Transmision or Transfercase?

1995 GC Larado all time 4X4 I was driving home the other day and noticed a grinding noise coming from the transmision area. Then I lost all the gears. It was makeing all kinds of whining and grinding noises. There was a bad smell of tranny fluid. I let it sit over night. The next day I was able to move it and get it into the garage. Once it got hot I lost all gears again.
lONG STORY SHORT, I put another transmision in. It ran perfect for 2 days. Today the noises came back also some clunking. I totaly lost reverse. The drive gears work but make alot of noise. If I take overdrive off it seems to help?
Please tell me its my transfer case? Or did I just replase the transmision and didnt have too? I am still smelling a strong transmision fluid smell.

If you have the 318 V8, you have the NP249 transfer case which is full-time 4WD. It has a notorious problem with the viscous coupler failing inside the transfer case that keeps the drivetrain from binding when the front & rear axles are turning at different speeds. There is a way to convert the 249 to a 242 which is a part-time 4WD unit w/o the viscous coupler used in all the 4.0s. My suggestion, if you can, get your old tranny back because it was probably good and just find another transfer case. If you put a used tranny from a junkyard on your truck, you have no idea what condition it was in when you bought it.

I just took out the transfer case and took it apart. I cant tell if there is anything wrong inside. How can I tell if the transfer case is bad? I started the jeep and put it in reverse without the T case and I did not hear any noise. If the viscous coupling is bad is it possable it would go into drive and not into reverse?

The viscous coupler is a strange beast; I've read threads elsewhere with either the forward or reverse gear not working.

If you've got the TC out, replacing the viscous coupler might be the simplest option. They're usually good for about 90k miles.

try to find a JGC in a junkyard that still has the powertrain attached and pull the T/C. The viscous coupler costs $1100 from the dealer and is on backorder. Most junkyard T/Cs cost around $250.

try to find a JGC in a junkyard that still has the powertrain attached and pull the T/C. The viscous coupler costs $1100 from the dealer and is on backorder. Most junkyard T/Cs cost around $250.


Good point....simplest isn't always cheapest. Swap's a great idea.