Smokin' Tranny!

stadler · #1 (**permalink**) 11-13-2009, 05:30 PM

I bought an '89 Wagoneer today. It was stuck in 4wd and the seller said it would not shift out of first.

The tow truck driver lifted it by the rear and put it in neutral. About 1/2 mile from my house it started dripping smoking oil from the transmission case. The gear selector will no longer move out of neutral. Does anybody know what happened?

xjmarc · #2 (**permalink**) 11-13-2009, 11:00 PM

You said it was stuck in 4 wheel drive and I assume you meant the t-case. Then you said he put it in neutral again I'll assume the trans this time which means the t-case was still engaged and turning which will still turn the trans. Good chance both got smoked. Next time use a roll back.

Bounty__Hunter · #3 (**permalink**) 11-14-2009, 07:22 AM

Smoked the transfer case at a minimum since it was left in 4wd.

taz · #4 (**permalink**) 11-14-2009, 08:00 AM

Just because the rear was lifted.the front was still locked in an turning.which toasted it.same thing happen to my friends 78 jeep.toasted front axle an trans .up side is,its a jeep thing.tear it up,repair it,an break it again.repeat over an over.Still lovin ur jeep

stadler · #5 (**permalink**) 11-14-2009, 10:14 AM

I've got some literature on the way, but how bad is the 727 to rebuild? I've never done a transmission before.

I just crawled under to check it out. The front seal is loose. The transfer is a New Process Gear 229.

John B · #6 (**permalink**) 11-14-2009, 11:52 AM

the 727 is a easy tranny to rebuild you just need the right tools to do it like several snap ring pliers i have never done it but that's what i have friends for. i do the motor stuff and they do the tranny work. just call a tranny rebuild shop to see what tools you need. i would buy a book, or too save you some time and effort and to make sure its done right i would have a shop do it.

carnuck · #7 (**permalink**) 11-18-2009, 02:19 AM

727 is one of the easiest to build. If the NP229 is shot, a NP208 (Jeep) is stronger and locked front to back all the time except 2wd

Low Ranger · #8 (**permalink**) 11-29-2009, 02:26 PM

Too bad that it was trashed like that, was the towtruck driver a friend or something? He should have known better. I know it's been a while now, but I'd go back to him and start asking questions.

stadler · #9 (**permalink**) 12-01-2009, 08:49 AM

Um, no, the tow truck driver was not a friend. I called and asked that he pay for the damage he caused and I don't expect he'll be real proactive about that. I'll send the bill and when its not payed I'll go to court. I hope they rule in my favor and the guy pays.

The bummer is that I was planning of doing the minor work the vehicle needed myself, and now I might have to pay someone to rebuild the tranny just to have some legitimate paper work in court.

54cj3b · #10 (**permalink**) 12-01-2009, 09:51 AM

Sounds like you cooked the trans/tranfercase prob cheaper to replace than rebuild any how , Id say find a nice donor s-10 P/U or blazer and use the whole drive train can find many for under $1500, in good running order plus get all those other goodies you could use all from the one donor than sell off what you dont use to recoop your costs and sell shell for scrap prob get back after selling off whats not needed and the shell for scrap and get back around $500. if you sell it right

or you could buy a used 727 or 904 to replace the bad one rebuilding transfer case is cake even for a pencil pusher lol 904 is a stronger trans anyhow could pick up a junk yard unit for about 3 bills in good working order

xjmarc · #11 (**permalink**) 12-01-2009, 12:15 PM

Good luck with the court thing, a buddy of mine lost a tranny because they towed it in neutral instead of putting the t-case in neutral. Most towing companies have a no fault clause in their contracts, that way you can't say they ruined something that was already broke. A few dishonest people ruin it for everybody.

stadler · #12 (**permalink**) 12-02-2009, 08:33 AM

Did I mention that when the driver got the Wagoneer to my house (smoking) he dropped it in the driveway, hopped in his cab, said, "No charge." and drove away?

I didn't sign a contract and he never left a receipt.

54cj3b · #13 (**permalink**) 12-02-2009, 12:53 PM

SOUNDS LIKE YOUR STUCK BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE
IN OTHER WORDS!!!!!!!
SCREWED

xjmarc · #14 (**permalink**) 12-02-2009, 02:04 PM

Like he said, you can't even prove he towed it. Screwed is putting it nicely. Looks like it's time to do a full build. I'm thinking not just tranny and t-case but axles, lift and big ole tars.

carnuck · #15 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 54cj3b

or you could buy a used 727 or 904 to replace the bad one rebuilding transfer case is cake even for a pencil pusher lol 904 is a stronger trans anyhow could pick up a junk yard unit for about 3 bills in good working order

I have to ask what you smoke, cuz 904 is 1/2 the strength of a 727 (must be good stuff!)

Depending what part of the country you are in, there are a lot of deals posted on the fsjparts@yahoogroups.com list

stadler · #16 (**permalink**) 12-06-2009, 11:36 AM

I looked at several Wagoneers and this body was the only one nearly rust free and I'm thinking about keeping it totally original. I've got the Torqueflite book coming and if it makes sense to me I'm going to rebuild the thing.

I'll check out fsjparts@yahoogroups.com

54cj3b · #17 (**permalink**) 12-06-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnuck

I have to ask what you smoke, cuz 904 is 1/2 the strength of a 727 (must be good stuff!)

Depending what part of the country you are in, there are a lot of deals posted on the fsjparts@yahoogroups.com list

Dependswhat gears used never blew a 904 if you use the chromoly gears hold up real good there a harder compound metal , i blew up more 727 than i can think of in my day

carnuck · #18 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 54cj3b

Dependswhat gears used never blew a 904 if you use the chromoly gears hold up real good there a harder compound metal , i blew up more 727 than i can think of in my day

There is a reason they never put the 904 behind a big block. I've killed several 727s as well, but you can get lots of aftermarket buildup stuff for them too (I like the lower first/second gear sets built by the racing guys in CA with a lockup converter with a medium stall speed)