231 swap for 5.2 - input shaft length??

NitroRC Ed · Dec 8, 2004

Have not pulled the case out yet to determine what input shaft length is there. Have heard that it could be short/medium/or long on the input shaft length. I came across a 231 that has a short input shaft for a good deal.

What would happen if I used the 231 with the short input shaft and I find out that the one that came out was a medium or long? Any problems in using the shorter input? I don't want the first t-case I tear into be the one on my daily driver......

Jeep info:
1993 ZJ Limited 5.2, 46RH

Thanks,
Ed

DirtMonkey · Dec 8, 2004

As mentioned in about 20 messages on this first page. Swap the input shaft from your 249 into the NP231. I think I am the only one that ran into a problem with this but my Jeep is the odd one out with a AW4 transmission.

NitroRC Ed · Dec 8, 2004

Understand - I keep seeing where it says to swap if not the same. Just wondered why - have not seen that part yet. I have an XJ that was setup with a TH350 and it did not matter what the length of the input shaft was. There was so much room in there that it was not going to hit anything anyways.

Since I have not had a stock setup apart yet I was just curious as to the importance of the 'same' length. I could see where you would not want to put a long on in place of a short one - clearance issuse and all.

Thanks,
Ed

MaineZJ · Dec 9, 2004

if you put a long one in place of a short one, there may be clearance issuses
if you put a short on in place of a long one, it may leak - a lot

NitroRC Ed · Dec 9, 2004

Ok, got ya there - understand the long in place of the short. Just did not konw exactly why a short could not go in place of the long. Like I said - what I have to compare to it would not have mattered what went in - short or long.

Thanks for the info,
Ed

gsh · Dec 10, 2004

Using a short where there was a long also leaves less spline interface. That means less metal to carry the power. That could lead to an eventual failure. Depends on your driving style. It might hold up just fine. As mentioned, the leakage is the other issue.

Cody · Dec 10, 2004

At least in the newer 95 ish 5.2's with the 46rh, the input gear is (usually) 2 1/8" long from the mounting surface. I'm not sure what the older one would be.

Also, I would'nt recomend swapping input shafts from one to another. If you do some searching, I've explained it a couple times.

Cody

KevinM · Dec 10, 2004

gsh said:
Using a short where there was a long also leaves less spline interface. That means less metal to carry the power. That could lead to an eventual failure. Depends on your driving style. It might hold up just fine. As mentioned, the leakage is the other issue.

The shorter shaft will work perfectly with your transmission, no issues with power, fitting....however the rear output seal on the tranny will leak fluid until your transmission bleeds to death in about a month.

If you don't swap the gears you can put a pile of gasked maker on the mating surface between the t case and tranny. That way when it leaks it will fill the void between the two and stop eventually.

gsh · Dec 11, 2004

Well I figured I'd mention the possible power transfer issue. I like the skinny pedal closer to the floor. I'd rather have the weaker link in a more accessible location. Driveshaft is easy to get to. Axleshafts take a little more work. Trying to fix a tranny output or TC input on the trail would be a major PITA.

There is a reason the engineers gave the V8 46RH and 46RE the longer shafts. Lower gears in the TC and/or diffs will help that situation though.

231 swap for 5.2 - input shaft length??

NitroRC Ed

DirtMonkey

NitroRC Ed

MaineZJ

NitroRC Ed

gsh

Cody

KevinM

gsh

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