Topic: 21 vs. 23 Spline

[Bender]

I'm sure it's been gone over before, but I'm not having much luck with the search.  Right now I've got dual cases with stock gearing in both.  I've got a 22RE, 5.29s and 37" MTRs.  My transfer case has started leaking like crazy and I think I must be starting to lose a bearing based on the racket it has made lately.  It's time to rebuild the thing.  If I'm going to go to the trouble I might as well upgrade to the 4.7s (especially since they're on sale).   

Here's my question.  On the webpage it looks like the 23 spline input is recommended.  My guess is that I have 21 spline.  I'd like to keep this as affordable as possible so I don't want to get a new adapter if I don't have to.  By changing the gears I won't be adding anymore stress to the input of the transfer case will I?  If I've been fine with the 21s this far I should be fine from now on right?  The 4.7s will multiply the output torque, but not the input torque right?  The input torque to the transfer case is based on the crawler right?  How is everyone else doing with 21 spline dual cases?

Thanks in advance!

[Shamb]

instead of going to all the trouble of swapping to 23 spline.. I say leave it 21 spline. Obviously its holding up well thus far right?  IF for some reason you bust a shaft.. Longfield makes a chromoly replacement which should stand up to the beating.

I've been running 21 spline dual 2.28's for around 4 years now and havn't had a problem. I'm going to be in the same boat as you soon though because the rear output shaft leaks like crazy and I have a feeling it might be a bearing.

[Bender [OP]]

I'm going to be in the same boat as you soon though because the rear output shaft leaks like crazy and I have a feeling it might be a bearing.

Thanks.  Sounds like we're in almost exactly the same boat.  My rear output is the leaker as well.