AMC Eagle Den Forum

The Shop => 4X4 and Driveline => Topic started by: anrkii on September 04, 2012, 04:41:52 AM

Title: low range tcase shifter?
Post by: anrkii on September 04, 2012, 04:41:52 AM
what kinds of shifters have yall tried for low range cases?
I dont want to cut a big slot in the floor for a universal lever,
I also bought a nineties chevy one but theres not enough room for it.

can I use a cherokee cable one? or maybe a push/pull arrangement with a rod thru the floor?
Title: Re: low range tcase shifter?
Post by: mudkicker715 on September 04, 2012, 05:18:34 AM
Quote from: Mernsy on September 04, 2012, 05:05:09 AM
I think AMC left a flat spot in the floor under the driver's seat on the right side near the front. I think some sort of Jeep shifter may work there.

correct. the lever is from a fullsize jeep.
Title: Re: low range tcase shifter?
Post by: eaglefreek on September 04, 2012, 05:32:01 AM
Depends on what case you are using.
Title: Re: low range tcase shifter?
Post by: carnuck on September 04, 2012, 11:48:53 AM
73 to 76 FSJs with optional low range (quadratrac) used an under dash shift cable, like a PTO unit used.
Title: Re: low range tcase shifter?
Post by: mach1mustang351 on September 04, 2012, 10:06:10 PM
I'm using the novak unit for my NP242.  It works okay.  I've had it for years. their new design looks a lot better than the one I have. 
Title: Re: low range tcase shifter?
Post by: captspillane on September 05, 2012, 02:11:01 PM
I've had a NP242 for years but I never tackled the shifter problem. These are the options I know about:

1) Full size Jeep shift handle used with the NP219 in 1980 or 1981. The AMC Eagle prototypes did have a low range, so the floorpan was factory designed to accept the same lever as the Full Size Jeeps. I've heard of people using this setup with their NP219s, but I've never seen details or attempted it myself. I don't know if that handle will work for a NP242 because of the differences in range of motion.

2) The Novak cable shifter for NP242/231. It's designed to use the original XJ shift handle. I haven't bought one yet because I'm attempting option number 4 right now because if it works it will be about a third the price. The biggest reason the Novak option is so nice is that you can put the handle exactly where you want it.

3) Make your own cable shifter similar to the Novak kit. Realistically it isn't that hard to make your own shifter from scratch or random parts from a junkyard. I bet the XJ AW4 transmission linkages would provide a great cable for a custom shifter. In my case I plan on buying a Novak kit soon for my best Eagle and attempting to copy the shifter with cheaper materials for my future projects.

4) The Advanced Adaptor shift bracket. This bracket is designed for the NV3550, but should work in an Eagle. I've got one I'm about to attempt to install in the car I'm currently working on. A used handle from a Jeep YJ also has to be purchased to make this work. It cost me $20 for the used handle and the guy I bought it from has others in stock. The problem with this solution is that I won't know where it comes through the Eagle floorpan until I try installing one. In my case I'm not too worried about it because I'm drastically modifying the floorpan already for another reason.

http://www.advanceadapters.com/products/nv3550-shifter-bracket-for-jeep-np231-transfer-cases/
Title: Re: low range tcase shifter?
Post by: anrkii on September 06, 2012, 03:08:22 PM
I might try one of these: (http://static.speedwaymotors.com/RS/SR/Product/91099522GS_L.jpg)
they are on sale for 20$ and I wont have to whack a honkin huge hole for a factory style shifter.
Ill probably make a pivot arm that bolts to the trans and make a couple of rods up.

The only downside of the speedway motors shifter is theres no place to thread my miller high life tap on it! Oh well.

I looked at the yj and xj shifters, the yj one looks closer to the eagle floorpan shape, but I dont think its a perfect fit either way. Let me know what you find on that.
Title: Re: low range tcase shifter?
Post by: jim on September 06, 2012, 05:20:50 PM
If someone could develop a complete kit with instructions he/she could probably sell a few on here. 
There was a time I would have bought one.
I wouldn't have cut a hole in the floor of the 88, but I would have the 83.
Title: Re: low range tcase shifter?
Post by: j2sax on September 10, 2012, 12:10:08 AM
BTW, the under seat shifter levers for all the 80 and up FSJ' s are the same (the single Longer JTruck NP208 lever on the psngr side trans tunnel are the exception).  The only differences are the patterns printed on the Shifter Flags and the length of the shifter arm. 

You can use a rod and heim joints rather than the factory rod. 

You can also cut the arm in half, thread the middle ends, use a long coupler nut and lock nuts on either side so you can adjust the length. 



Title: Re: low range tcase shifter?
Post by: anrkii on September 13, 2012, 02:00:45 PM
Heres what I did on that:
(http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/7569/0000028x.jpg)
(http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/6049/0000030e.jpg)
First thing youll ask, is why the heck is it gold? Because its the only color speedway motors had left of the $15 closeout shifters. Discount bling is the best kind.
I purchased a different transfer case lever and mounted it pointing up, stuck the shifter through the floor and made a linkage. I need to add a boot to it but Ill deal with that later.

Turned out ok. about $30 in parts
Title: Re: low range tcase shifter?
Post by: Baskinator on September 24, 2012, 10:22:07 PM
This looks like it could work well for me, and $16 is my kind of price. Thanks for posting, the install looks sweet!
Title: Re: low range tcase shifter?
Post by: vangremlin on September 24, 2012, 11:16:24 PM
Looks very nice!  Good work, and the price is right!