I need to do something with my front driveshaft, it is binding. Since I will be having a new one made, I am also considering re-indexing the transfer case. I found the Attitude Performance website while surfing the net.

Anybody have any experience with this kit or any other ones (does anybody else make one?)? Didn't see any references to this modification in the SD/X archives.

BTW, still haven't had time to find my neutral-power driveline rattle... need to find time to mess with it and track it down...

 

Just a little update since it looks like nobody has any experience with re-indexing. I sent an email off to Attitude but didn't get a response, so I tracked down another re-index ring. I now have the ring in hand, a couple gaskets, and the hardware to do the job. Probably won't get to it for a week or two though.

Looks pretty straight forward. I need to modify or move my transmission mount. Instead of modifying it, I think I am going to lower it with U channel. I will go to the local metal supply house and try to find some 6" channel for the frame rail mounts, and 4" channel to put between the trans and crossbrace so that the end result is a tranny that is slightly lowered in back (same location as it is now but the PO had put approx 2 inche spacers on the trans crossbrace. The solution should be solid but a bit more visable then going to a complete custom trans mount.

When I drop the transfer case to install the ring I will check it and the output shaft of the trans to try to track down my neutral torque rattle/vibration.

I should only have to shorten the driveshaft a little bit and still be able to have a local shop use the shaft I already have.

While I was in the ordering mood I also ordered a 4" exhaust and Edge Juice with Attitude. The Edge is here now, the exhaust should be here next week.

yehaw.

 

Hey let me know how it goes. I have play in both of my output shafts on my transfer case. And getting some vibration.
cheers

 

will definitely post an update here later. May be a couple-few weeks though before I can get to it...

sm

 

Little progress report. I have posted some of this to my driveline vibration thread.

I did the reindex this past weekend. To make it easy for one person, I used tie down straps and suspeneded the transfer case from the frame at both the front and back of the transfer case. This way, when the transfer case was separated it hung and I didn't have to lift it up and down. This gave me plenty of room to install the adaptor and gaskets and check the shafts.

Top bolts on the transfer case are a pain to get to. I modified a spare wrench to make it easier.

Adaptor fit right on except for the indexing pin on the transmission. Didn't have any luck removing the pin so I bored a hole in the adaptor and luckily got it just right. Everything went together easily.

Since the rear shaft was out, I repainted it black with a narrow silver barber-stripe down it that goes around about three times.

Today I picked up parts to make my new transmission crossmember. Couldn't bare spending several hundred on something I could build myself for around $100. I build it with a 8" pipe which is 6" long for the driveshaft to go through, and 3" square tube for the main brace and gussetted on the bottom. I won't weld in outboard brackets until I get it under the truck and determine exactly where they need to be. All the steel is 1/8" wall, so it isn't going anywhere. Much simpiler design then the others.

I should be able to install it this weekend and refit the front driveshaft.

I'll try to load some pictures of the reindex and crossmember shortly.

sm

 

Will you have to do any else with the T-case after it's been tilted like that? Such as overfilling it with fluid to keep the gears lubed? It's an interesting idea, I can't wait to hear about the results and see the pics.

 

The lubrication with the transfer case tilted is not supposed to be a problem. If you look at the fill plug it doesn't change much, it will just submerge the front gear and chain a bit more.

Here are some pictures of the transfer case and Crossmember-in-progress.

The outboard ends of the crossmember will have brackets which make the top of the tube approx 1 3/4" below the frame rails. The front drop brackets will be slightly lower to compensate for the angle up on the stock frame.

 

You should get some pics of that beast on the web so we can check it out!

 

Ah. http://www.malmz.com/signatur/excursion/

Proof I have a "little car problem..."
http://www.malmz.com/signatur/

sm

 

Little update.

After a few bumps and bruises, my custom trans crossmember is in the truck. It went in w/o a problem, but I forgot how much fun it is to drill holes in a truck frame with a hand drill over your head... I could have put the loop a half inch higher, but the driveshaft clears so it is not a problem. I drove around the neighborhood with the transfer case engaged and all of my front end problems are now solved. Absolutely no front driveshaft binding and the shaft fit w/o needing to resize it.

As part of the mod, I did raise the back of the transmission about an inch (it was lowered about two inches by the previous owner). My rear end neutral power vibration -may- have increased a bit, more testing tomorrow. So, if increasing the angle ever-so-slightly did increase the noise, perhaps it is indeed my rear shaft that is causing the problem.

Regardless, the X is going in for 4.88 gears on Thursday, so I will have them inspect, possibly slightly shorten, and rebalance the shaft and we'll see what happens. I will also tell them to look for any other problems in the rear end.

MBRP exhaust went in today since the crossmember was out, Edge w/ Juice and air filter tomorrow...

 

Nice. Now that it's on there you get a better perspective as to the size of the driveshaft pass through hole. I had no frame of reference in the picture so I was wondering if the hole would be big enough to allow for full range of motion. Looks excellent. Give a little update after a few miles. Now that you're done you'll have time to tell those kids to pick-up those toy's.

 

So who's T-case indexing ring did you go with?

 

Probably a little touchy subject...

When I didn't get a response from the other guys (filled out their online form, and nobody picked up the phone), I started brainstorming who makes adaptors and remembered Advanced Adaptors out here in the west. They actually manufacture it as a Jeep conversion part but they knew what I was referring to when I called. Seems they sell it to the other guys.

Then entire job, including the crossmember steel, adaptor, hardware, etc. cost me around $200.00.......

sm

 

Way to go. Don't you love it when you can cut out the middle man.

 

I'm a fan of Advance Adapter's, installed an Atlas T-case in a friends rockcrawler and those guy's were great when we ran into a problem. They even offered to drive down to San Diego to help us out if we couldn't get it fixed.