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New here. I had a 92 Dakota, loved it! I've found a 93 Dakota 5.2L Magnum V8 4 WD. Problem is Transfer case is cracked, needs replaced, needs new U-Joint's and U-Joint Straps, drive-line is off. Pictures uploaded.
Couple of questions:
What is the time e.g. hours I should expect to put into this?
How difficult of a fix is it?
I'm having a hard time finding a transfer case, can I use an earlier model e.g. a 92?
I myself, have been searching for a 88-92 for a future engine, trans, swap. Around here, the newer ones are a dime a dozen but the older ones are getting harder to find.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
Straps and U-Joints are easy enough. One thing to consider is that, since the driveshaft is out, it may not be a bad idea to get a driveshaft company to install the new U-joints and have them rebalance it and make sure it's true and straight. Just my 2cents worth on that.
The transfer case - there's a few older 4WD trucks in my neck of the woods ( Northwest LA / East Texas), but yah, they're getting harder and harder to find.
If you can't locate a 88 to 93 np231, you could get a later one, up to 1996 I believe, and swap the main shaft and the tail shaft housing from yours into the newer one. It's the mechanical speedometer drive you need - your mainshaft has the drive gears and your tailshaft has the port. The np231's for Dodges are very similar thru these years so part swapping is possible. If you've ever worked on a manual trans you'll find the np231 similar to work on, maybe a bit easier. You will need snap ring pliers.
No matter whether you decide to find a later np231 or one near your year, be sure to count the splines on the input shaft and on the output shaft; these must match yours. Also, the input gear shaft on automatics is shorter, so you'll also want to make sure that matches yours as well. Good luck.
Not too bad to replace, it took my roommate and I about 4 hours to do on the concrete floor of his Dad's shop. The toughest part by far is removing the bolts that mount the tcase to the tranny. Some are difficult to get at. Life would be made muuuuch easier with a set of ratcheting box end wrenches, because it's impossible to fit a socket wrench onto 1 or 2 of the bolts, and there's barely enough room to use a regular box end.
There's about 7 bolts. Most can be removed from below, the other 2 or 3 are removed though the cab. Remove the speed sensor/speedometer cable, unplug the electrical connector on the top, then she slides backward right off the studs. It'll be easier with a friend because the case is pretty heavy.
93 Dakota Transfer Case Replacement
