exelant tip Steve F. 14mm, will se if I can find 1. Thanks. We talking about the same spot though? on the passenger side, through the holes in the bracket?

[Steve F]

Not sure if we are talking the same spot, did mine years ago but I do know that these spanners saved me on the nuts I couldn't see only feel by putting my arm up over the t-case.

Cheers
Steve

[jakob292721]

Thanks, more tools to add to the "jeep" specialty collection! Cheers for the tips.

[junglejuice]

I have done several of these, there are 6 14mm nuts that retain the transfer case, the ones through the bracket are easiest done with a socket on an extension, I use a 3/8 drive socket and the extension I use has a ball head on it to allow movement, on the other side I use a 14mm spanner that I cut in half, banana spanners would also work but I didn't have last time I did one, I also made a cradle up that attaches to my trolley jack to support the weight of the transfer case, I can now do a swap in about 3hrs....

[Jimmyb]

I did what JJ suggested an cut spanner in half, also with cross member removed, you can lower the tcase/gearbox/engine back and down about 3" to be able to get more room up above.

[jakob292721]

Ok, thanks guys. :) either way, I need something I don't have! Been wanting to buy a stubble set of spanner, but quite dear considering they are half the length! Also don't have a 3/8 set yet, its on the xj list. :|

[Easy Rollins 1]

I don't buy spanner sets now days,just the tool I need.

[junglejuice]

Tradetools are you're best friend for this type of gear, I got my ballhead extension for the 3/8 socket set from the markets at Rocklea for like $4, it is brilliant especially for this job and as it is basically just an extension it doesn't have the bulk of a universal joint, I have tried to use a 1/2 drive socket with a uni joint and it wouldn't fit....

[jakob292721]

Stubby not stubble, bloody predictive phone! Yeah me to Easy, depending what it is. JJ, tried 1/2 too, even if it did go on, not enough room to swing the handle. :(

[junglejuice]

I use about 3 extensions, trust me it can be done....

[jakob292721]

Ok! :) bought a 14mm socket for my tiny 1/4inch drive set, and a Stubby set of spanners. Found a sidchrome 14mm banana spanner, nice, but $40,,,,,so it stayed on the shelf! ;)

[junglejuice]

1/4 drive may not be strong enough depending on the brand....

It really isn't that hard to do....

[jakob292721]

Um, yeah, broke my 1/4in extension bought from trade tools. broke the ball end off. :lol: They are just really tight obviously!! got the top one off. only 2 to go after work today, hopefully. Then pull the other one off :( and replce it.

[junglejuice]

I couldn't find my cut off 14mm spanner for my swap today so I ducked into my local supercrap auto and bought a set of their own brand stubby combination spanners, worked a treat, I found that using the 14mm 3/8 drive socket on a ball head extension, a swivel joint and some more extension I had the ratchet near the front diff centre and it was easy to get the top ones and the drivers side one near the exhast undone.
Took 2hrs 10m on my own....

[janddbone]

If you have a vice and and a big hammer, you can soon make banana shaped spanners!

[Wooders]

Stubby ratchet spanners IMHO are a good investment.
Then again these days I couldn't image a toolbox without regular ratchet spanners either. **)

[anthonygubbin]

Stubby ratchet spanners IMHO are a good investment.
Then again these days I couldn't image a toolbox without regular ratchet spanners either. **)

Love me Bahco ratchet spanners 3 spanners & 12 sizes in a nice little pouch. Never go anywhere without them. ;)


regards A

[jakob292721]

Ok, good news. after finally getting the other tranfer out, tonight we removed the crap one and put in the good one in in 2 hours neat. Once we figured out what order things needed to be removed, all we used was normal spanners. 14mm was all I used on the old one, but the new one required a 9/16? 14mm was just a tad tight!! (and a rubber mallet to just tap the spanner just to crack the nut.) (and also fitted my old mud tyres, 31s. looks much better!!) :D Thanks for all your help guys!!