Since I'm rebuilding every part of my Eagle, I decided the next in line was the transfer case. I found this article (http://www.n0kfb.org/homepage/amc/tech/transfer_case/swap/) that has been posted here many times, and just wanted to share my experience, and maybe someone can point out where I went wrong:
Decided on a NP229. Then evaluating which of the 3 options I wanted to do I found a few things different than he says in the article. On my NP229, I could not do the 2nd option if I wanted to, while the holes were all there, because of the oil pump the tail housing will only sit flush in one position. This also prevented the 3rd option from being considered.
Going forward with the 1st option, he mentioned that one hole had to be drilled out but he didn't say which one! I had assumed he meant one of the bolt holes, but all the bolt holes are fine. The hole I'm having to drill out is the recess for the mode rail. I guess since the NP129 doesn't have a mode rail, the hole wasn't bored out. An easy fix with a 5/8" drill bit and a press but still something I wasn't expecting, and I don't have either.
Did I just get an odd NP229 or are these just details that were left out of the write up?
I had no problem with option 2 on my 229 swap and not sure I understand what trouble your having. It's been a while since I've been in one. I chose not to do option one, There was already a hole there but it wasn't round and I was worried the drill bit would grab and cause damage. Did you see my post on the subject? http://forums.amceaglesden.com/index.php?topic=35890.msg286991#msg286991
did you ever figure out the regular question? Im in the middle of my conversion and I ran into the same problem with the hole for the shift rail, it appears it may be a sleeve. did you drill it out? I had pretty much decided I was going to take it to a machine shop and have them measure and drill it out.
I don't reclock the transfer case. I drilled a hole across from the new output and routed the speedometer cable under the seat, over to the sill, and then followed the emergency cable from there up under the dash.
At the same time I also upgraded to a CJ7 speedometer cable with threads at both ends and a '93 or older XJ mechanical speedometer gear and adaptor. Your J10 NP229 should also have the same mechancial adaptor and same speedometer cable. That lets you unscrew the speedometer cable at the transfer case without dumping fluid everywhere.
In my collection of stuff I found a 90 degree speedo adapter (off some big truck I had) but I didn't install it right away and now I'm not sure where it is.
I decided I'm just going to de lock the cover (rear cone) I think it will be the best easiest route