xfer case linkage

[verdesardog]

I have seen more than one thread about the transfer case shift linkage problems with the rubber grommet so knowing the rubber looses it's elasticity (gets hard) as it ages and my truck is 12 years old I decided to do something about it before it starts to fall off.

Two standard heim joints with 3/8 24 male threads, 4 washers, 2 3/8" nuts, 2 3/8 24 nylock nuts and one rod with 3/8 24 female threads on each end.
It would be best to measure the OEM linkage so that you can get the correct length rod. I got my joints and rod from McMaster Carr and the washers and nuts at Ace.



The holes for the grommets are quite large, luckily both ends are the same. I cut a slice off of a nut to use as a spacer. The one on the transfer case needs to be a bit thinner than the one on the linkage handle.



It is a lot tighter than the rubber mounted linkage and will take a bit of getting used to for smoother shifts.LOL

[EasyDoesIt]

Nice work man. Something simple and fewer things to worry about on the trail.

[RustyPW]

Nice work.

[PWJouster]

the stiffer that link, the harsher the input into the shift rod and shift linkage.

how aggressively does your shift lever move now under load and articulation?
the play in that linkage must be there for a reason. although the reliability of your link is substantially beneficial.

[trk4sale]

You will find that a lot more noise and vibration will now be transferred into the cab without the rubber grommets to isolate the metal parts.
I know that at least one person on this forum went back to the grommets because of the noise, but I put up with it because the grommets failed at a bad time for me and I don't want it to happen again.

[verdesardog]

Yeah, I haven't driven it yet because of low vision due to cataract surgery. I did think about the noise issue, I guess I'll see soon enough. I'm going in for my new glasses prescription this morning.

[Reloaderguy]

I went back to grommets because of the noise but I have a different transfer case with different linkage. If you get noise you can try a rubber dampener on the rod.

[verdesardog]

Took it for a drive today, couldn't hear any difference than before

[Low_Sky]

Guys that have had vibration/noise complaints, what kind of rod ends did you use? The cheap ones without liners, steel ball on steel rod end? Or did you pay up for ball joints with Teflon liners?

[Colibri]

I did Teflon lined rod ends and don’t have any increase in noise or vibration at all

[verdesardog]

The ones I have have pre lubed bronze bearings

[trk4sale]

Guys that have had vibration/noise complaints, what kind of rod ends did you use? The cheap ones without liners, steel ball on steel rod end? Or did you pay up for ball joints with Teflon liners?

I'm not sure. There was a write-up here a few years ago with the needed parts and part numbers so I just ordered the same stuff from Summit Racing. The noise is not terrible, but I can definitely hear it more than before.

[TwinStick]

Nice work !

IMHO, reliability trumps comfort EVERY time when Murphy comes knocking at your door.

[Colibri]

To the guys that have done this and have a noticeable increase in noise and/or vibration, try adjusting the linkage so there’s about 1/8-1/4” free play in it. That’s how I set mine up when I came up with the mod and it hasn’t increased nvh at all on my truck. The trucks newer than 3rd gens I can’t speak to as I understand their linkages are much shorter, but any NV271 truck should be good