NP233 electric shift to manual shift swap

FROM AWD'S TO 2-SPEED MANUAL SHIFT, IF IT LINKS THE REAR AXLE TO THE FRONT AXLE, POST IT HERE.

Topic author
LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 4379
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: NP233 electric shift to manual shift swap

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Well I can only say it works great...I have only driven about 3 miles so far. The transfer case has synchronizers so yeah, you can shift on the fly. Just like any other transfer case, make sure you aren't spinning when shifting. I had to make a small adjustment to the cable at the t-case end due to it not wanting to disengage completely. Just needed an 1/8" adjustment.

I also was wrong earlier when I said it was slightly shorter than the 136. They are about the same length. I had the van in the air and the axle was hanging. Once on the ground the slip yoke goes in as far as it did.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
User avatar

Stroverlander
I sleep in my van
Posts: 308
Joined: Fri Dec 16, 2011 4:18 pm

Re: NP233 electric shift to manual shift swap

Post by Stroverlander »

Awesome!
2004 Astro LT AWD Stroverlander
User avatar

Smiliesafari
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 2667
Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2006 12:34 pm
Location: Orlando, FL

Re: NP233 electric shift to manual shift swap

Post by Smiliesafari »

Very cool, Dean. I was a little concerned about the driveshaft. Glad that worked out.
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle

Topic author
LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 4379
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: NP233 electric shift to manual shift swap

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Got to use 4x4 last night after snowshoe running. It was snowing pretty good and the roads were covered. It engaged and disengaged fine. I do get a slight bit of bind when going from 4x4 to 2WD. If I let off completely it will disengage. On wet roads it stays in 4x4 until I let off completely. I think this is due to the 4.11's out back and 4.10's up front.

Today I used 4LO while plowing snow and it is nice being able to creep along without stressing the tranny! :supz:
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
User avatar

thegreenmachine
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 81
Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2010 9:50 am
Location: chilliwack B.C.

Re: NP233 electric shift to manual shift swap

Post by thegreenmachine »

this is my next mod. and axle swap. gonna need help with the linkage though.

good job, looks awesome. I am "green" with envy!!!
2003 Chevrolet Astro 4wd np233c transfercase 245/75/16 ETS Trailermaster tires
ImageImageImage
Previous:
1995 Safari AWD (death by torsion bar. a.k.a. "the final straw")
1999 Safari AWD ( death by tree x2 )
1997 safari rwd cargo ( sold @ 450,000+ km )

chuck.z
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 2:08 pm
Location: Atlanta, GA / Bay Area, CA

Re: NP233 electric shift to manual shift swap

Post by chuck.z »

Hey Lifted, curious if the 233 has the shimmy on snowy conditions like the 231. In the other thread discussing the issue, TLow believes that his setup doesn't have the shimmy because of the 233. Can you post on your experiences?
1996 Astro Awd - All stock, soon to be lifted and camperized
1998 GMC Safari 2wd - Work van. 258k miles and counting

Topic author
LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 4379
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: NP233 electric shift to manual shift swap

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

I don't know for sure as my 233 was not installed and run in too much snow. Plus my 2005 was stock height with basic all season tires. I would have given it a workout this year but not last year. I don't recall it pulling at all.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
User avatar

Herbie
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 674
Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:45 am
Location: San Diego, CA
Has thanked: 12 times
Been thanked: 4 times
Contact:

Re: NP233 electric shift to manual shift swap

Post by Herbie »

Well, as the new owner of this particular transfer case, I guess it's my job to post an update. We've had our first rain here in months, so I was delayed getting photos, but I didn't want to violate rule 6.b, so here we go: (My full album of photos is here.)

The completeness of the work Dean did means there's very little new "art" here.

Image
Transfer case and eBay replacement front driveshaft (to cure my clunk/knock/click issue) bolt in without modification. Nice.


Image
Guy who helped me install the case was pretty nervous about not reconnecting all these sensors. Told him to "trust me".


Image
Should I be concerned about the "clean spot" on the rear driveshaft? This is with the van on its wheels. Is it too short or is it just clean from compression under load?


Image
Here's my one "new" bit, a bracket to mount a microswitch to tell the ECU when I'm in 4Lo.


Image
And after adjustment and painting.

Image
It'll mount here under the shift-cable bracket and close when the selector lever is pulled 100%.


Image
Like so.


Image
I fretted this whole shift linkage for WAAAY too long. Dean had it all figured out.


Image
A single hole in the floor takes the cable up to the cabin.

Image
Oddly enough, the best tool for tightening this end of the linkage ended up being my small basin wrench. A crow's foot wrench would have worked too...


Image
In the cabin, just a single, tidy hole. Still looking for a nice plate to top this off. The rubber bush at floor level should be just right to trap something decorative there.


Image
Connect to the shift lever, and I'm mechanically done.


Image
Next comes the electrical. I haven't seen much of this, so I'll try to describe: Disconnect the battery. Unlock the ECU.


Image
Remove the appropriate connector. In my case, C2 is the "Green" block (versus the Blue block). Carefully remove the plastic cover on the back of the plug to expose the insertion end.


Image
And use a pin insertion tool to add the missing wire. (Connector 2, Terminal 16, for '01-'05 vans). There's an orange rubber "gasket" that fills the hole for the pin. You can use the insertion tool to just push the new terminal right past this.


Image
You can just make out the insertion tool in the block. Remove the tool and tug on the wire to make sure the terminal is seated.


Image
I didn't have any un-crimped connectors of the right size, so I just harvested a short lead from this DB25 cable adapter. (The white block on the right was originally the inside portion of a CAT5 connector)


Image
Then I soldered this little lead to the end of the hookup wire I ran from the switch end of things. I ran the wire along the same run I used for the #2 jumper cables I used to connect the house battery, since they followed a convenient path. Right about now is when my wife came home. Always makes her nervous to see my soldering iron sitting in an engine bay... After testing that the switch correctly grounded the pin at the terminal block, I re-inserted the connector to the ECU (observing the warnings about not over-torquing that bolt!). Unfortunately, haven't actually tested 4-Lo shift behavior yet! Need to do that this weekend...

Last step will be to apply the Z71/4x4 stickers on the rear quarters of the van. Need to wait for better weather, though.
"My minivan is cooler than your bro-truck"
2003 Astro AWD Astrolander/ZMB - GTRV Top Transplant, 4" OLV Lift, NP233 T-case, evolving interior
1995 Safari GTRV Organ donor - gutted and gone.
Image

photo_van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 592
Joined: Wed May 18, 2011 4:38 pm
Location: 7000' in the Mountains of California
Been thanked: 3 times

Re: NP233 electric shift to manual shift swap

Post by photo_van »

nice job on the micro switch! I wouldn't worry too much about the driveshaft; mine has a lot more shiny then that and hasn't fallen off... yet 8-[ Also; what year and model vehicle was your t-case?
1998 AWD/4WD
4" lift, 31x10.50's, NP 242j/c hybrid, 4.10 gears, S10 front disconnect, rack & pinion steering, trans cooler, rock sliders, ARB fridge, house battery and 100w solar, swing out rear rack with foldout camp table, bed and passenger swivel chair
dirt bag camping rig
1981 Toyota 4x4 pu
1974 John Deere 710
User avatar

Herbie
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 674
Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:45 am
Location: San Diego, CA
Has thanked: 12 times
Been thanked: 4 times
Contact:

Re: NP233 electric shift to manual shift swap

Post by Herbie »

photo_van wrote:nice job on the micro switch! I wouldn't worry too much about the driveshaft; mine has a lot more shiny then that and hasn't fallen off... yet 8-[ Also; what year and model vehicle was your t-case?
Thanks! According to Dean upthread, it's from a 2000 Blazer LS 2 door.
"My minivan is cooler than your bro-truck"
2003 Astro AWD Astrolander/ZMB - GTRV Top Transplant, 4" OLV Lift, NP233 T-case, evolving interior
1995 Safari GTRV Organ donor - gutted and gone.
Image
User avatar

Stroverlander
I sleep in my van
Posts: 308
Joined: Fri Dec 16, 2011 4:18 pm

Re: NP233 electric shift to manual shift swap

Post by Stroverlander »

Nice work! It's always great to see photos of the process, especially the electrical. Looking forward to reading about how it works for you.
2004 Astro LT AWD Stroverlander

Topic author
LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 4379
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: NP233 electric shift to manual shift swap

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Excellent install! I do like the addition of the low range switch. That would never last around here due to the massive amount of salt we use on the roads. Plus I didn't need low range for any more than plowing snow so 1st gear was enough for me. I wouldn't worry about the shiny portion on the rear driveshaft. That will slide in/out as you wheel it. Unless the rear axle falls completely off the van, it'll never slide out. Nice thing with the NP233 t-case is you can use basic tranny fluid! No Auto Trac 2 needed.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
User avatar

Herbie
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 674
Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:45 am
Location: San Diego, CA
Has thanked: 12 times
Been thanked: 4 times
Contact:

Re: NP233 electric shift to manual shift swap

Post by Herbie »

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:Nice thing with the NP233 t-case is you can use basic tranny fluid! No Auto Trac 2 needed.
Oops. I used the AT2 (already on hand). Any problem with it, or just wasted a bit of money?

Need to add once more: Thanks again for all the great work! I was always going to swap in a new T case, but you sure made it easy. ;-)
"My minivan is cooler than your bro-truck"
2003 Astro AWD Astrolander/ZMB - GTRV Top Transplant, 4" OLV Lift, NP233 T-case, evolving interior
1995 Safari GTRV Organ donor - gutted and gone.
Image

Topic author
LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 4379
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: NP233 electric shift to manual shift swap

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

I don't think there will be any issue using it, just extra cost. You are more than welcome! Thanks again for purchasing the setup off me! :supz:
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy

Sharkfox
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Jan 03, 2014 8:19 am

Re: NP233 electric shift to manual shift swap

Post by Sharkfox »

Thanks for all the information guys.
I just bought an NP233 transfer case out of a 2000 Blazer and will be installing it with a manual shift lever in the next weekend or two. I think I have the shifter and linkage worked out but I am looking for some clarification on the wiring.
From what I can tell, you only plug in the VSS wire in the tailshaft of the transfer case. What do you do with the other connectors from the NP136? Did you end up pulling the fuse for the AWD under the hood?
I'm trying to cover all my bases ahead of time so the swap is relatively painless so any additional info would be greatly appreciated.
Post Reply