SoK66

The OT was an early chain-driven TC, and most came without a low range,
which was an option. Because of the latter issue they are best avaoieded
unless you plan on nothing more than some trips to the store in snow. The
few CJs sold with the the QT also came with an offset rear differential,
making it a PITA to convert to a std D300. In that case you have to swap in
a differnt rear axle, etc.

In later years the Grand Cherokee & Cherokee full time xfer case included
low range and has been a fairly good box.


"Lee Ayrton" <layrton@panix.com> wrote in message
news:di4dor$kvf$1@reader1.panix.com...
> Word in the 1970s was that the Quadratrac, a chain-drive transfer case,
> came from the factory with a crying towel. These two sites have a more
> sympathetic opinion:
>
> <URL:http://home.off-road.com/~jseries/BWQT.html>
> <URL:http://www.t-r-j.com/Auto/QT/quadratrac.htm>
>
>
>
> Carl wrote:
>> A friend is considering the purchase of a late 70's FSJ. Apparently, it's
>> got full-time 4wd with the quadratrac t-case. I've heard mixed reviews on
>> the quadratrac. Is this a good t-case? He does intend to wheel this rig,
>> probably will never go over 33-35" tires.
>>
>> Carl

SoK66

The OT was an early chain-driven TC, and most came without a low range,
which was an option. Because of the latter issue they are best avaoieded
unless you plan on nothing more than some trips to the store in snow. The
few CJs sold with the the QT also came with an offset rear differential,
making it a PITA to convert to a std D300. In that case you have to swap in
a differnt rear axle, etc.

In later years the Grand Cherokee & Cherokee full time xfer case included
low range and has been a fairly good box.


"Lee Ayrton" <layrton@panix.com> wrote in message
news:di4dor$kvf$1@reader1.panix.com...
> Word in the 1970s was that the Quadratrac, a chain-drive transfer case,
> came from the factory with a crying towel. These two sites have a more
> sympathetic opinion:
>
> <URL:http://home.off-road.com/~jseries/BWQT.html>
> <URL:http://www.t-r-j.com/Auto/QT/quadratrac.htm>
>
>
>
> Carl wrote:
>> A friend is considering the purchase of a late 70's FSJ. Apparently, it's
>> got full-time 4wd with the quadratrac t-case. I've heard mixed reviews on
>> the quadratrac. Is this a good t-case? He does intend to wheel this rig,
>> probably will never go over 33-35" tires.
>>
>> Carl

SoK66

The OT was an early chain-driven TC, and most came without a low range,
which was an option. Because of the latter issue they are best avaoieded
unless you plan on nothing more than some trips to the store in snow. The
few CJs sold with the the QT also came with an offset rear differential,
making it a PITA to convert to a std D300. In that case you have to swap in
a differnt rear axle, etc.

In later years the Grand Cherokee & Cherokee full time xfer case included
low range and has been a fairly good box.


"Lee Ayrton" <layrton@panix.com> wrote in message
news:di4dor$kvf$1@reader1.panix.com...
> Word in the 1970s was that the Quadratrac, a chain-drive transfer case,
> came from the factory with a crying towel. These two sites have a more
> sympathetic opinion:
>
> <URL:http://home.off-road.com/~jseries/BWQT.html>
> <URL:http://www.t-r-j.com/Auto/QT/quadratrac.htm>
>
>
>
> Carl wrote:
>> A friend is considering the purchase of a late 70's FSJ. Apparently, it's
>> got full-time 4wd with the quadratrac t-case. I've heard mixed reviews on
>> the quadratrac. Is this a good t-case? He does intend to wheel this rig,
>> probably will never go over 33-35" tires.
>>
>> Carl

Hootowl

On Wed, 5 Oct 2005 18:02:23 -0700, "Carl"
<carlsaiyed@REMOVE.hotmail.com> wrote:

>A friend is considering the purchase of a late 70's FSJ. Apparently, it's
>got full-time 4wd with the quadratrac t-case. I've heard mixed reviews on
>the quadratrac. Is this a good t-case? He does intend to wheel this rig,
>probably will never go over 33-35" tires.
>
>Carl

My '77 Cherokee Chief has Quadratrac, with the gear reduction unit.
At 267,000 miles, it's about to get it's third Quadratrac chain.
That's with everyday use in town, and traveling, often with a 4200lb
boat behind it, through mountains. People who do a lot of off-roading
seem to have to replace that chain (technically called a link belt)
about every 30,000 miles or so. It may start jumping teeth in a
sudden hard pull, but they never actually break. It requires a
special lubricant available only from Jeep dealers (unless something
has changed). About 8 bucks a quart, but it lasts a LONG time. These
transfer cases are not prone to leaks, from my experience, and last
forever. Back in the 70' and 80's, everyone who tried using a
different brand of limited slip lube had to replace their chains right
at 10,000 miles, so a word to the wise. And another word to the
wise-that CV joint at the case end of the front drive shaft MUST be
kept properly lubed - it's only about an inch from the side to the
transmission, and if it throws, the transmission case is a common
victim. It the Jeep in question has the GM TH-400 tranny, that
Jeep-special round case is especially hard to come by (they can
usually be welded). If it has the Chrysler 727 Torqueflite tranny,
there may still be a few readily available. Beefed up 727's are
available (or were as of about 8 years ago), but still are not as
stout as the TH-400.
>

Hootowl

On Wed, 5 Oct 2005 18:02:23 -0700, "Carl"
<carlsaiyed@REMOVE.hotmail.com> wrote:

>A friend is considering the purchase of a late 70's FSJ. Apparently, it's
>got full-time 4wd with the quadratrac t-case. I've heard mixed reviews on
>the quadratrac. Is this a good t-case? He does intend to wheel this rig,
>probably will never go over 33-35" tires.
>
>Carl

My '77 Cherokee Chief has Quadratrac, with the gear reduction unit.
At 267,000 miles, it's about to get it's third Quadratrac chain.
That's with everyday use in town, and traveling, often with a 4200lb
boat behind it, through mountains. People who do a lot of off-roading
seem to have to replace that chain (technically called a link belt)
about every 30,000 miles or so. It may start jumping teeth in a
sudden hard pull, but they never actually break. It requires a
special lubricant available only from Jeep dealers (unless something
has changed). About 8 bucks a quart, but it lasts a LONG time. These
transfer cases are not prone to leaks, from my experience, and last
forever. Back in the 70' and 80's, everyone who tried using a
different brand of limited slip lube had to replace their chains right
at 10,000 miles, so a word to the wise. And another word to the
wise-that CV joint at the case end of the front drive shaft MUST be
kept properly lubed - it's only about an inch from the side to the
transmission, and if it throws, the transmission case is a common
victim. It the Jeep in question has the GM TH-400 tranny, that
Jeep-special round case is especially hard to come by (they can
usually be welded). If it has the Chrysler 727 Torqueflite tranny,
there may still be a few readily available. Beefed up 727's are
available (or were as of about 8 years ago), but still are not as
stout as the TH-400.
>

Hootowl

On Wed, 5 Oct 2005 18:02:23 -0700, "Carl"
<carlsaiyed@REMOVE.hotmail.com> wrote:

>A friend is considering the purchase of a late 70's FSJ. Apparently, it's
>got full-time 4wd with the quadratrac t-case. I've heard mixed reviews on
>the quadratrac. Is this a good t-case? He does intend to wheel this rig,
>probably will never go over 33-35" tires.
>
>Carl

My '77 Cherokee Chief has Quadratrac, with the gear reduction unit.
At 267,000 miles, it's about to get it's third Quadratrac chain.
That's with everyday use in town, and traveling, often with a 4200lb
boat behind it, through mountains. People who do a lot of off-roading
seem to have to replace that chain (technically called a link belt)
about every 30,000 miles or so. It may start jumping teeth in a
sudden hard pull, but they never actually break. It requires a
special lubricant available only from Jeep dealers (unless something
has changed). About 8 bucks a quart, but it lasts a LONG time. These
transfer cases are not prone to leaks, from my experience, and last
forever. Back in the 70' and 80's, everyone who tried using a
different brand of limited slip lube had to replace their chains right
at 10,000 miles, so a word to the wise. And another word to the
wise-that CV joint at the case end of the front drive shaft MUST be
kept properly lubed - it's only about an inch from the side to the
transmission, and if it throws, the transmission case is a common
victim. It the Jeep in question has the GM TH-400 tranny, that
Jeep-special round case is especially hard to come by (they can
usually be welded). If it has the Chrysler 727 Torqueflite tranny,
there may still be a few readily available. Beefed up 727's are
available (or were as of about 8 years ago), but still are not as
stout as the TH-400.
>