Astro | Safari 4x4 Swap: NP136 to NP233C Transfer Case R&R

[@kevinhornbuckle]

I like your work methods. Thorough. Also, your narration voice is easy to follow.

[@alwaysgoodinthewoods]

Thanks! I try to show the stuff others may leave out, the stuff I like to see 😁 This was one of the first few videos I used a mic in, I think it did me some favors 😅 I wont lie it took me awhile to get use to talking to the camera and hearing myself, its a bit of a strange thing especially when editing. Really appreciate the comment! Appreciate the comment!

[@Joseph-br9tq]

That gasket made me laugh so hard

[@alwaysgoodinthewoods]

The t case to trans gasket? I had one on order ..but then realized it didnt even have one in there to begin with 😅 the "shop" that rebuilt my transmission just used rtv and I was anxious to get the t case in, I didnt even have the shifter kit when I decided to do the swap 🤣 just drove around in 2 wheel for a week or 2

[@B-radT5]

Up in Canada eh. I live near Edmonton.

[@alwaysgoodinthewoods]

@B-radT5 Hey neighbor! Yep just over in southern Ontario unfortunately. Good access to parts but terrible for any offroading. Thanks for the comment and stopping by 😁

[@kenclinton4881]

Maybe i missed it but whats the difference in the 2 cases and why did you swap them? Thx

[@KollynJ]

If my 4l60 burns out is this the best thing to do? Just need to grab a 4wd 4l60\65?

[@TheKingfonz]

Can this be done on the 2wd models???

[@jimlatorra2693]

Can this be done with the Chevy express AWD van also?

[@alwaysgoodinthewoods]

It can, but unfortunately it is quite a bit more involved and requires a lot more parts than the Astros/Safaris. I admittedly don't know much about the express/savanna vans and have never even seen an AWD in person, but from doing a bit of reading online there are kits available, as well as companies like Quigley that do the conversions. timberlinesupply.com/products/chevrolet-express-gmc-savana-ifs-4x4-conversion-kit-2003-current-standard This site seems to be well setup and has some good info. Thanks for the watching and the comment!

[@Space-br1pc]

does the safari have to be awd, or can you do this with a rwd?

[@alwaysgoodinthewoods]

Anything can be done, but it is best to start with any year awd van. At bare minimum you would need the subframe, transmission, transfer case, front drive shaft, front diff, axles, hubs, control arms, etc on a rwd van. Where as with an awd model, you just need to swap the transfer case(front drive shaft 98 and down) and either buy/make a way to shift it through 2 hi, 4 hi, 4 lo. Either a journeys kit or some have come up with crafty linkages and cables on their own. Thanks for watching!

[@Roolis77]

Hello , didnt you have issues with front shaft clearance ? I had to put some spacers 5 mm under the TC rubber pillow so that front shaft does not tear into crossmember of the subframe ? Another question before I start any drive- I cannot recognise shifters positions I mean which position of shifter is which driving mode? So Far I can find only two positions . In my opinion if i move shifter on TC max to backwards it will be 2WD, then I can move only one position to forward and it seems to engage front wheels , but if it is 4wd high or 4 wd low I dont understand.. I assume it should be 3 positions , but so far I can find only two. Please help? Also when to shift it when standing in D or N or P mode of gearbox? Can I shift it while driving? I dont want to make mess :). please help. Appreciate

[@alwaysgoodinthewoods]

I have seen others have that front shaft clearance issue but I have a good fingers width, my trans mount is new but no spacers, I think it has to do with the t case adapter that goes between the trans and the tcase, but as far as I know mine is original to the van, but there are different ones for the chev trucks. Not sure why I have good clearance and others don't I will show and mention it in a video update. It sounds like you are only going from 2WD to 4WD high. So looking at the shaft on the transfer case all the way "back" or clockwise is 2wd, then the next notch "forward" or (counter clockwise) is 4wd high, which is what is sounds like you are bouncing between, then finally all the way "forward" (all the way counter clockwise), is 4 low and it is quite hard to get into and should ONLY be done in neutral, sometimes coasting slightly helps. Hope this helps I was going to make my own linkage but ended up getting the journeys kit when I realized how hard 4 low really is to get into.

[@Roolis77]

@@alwaysgoodinthewoods Thank You. Maybe you are right I got my TC with adapter from Blazer .. so I decided not to switch to my own because i had no proper seal .. so I used all from Chevrolet Blazer. With regards to shifting - all clear . I am just wonder why while TC was not connected I could move shifter clockwise much further ..I even had to grind off some metal from shifter so it can go back words all the way . But now After I connected it no longer goes to previous position , clock wise.. very strange , that is why I started panicing. Also my shifter moves clockwise with very light finger touch ... I am afraid it will be switching back to 2wd due to vibration.. any suggestions? Appreciate

[@alwaysgoodinthewoods]

@@Roolis77 Hmm it shouldn't be THAT easy to shift out of 2WD, I just put up a new video that shows shifting through the ranges as well as the front shaft clearance with the journeys kit. Take a look and compare hopefully that helps!

[@angelasebella279]

Do what with the mismatched plugs?

[@alwaysgoodinthewoods]

Which plug? Speed sensor plug? You leave the front one disconnected and the rear replacement connector comes with the journeys kit or you can get one off a truck in the junk yard. If you mean the front plug that doesnt go to anything now, I tore the finger off a disposable glove and put that over the connector, then sealed with a zip tie to keep gunk from getting in and zip tied it up out of the way.

[@slapaho1589]

Wrong fluid for your np233c

[@Mmusicmann2000]

Correct.. NP233C uses standard ATF.. not AutoTrac II

[@gregorybell7301]

AutoTrac won’t hurt though it’s just not needed being clutchless.

[@alwaysgoodinthewoods]

Wrong transfer case for the van 😉 I explain in the video that the fluid is practically new, and will not hurt the manual transfer case, it will get regular ATF when I change it next.

[@addvancedgarage]

You canadian der eh? I'm down in Wisco

[@alwaysgoodinthewoods]

Haha yep! Hey neighbor! I definitely notice my canadian accent come through in some of the videos, ya know? 😅

[@fagica]

I noticed when you mentioned KM instead of miles. @@alwaysgoodinthewoods