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This might be a dumb question, but here goes. How do I tell how many slines my t-case has? Also, will it matter if it comes out of a jeep? This is what I found at a good price: NP231J from an '89 Jeep Cherokee XJ. Recent rebuild, very solid, tight chain, 21 spline input. I have a '99, 5 spd m/t, not sure if I need a 21 or 23 sline.

The nv231/np231 transfer cases are aluminum, so if you are a great welder and know how to weld with aluminum, then give it a try. I wouldn't trust myself with it though.

Youcan put the XJ's np231 in your dakota. The 21 spline np231 came out of 4 cyl Jeeps with the AX-5 tranny and the 23 spline came out of 6 cyl Jeeps with the AX-15 tranny.I just pulled my 2000 4.7L Dakota nv231 apart and it's using the 23 spline. The 6 cyl Dakotas use the 21 spline though. So, depending on what your engine is, you can pretty much tell which spline to use. That's kind of the crude way but to tell without having to remove the transfer case. Or you could call a dealership and see if they have the info.

You might also want to look at Teraflex's TeraLow. It's a 4:1 ratio adapter for the np231. They come in both 21 and 23 spline. It replaces half of the aluminum case with a forged steel one. I got mine for $800.

I am new to the club, and just bought my first dakota. I need to install a new transfer case, and am looking for a couple of tips, Will I need any seals, do I need to install fluid?..how much?...special tools needed?

Nothing special to remove it Should be simple. It's litterally 8 bolts and the drive shaft if you have the skid plates off not sure if there is one near there...

Thanks for all the info/help. I have the 3.9 6cyl in my Dakota. Looks like I know what I'm going to do on my next days off.

I hate dealerships.....I stopped by to ask them if I had a 21 or 23 sline t-case. They could not or would not tell me! Can you beleive that.

********! lol.

They were willing to put a new one in for $1800 plus labor.

If you want to remove it, here are some basics.
Drain the transfer case and remove the drive shafts. No special tools. I can't remember the sizes of sockets.

Remove the skid plate completely. There are 4 bolts on the endsthat connectto theframe and 4 bolts that connect the tranny to the crossmember. You CAN NOT remove the transfer case without removing thecrossmember. Make sure you drop the tranny as far down as it can go and put a jackstand underneath the tranny. This helps you access the top bolts for the transfer case.

There are 8 bolts on thetwo crossmember mounts, 4 on the bottom and 4 on the top. Once you get the mounts off you can access all the transfer case bolts. There are 6 bolts that hook the transfer case to the tranny.
Make sure you have a floor jack for the transfer case when you remove it. Now just slide the transfer case out and drop it down.

There is no seal for the tranny to transfer case. You'll want to replace the front and rear output shaft seals. There is an clip that holds the bottom part of the rear output shaft housing on the output shaft. Remove that. Clean the fluid filter once you break the transfer case open and clean everything with brake parts cleaner. If it's your first time you'll be a little confused on the trasfer case.

Use ATF mercon/dexron III. Fill it up to the fill hole level.

If you have the money, buy a TeraLOW and put it in while you have the transfer case out. It's a great investment! plus you'll be one of the first people to ever put one in a dakota! you'll be the envy of your jeep friends.

Here is a small write up that might help. http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/xfer/tera4_1/
You can check on jeepsunlimited.com or pirate4x4.com for write ups on the transfer case breakdown. BE CAREFUL and DO NOT POST anything on pirate4x4!!! You'll be destroyed. Excellent site, but those guys can be ruthless if you don't know what you're talking about!!