Where to find parts to rebuild/fix Transfer case

[Eagle1984]

I think I might have put this in the wrong place so I am recopying here. recently the front transfer case went out on my 1984 AMC Eagle Sedan. I was driving down the highway and heard this sudden grinding. Would not accelerate faster then what I was going and when I turned into a gas station and had to go up hill I slowed to barely moving. Took into summit transmission thinking that was the problem as when I put it into park it made a horrible sound and I could still push it and it would roll.
They said the transfer case was empty of fluid and most likely shot. Now they are trying to find the parts to rebuild it. Are there any places that still sell parts for the NP 129 or would it be easier to put in another like the NP 119? What advice could you offer. Thanks for your time.

[DaemonForce]

I wouldn't bother with the stock Eagle equipment if you can help it. I have a replacement NP129 on standby in my junk bin but it's probably not going anywhere anyway. Look in the picking yards for another AMC Eagle if you can. Otherwise it's back to the picking lists:

Jeep Wagonner
Jeep Cherokee
Jeep Pioneer
Jeep CJ-5
Jeep CJ-7

The NP229 is the only upgrade I have in mind for the Eagle. There is no other acceptable substitute. If you find a NP242 or something that everyone else here praises so well you could just get by with that. It will keep you moving on the roads. I can't guarantee much else.

[Eagle1984]

I wouldn't bother with the stock Eagle equipment if you can help it. I have a replacement NP129 on standby in my junk bin but it's probably not going anywhere anyway. Look in the picking yards for another AMC Eagle if you can. Otherwise it's back to the picking lists:

Jeep Wagonner
Jeep Cherokee
Jeep Pioneer
Jeep CJ-5
Jeep CJ-7

The NP229 is the only upgrade I have in mind for the Eagle. There is no other acceptable substitute. If you find a NP242 or something that everyone else here praises so well you could just get by with that. It will keep you moving on the roads. I can't guarantee much else.

If I did want to stick with it are there any places that sell replacements. How hard is it to modify, install a NP 229, would I have to change the back?

[DaemonForce]

If I did want to stick with it are there any places that sell replacements. How hard is it to modify, install a NP 229, would I have to change the back?

That's exactly the problem here. The stock replacement is too rare to consider. In many cases for every other part of this vehicle the upgrades have become the new stock replacement. Without them, you'll struggle to retain functionality.

Anyway, why do you think I'm holding onto the NP129? I have found ONE NP229 from a Jeep Cherokee that I wasn't able to pull since the crossmember was frozen but the ends look different and I'm sure it will need reclocking. Found it last season in the picking yards, it's gone now along with any chance of finding another one. I'll just have to wait. Oh but what's this? I found an AMC Eagle with one of the full time non-selectable transfercases at St. Johns last night. There's other Eagles with similar cases in Stockton, Rancho Cordova and I believe there were two in Chico. I'd have to look them up again.

[Eagle1984]

would replacing it with the full time transfer case work better in the long run?

[BenM]

It's probably easiest to swap in a different 119 or 129, but if the viscus coupling in your old one is still good (and it may be from your story) I'd pull it and keep it. There are probably several people here who have a whole transfer case you could use.

Alternatively just about any modern Jeep case can be adapted. Look for a fixed rear yoke on the case or grab the drive shaft as well when you pull it so you can have it adjusted for length. There's a few writeups here, but there is a little bit of work is needed to make everything fit.

Make sure you check the fluid in it every year! My original case has nearly 200,000 on it with all original parts, it outlasted two transmissions, an engine, and a rear axle shaft; so they can be pretty reliable.

[Eagle1984]

It's probably easiest to swap in a different 119 or 129, but if the viscus coupling in your old one is still good (and it may be from your story) I'd pull it and keep it. There are probably several people here who have a whole transfer case you could use.

Alternatively just about any modern Jeep case can be adapted. Look for a fixed rear yoke on the case or grab the drive shaft as well when you pull it so you can have it adjusted for length. There's a few writeups here, but there is a little bit of work is needed to make everything fit.

Make sure you check the fluid in it every year! My original case has nearly 200,000 on it with all original parts, it outlasted two transmissions, an engine, and a rear axle shaft; so they can be pretty reliable.

Okay, stupid question but what list and what fluid?

[Eagle1984]

What do you guys think of this site. They mentioned they sell trans rebuilds.

http://www.midwesttrans.com/prodlk.html

[BenM]

Sorry, edited that, here on the 'Nest. Use generic Dextron compatable ATF, up to the bottom of the filler bolt.

[Eagle1984]

Sorry, edited that, here on the 'Nest. Use generic Dextron compatable ATF, up to the bottom of the filler bolt.

how about dextron II, Know the places around here sell oil that is made for all makes of Dextron II and III

Where would I even fill it?

[Eagle1984]

If I did want to stick with it are there any places that sell replacements. How hard is it to modify, install a NP 229, would I have to change the back?

That's exactly the problem here. The stock replacement is too rare to consider. In many cases for every other part of this vehicle the upgrades have become the new stock replacement. Without them, you'll struggle to retain functionality.

Anyway, why do you think I'm holding onto the NP129? I have found ONE NP229 from a Jeep Cherokee that I wasn't able to pull since the crossmember was frozen but the ends look different and I'm sure it will need reclocking. Found it last season in the picking yards, it's gone now along with any chance of finding another one. I'll just have to wait. Oh but what's this? I found an AMC Eagle with one of the full time non-selectable transfercases at St. Johns last night. There's other Eagles with similar cases in Stockton, Rancho Cordova and I believe there were two in Chico. I'd have to look them up again.

Would be appreciated.

[DaemonForce]

Would be appreciated.

Either way you're screwed. All the stuff I know is along the I-5. You'd have to find some related system on your own. Basically there's a bluebird Eagle sitting in St. Johns with either the 119 or 128. In Rancho Cordova there's a white bird with the NP129. A yellow one in Rocklin but I can't remember what it had. There's now only ONE in Chico but I didn't get to see it myself. These things magically pop in and out every few weeks. I try to jump on the opportunity as fast as I can. I'm trying my best to disregard the Hornets and Concords. It just hurts too much when I see them.

[Eagle1984]

Would be appreciated.

Either way you're screwed. All the stuff I know is along the I-5. You'd have to find some related system on your own. Basically there's a bluebird Eagle sitting in St. Johns with either the 119 or 128. In Rancho Cordova there's a white bird with the NP129. A yellow one in Rocklin but I can't remember what it had. There's now only ONE in Chico but I didn't get to see it myself. These things magically pop in and out every few weeks. I try to jump on the opportunity as fast as I can. I'm trying my best to disregard the Hornets and Concords. It just hurts too much when I see them.

In what state do you live if you do not mind me asking? Also found a place that sells rebuild kits, what do you guys think? http://www.drivetrain.com/parts_catalog/transfer_case_replacements_and_parts/np219.html

[DaemonForce]

In what state do you live

I live all over the I-5. I pass out in Washington State.

I will not bother with the rebuild kits. They're a waste of time when I can get the upgraded unit for less than a quarter the price of a soft rebuild.

[Eagle1984]

In what state do you live

I live all over the I-5. I pass out in Washington State.

I will not bother with the rebuild kits. They're a waste of time when I can get the upgraded unit for less than a quarter the price of a soft rebuild.

Okay, but do the rebuild kits actually work. Also my parents are thinking of having your local mechanic do it for cheaper and are going to get a dolly to bring the car back the 1.5 hours journey to him. As summit transmission wanted at least 1400 to rebuild the transfer case.