[WimpTech]

AWD TCase is removed for this mod, so its manual shift 2HI, 4HI with neutral shift, 4LO with neutral shift and not moving, just like a Jeep. As far as max speed.. weeeeell probably wanna avoid that as much as possible, many here have that mod and will chime in soon.

EDIT:

TnB beat me to it, so yeah that too.

 

[TurnNburn]

And depending on what year, make and model of jeep you have, the New Process 233 was used in jeeps as well so you might have more experience with it then you think

As far as top speed in 4 lo... I would have to put it around 15 ish mph. I have never tested it out that fast but it does run through the gears pretty fast.

 

[Stroverlander]

So I'm a little confused, and don't see any good description anywhere. I'm also not that familiar with transfer cases - BUT I really want 4x4 capability, AWD is okay but not great for Michigan winters/offroad camping/etc.

So after you install the kit with a 233C from an S10, how does everything work? Is everything normal, automatic, AWD kicks in when it wants, etc? Then you just put it in neutral at a stop and shift into High4 or Low4? Are there speed restrictions to the 4x4? I'm coming from Jeeps, relatively new to this part of the Astro/Safari world. Any help appreciated, thanks!

Not sure why you would say AWD isn't great for Michigan winters, especially on road as that is precisely what you would want along with good, preferably snow tires. Sure, off-road having 4-hi and 4-lo is nice but on road, AWD is definitely beneficial and why when I'd prefer a swap to a 2-speed t-case like the 236 that still has AWD mode along with other modes.

The 233 swap is mechanical shift vs push button like 236 so some prefer it for it's simplicity and reliability, definitely more suited to just off-road use vs the 236 that also has on-demand AWD mode like your stock 136 t-case.

 

[dramey]

I don't understand the AWD not good for Michigan either. I have a 97 Astro Van AWD and in the winter I run studded snow tires. Alaska is a lot more harsh on winters than Michigan and I can drive around in 2 feet of snow with zero problems.

 

[WimpTech]

My experience on icy roads in an AWD is minimal, but that BatVan was difficult to get to even break loose let alone slide around. Liked it better than my Jeeps on ice actually.
:2:

 

[Stroverlander]

I don't understand the AWD not good for Michigan either. I have a 97 Astro Van AWD and in the winter I run studded snow tires. Alaska is a lot more harsh on winters than Michigan and I can drive around in 2 feet of snow with zero problems.

I concur, had studded Nokian snows on my '97 (non G80 rear) and never got stuck or really even lost traction without trying. Was awesome on icy roads, icy slush/ruts and deep snowdrift across roads. :thumbup:

 

[raypennachio]

I always shift mine into neutral before I change ranges

I went offroading with a pack of jeeps, and boy was it nice to not only not get stuck (some decent hill climbing/mud/water) but to not have to lay on the dirt to change ranges like the infamous jeep problem

I also cannot wait to drive through deep snow with mine

 

[LAZ 1]

I just picked up a 233C for the notorious Tcase swap.
Got mine for $25 Canadian. Looked clean and no bearing play on the input shaft. Came out of a 92 S10 ... the nice young man assured me he only tried 4WD off road once or twice. But Tthen talked about how he wanted to TURBO the V6.
Hmmmm?

Possible "Genuine bargain"?
Possible "sow's ear???

However,
after a day of rolling around on the floor of my 99 Safari, gear oil is pretty well saturated into my carpet.

A definite "oh sh!t" experience.
What was I thinking??

Anyhow,
My 233C came with a u-jt yoke on the front output shaft. I am hoping all I have to do is unbolt the yoke to have the correct shaft for the Safari slip joint fitting.

Please PLEASE tell me this is so and that I don't need to crack the case and change front output shafts.
PLEASE!!

PS: SO what would happen if I installed the 233C BEFORE getting the JOURNEY shift kit? Could I drive around without any electric shift control? Best guess as to what range the Tcase would be in?? 2WD? 4 HI? 4 LO?
OR the dreaded NEUTRAL??
Thanks
" Enquiring minds need to know.

 

[jmderyke]

Unfortunately you need a slip yoke on the front that the cv drive shaft slides onto. Other thing is a must is a 32 spline output shaft.
Make sure you keep the speedo pick up in the 233c and try to get the connector with it to splice and replace the one on the astro.
Journeys offroad has a everything you need to know in there how to section of there website.

Ps yes you can install the transfer case without the linkage and the electrical disconnected besides the speedo sensor.

 

[jmderyke]

Theres no neutral on the 233c first click 2wd middle 4h third 4l.
If you have a pick n pull type salvage yard up there it's the best way to pick up one of these. One huge look out situation on the 233c when looking for a donor, make sure the
transferfer case wasn't stuck in 4wd. The electronic shift motor fail often and sometimes in 4wd so people would just drive around like that killing the transfercase. Other test is when it's out use a screw driver put it into 4wd and rotate the shafts and check for chain slop

 

[akforceten]

as far as the speed sensor goes all I did was pull the Astro one out and install it into the 233c. Then while in the wrecking yard I looked for a suitable shifter so I can manual the t case

 

[raypennachio]

Low range is totally worth it :chevy:

 

[Meterpig]

To be clear, the transmission comes electric and one is actuating a selector under the solenoid. It was never a manual tcase to begin with.

 

[LAZ 1]

Wellllll ....
My el cheapo $25 used 233 transfer case checked out good. Had the transmission shop install new seals and it is ready to go in.

BUT ...

I have not ordered the Journey OR shift kit yet.

I am considering swapping in the transfer case ASAP, and adding in the JRO shift kit later.

Will it be more difficult to add the shift kit on to the 233 after it is bolted up and in place instead of out and just sitting there on the ground?

What will happen if I leave the 233 Encoder motor off for a while?

What gear will the Transfer case default to? I can be happy with 2WD for a while, but 4 LOW would not be good.

Can I shift by crawling under and using a wrench?

What happens in 4 LOW to the computer controlling rpm/ fuel mix if the wiring is not updated?

OR
should I just exercise PATIENCE and wait till I have the JOR shift kit on hand before doing the transfer case swap?

Note: patience is NOT my strongest virtue.
.thanks
Larry Z

 

[raypennachio]

Remove the motor, you can manually place the transfer case in 2wd for the time

I don't know how hard it will be to put in the JOR kit after its installed but we did exactly that in my dad's van, so we will be dealing with it later.
Right now it's just installed, motor off, in 2wd

 

[raypennachio]

Also advanced auto sells the correct adapter for the speedometer. You NEED that.

It's listed as a lamp socket or something

 

[LAZ 1]

THANKS.
Hoping to hear from some who installed the Tcase and then the JOURNEY kit after.
(;-{)

 

[TahoeMoto]

Hello fellow astro/safarians! Quick question: I just did the 233 swap on my 2003 astro and it is absolutely ripping through todays blizzard in Tahoe but what I’d like to know is, do any of you shift into 4hi on the fly? I saw one guy on here saying it was fine, but others seem to stick to the neutral-at-a-stop method as per Journeys’ included instructions. Don’t wanna blow my new t-case but it would certainly be convenient to throw it into 4wd whilst driving.

 

[Mmusicman]

do any of you shift into 4hi on the fly?

Yes.. it is perfectly fine to shift in/out of 4hi on the fly.
I've even done it at highway speeds. Goes in/out easy.. no problem.