Np229 with 998 problems...SOLVED!

[eaglefreek]

Has anyone actually done the NP229 with a factory TF998? This supposed "bolt in" swap has turned into a  . When I had my transmission rebuilt a few months ago, I decided to do a 229 swap at the same time. I decided to split the cases and drill and tap the 229 case so I could use the Eagle's tail shaft housing in order to orient the speedo cable properly. I'm glad I did that, it worked perfect. However, I had problems with the 229 vacuum motor bracket interfering with the transmission shifter linkage. I removed the bracket and stuck it in 2wd and drove it like that for a few months. Yesterday, I got stuck in some mud at a park. It was grass but on top of slippery mud. It was quite embarrassing and I had to call a tow truck to get me out. Today I decided to get it to work, no matter what. I've trimmed the bracket quite a bit but just can't see a way for it to work with the factory 229 bracket. I don't see any mention of this problem with other 229 swaps.  

[mudkicker715]

Mine worked when it was in my wagon. However its now in my sedan and I have to manually shift it its mia. Iirc I used my eagle shift motor thing.

[eaglefreek]

Did you use the Eagle's bracket and shift motor or did you install the 229 bracket that has the linkage for the low range.
229 linkage diagram.

[mudkicker715]

Cannot remember. I put that case in in 2000. Never used the low range in it. However now that its in the 84 I cut a hole just to shift it from inside meaning my floorboard. Sorry

[eaglefreek]

Saying the 229 swap is a bolt in is very misleading. I don't mind doing some little fabbing, but when you read post after post saying it's a bolt in, it's quite frustrating. I have finally got the bracket to where it doesn't interfere with the shifter but now the rod that connects the shifter to the transmission rubs real hard on the vacuum motor. I've taken it off twice and bent it some which has helped some but I needed to come inside for a break before I threw a hammer through the windshield. It's taken me longer to get the linkage figured out than it did to do get the TC installed. If I had a lift it wouldn't be too terrible but I'm really getting to hate being on my back on a concrete floor under a car. I've been saying for years I'll never have a car payment ever again, but getting in a car and turning the key and going on my way sounds inviting.

[68AMXGOPAC]

I hear ya there. But along with new car payments , comes higher insurance and costs. But better milage, turn key starts and comfort do have thier pluses. personally I can't see makeing car payments, they say it is the biggest loser of worth , drive off the lot and down a few thousand allready. Not to say if you keep it well past it's payments it isn't worth it, but then repairs start to add up as it gets older. Kinda a catch 22 , wish I had knowledge of the swap to help, sorry.

[eaglefreek]

I was just venting. I don't see me getting a new car anytime soon. There isn't a single car made today that I could see myself driving. I got the linkage figured out. I had to cut an 1" out of the trans shifter rod in one spot and add to another to get the bend to get past the shift motor. Worked great. Now I got to get the low range shifter installed but I think I'm going to call it a day and try to finish it tomorrow afternoon. I post pics in a while of the mods I made to the bracket and shifter rod.

[eaglefreek]

Here a a few pics:
This is the Eagle bracket compared to the Jeep bracket. It moves the vacuum motor almost 4" forward from it's original location.

Here is where the shifter is hitting the bracket.



After some cutting and welding.


Here is where I took out some of of one part of the shifter linkage and welded it into another part of the rod.
Before:

After:

[carguy87]

Where did you find a transmission shifter rod like that?  On both of my Eagles they have had only one bend down at the transmission to go into the turn plate.

[eaglefreek]

That's what was on the car when I got it. As far as I know the car was 100% original when I got with 135k miles.

[vangremlin]

Looks like you did some real nice mods on both the transmission rod and bracket.  Great job and thanks for the pics.  With the info you shared it might save some headaches for some of us in the future!

[eaglefreek]

I got a chance to get it back together this afternoon. It works great. I went to my uncle's place, 20 miles away, to test it. He has 40 acres and it's on the side of a large hill with lots of smaller steep hills on the property. Really love the low range. 

[philotomy]

nice work and 2 eggs to you sir

[Whuntmore]

nice work and 2 eggs to you sir

X2, Here I thought it would go on the side by the main shifter. 

[eaglefreek]

No, the low range lever mounts under the seat just like it does on the full size Jeeps. There is a flat spot in the floor pan that is in the exact spot where the lever needs to be mounted. It's pretty obvious once you see it that it was meant for the low range lever. Someone at AMC had planned this or maybe it was easier to use the same dies for the floor pan from a Jeep.