T.Low's take on transfer case swap 2spd electronic shift,

FROM AWD'S TO 2-SPEED MANUAL SHIFT, IF IT LINKS THE REAR AXLE TO THE FRONT AXLE, POST IT HERE.
User avatar

WVKayaker
I sleep in my van
Posts: 427
Joined: Tue Dec 25, 2007 9:30 pm
Location: Bowie, MD
Contact:

Re: T.Low's take on transfer case swap 2spd electronic shift,

Post by WVKayaker »

Awesome Tom!
1999 AWD Astro purchased January 2007
2" Overland Vans Lift Kit, Add-a-Leaf, Shackles, Torsion Bars Cranked 1"
AGM Deep Cycle Marine Battery w/Isolator
Helwig Rear Anti-Sway Bar
Auburn Gear Pro Series Limited-Slip Differential
BFG AT KO 235/75/15
Cragar Nomad I Wheels

Dearly Departed 1990 RWD Shorty owned since day one.
Sold Feb 2007 with 193k miles.

Image
User avatar

dunedog
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 686
Joined: Wed Feb 07, 2007 1:22 pm
Location: Pioneer Valley WMass

Re: T.Low's take on transfer case swap 2spd electronic shift,

Post by dunedog »

It's so nice when stuff just seems to fall in place :bounce:

Having use of the hoist certainly makes the job almost fun!
1999 LS AWD 3" Lift,4.10's,Snowplow,9500lb Ramsey winch

phr1$k37
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 1035
Joined: Fri Aug 17, 2007 6:40 pm

Re: T.Low's take on transfer case swap 2spd electronic shift,

Post by phr1$k37 »


Wow this sounds awesome TLow! Cant wait for some photos!

97' Safari AWD SLT - Nicknamed "Princess" cause of all the TLC she begs from me!
Location: West Coast, B.C., Canada eh?
Photos and Specs of "Princess"
User avatar

Topic author
T.Low
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 1768
Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2007 7:11 pm
Location: Bellingham, Wa
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: T.Low's take on transfer case swap 2spd electronic shift,

Post by T.Low »

First things first: had to check out J's new ride. GasGas 450 LSE Fuel Injected, street legal. Very light, powerful, and fast (as if he wasn't already hard to keep up with!).
Astro T case install 178 600.jpg


Wash T case in parts washer.
Astro T case install 182 600.jpg
Bring up ASV T-case install thread on garage computer.
Astro T case install 184 600.jpg
ImageImageImageImage
AstroLander Build Slideshow
Church bells ringing in the middle of a gunfight.
User avatar

Topic author
T.Low
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 1768
Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2007 7:11 pm
Location: Bellingham, Wa
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: T.Low's take on transfer case swap 2spd electronic shift,

Post by T.Low »

T-case, TCCM, electronic switch, and tons of wiring to sort thru.
Astro T case install 185 600.jpg
Astro T case install 188 600.jpg
Astro T case install 181 600.jpg
ImageImageImageImage
AstroLander Build Slideshow
Church bells ringing in the middle of a gunfight.
User avatar

Topic author
T.Low
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 1768
Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2007 7:11 pm
Location: Bellingham, Wa
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: T.Low's take on transfer case swap 2spd electronic shift,

Post by T.Low »

Most of the install went very smoothly. J had to notch out the crossmember with his plasma cutter because the front drive shaft was too low coming out of the NP233.
Astro T case install 189 600.jpg
Astro T case install 191 600.jpg

Then he welded in some reinforcement.
Astro T case install 194 600.jpg
ImageImageImageImage
AstroLander Build Slideshow
Church bells ringing in the middle of a gunfight.
User avatar

Topic author
T.Low
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 1768
Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2007 7:11 pm
Location: Bellingham, Wa
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: T.Low's take on transfer case swap 2spd electronic shift,

Post by T.Low »

Cut off the excess, grind, and spray paint.
Astro T case install 195 600.jpg
Astro T case install 199 600.jpg
Astro T case install 203 600.jpg
ImageImageImageImage
AstroLander Build Slideshow
Church bells ringing in the middle of a gunfight.
User avatar

Topic author
T.Low
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 1768
Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2007 7:11 pm
Location: Bellingham, Wa
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: T.Low's take on transfer case swap 2spd electronic shift,

Post by T.Low »

Plenty of clearence for the front drive shaft. =D>
Astro T case install 205 600.jpg
Astro T case install 206 600.jpg
Astro T case install 210 600.jpg


Good to go. We were really suprised that both the original AWD Astro drive shafts slide right in and fit perfectly (other thean the need to notch the crossmember). We didn't start till noon, and I was planning on not driving it home the same night, but we completed the job that same evenning. That includes seperating the relevant wiring from the (nearly) complete wiring harness of the donor vehicle, and soldering new connections, washing the T-case, etc.

Now I gotta go find a little hill to climb. Oh, and time to change the sig.
Last edited by T.Low on Mon Jul 28, 2008 5:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
ImageImageImageImage
AstroLander Build Slideshow
Church bells ringing in the middle of a gunfight.
User avatar

Topic author
T.Low
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 1768
Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2007 7:11 pm
Location: Bellingham, Wa
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: T.Low's take on transfer case swap 2spd electronic shift,

Post by T.Low »

dunedog wrote:It's so nice when stuff just seems to fall in place :bounce:

Having use of the hoist certainly makes the job almost fun!

Yeah, having all the tools at your disposal and having an capable craftsman on hand really makes mod life fun. :yawinkle:
ImageImageImageImage
AstroLander Build Slideshow
Church bells ringing in the middle of a gunfight.

LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 4379
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: T.Low's take on transfer case swap 2spd electronic shift,

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Excellent write-up and pics!
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy

THier
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 12
Joined: Sat Aug 30, 2008 5:17 am

Re: T.Low's take on transfer case swap 2spd electronic shift,

Post by THier »

T.Low wrote:Plenty of clearence for the front drive shaft. =D>
Astro T case install 205 600.jpg
Astro T case install 206 600.jpg
Astro T case install 210 600.jpg


Good to go. We were really suprised that both the original AWD Astro drive shafts slide right in and fit perfectly (other thean the need to notch the crossmember). We didn't start till noon, and I was planning on not driving it home the same night, but we completed the job that same evenning. That includes seperating the relevant wiring from the (nearly) complete wiring harness of the donor vehicle, and soldering new connections, washing the T-case, etc.

Now I gotta go find a little hill to climb. Oh, and time to change the sig.
Getting ready to tackle something like this for my '97 Safari,,, what is the year range I should be looking for?

Thanks,
Tom
Image
User avatar

Topic author
T.Low
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 1768
Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2007 7:11 pm
Location: Bellingham, Wa
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: T.Low's take on transfer case swap 2spd electronic shift,

Post by T.Low »

I am not familiar with the '97. You should be able to find which model t case you need from the other t case swap threads and then use this link to find out what donor vehicles have those t cases.

http://www.drivetrain.com/transfercaseappgm.html

Good luck.
ImageImageImageImage
AstroLander Build Slideshow
Church bells ringing in the middle of a gunfight.
User avatar

SafariRob
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 556
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 4:57 pm
Location: Bryan, Ohio, USA

Re: T.Low's take on transfer case swap 2spd electronic shift,

Post by SafariRob »

Well done, T.Low! :supz:
Rob Shaver
1989 Astro 305 with an MSD 6A ignition and a dash-mounted MSD timing control, a 4160 Holley 465 cfm four barrel carb, and an HEI distributor.
Moog 625 front springs and Energy Suspension poly bushings. Rear OEM sway bar. Edelbrock shocks.

LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 4379
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: T.Low's take on transfer case swap 2spd electronic shif

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Hoping to pick up a 233 this week and should be able to pull the harness, TCCM and pushbuttons too. Any more tips and trick on the wiring side? Any programming need to be done? Were you able to use any of the Astro's AWD wiring?
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
User avatar

Topic author
T.Low
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 1768
Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2007 7:11 pm
Location: Bellingham, Wa
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: T.Low's take on transfer case swap 2spd electronic shif

Post by T.Low »

Gotta get the kids ready to drop off at the in law's in Seattle then go to a Dr.'s appointment down there to see a specialist. Probably be a long day before I get back. Let me get back to you.
ImageImageImageImage
AstroLander Build Slideshow
Church bells ringing in the middle of a gunfight.
Post Reply