Which wiring harness do I need?

[Rhiggs8114]

Hi people, I am new to Jeeps. Just bought a project 1997 TJ with the 2.5 and manual transmission. The transfer case blew out and when it did, the front drive line grabbed a bunch of wires and had its way with them. I am trying to figure out which harness I need to purchase. I see harnesses for the dash, the engine bay, and a harness referred to as a cross body, and as a tub harness. Which harness is it that goes to the transfer case, and on back to the rear of the jeep?
Thanks for your help. I am looking forward to playing with my new hobby.

 

[Chris]

I'll ask @mrblaine. I know he's dealt with enough wiring harnesses before to give you sound advice.

 

[mrblaine]

Hi people, I am new to Jeeps. Just bought a project 1997 TJ with the 2.5 and manual transmission. The transfer case blew out and when it did, the front drive line grabbed a bunch of wires and had its way with them. I am trying to figure out which harness I need to purchase. I see harnesses for the dash, the engine bay, and a harness referred to as a cross body, and as a tub harness. Which harness is it that goes to the transfer case, and on back to the rear of the jeep?
Thanks for your help. I am looking forward to playing with my new hobby.

Follow the wires to the fuse block (PDC) and see if they are attached to it. When you say "blew out", do you mean it blew the case in half?

 

[Rhiggs8114]

Follow the wires to the fuse block (PDC) and see if they are attached to it. When you say "blew out", do you mean it blew the case in half?

The transfer case blew apart. The chain sprocket is still attached to the front driveline. Pretty impressive looking actually. Thanks for the response.

 

[mrblaine]

The transfer case blew apart. The chain sprocket is still attached to the front driveline. Pretty impressive looking actually. Thanks for the response.

FYI- the most common cause of that failure is the double cardan joint in the front driveshaft seized up and the high force angular misalignment blew the case apart. Just in case you thought the front driveshaft might be able to be used once a new case is back in.

 

[Rhiggs8114]

FYI- the most common cause of that failure is the double cardan joint in the front driveshaft seized up and the high force angular misalignment blew the case apart. Just in case you thought the front driveshaft might be able to be used once a new case is back in.

Do I need to replace the entire driveshaft, or just the cardan U joints?

Thanks

 

[mrblaine]

Do I need to replace the entire driveshaft, or just the cardan U joints?

Thanks

You have to rebuild the double cardan which generally requires a new centering ball.

 

[macleanflood]

Gotta see pictures of the carnage!

Seriously any harnesses you locate will be used and you're just trading the devil you know with the devil you don't.

Send some pictures of the damage.

The rear transmission harness has things like the fuel pump, rear O2 sensor, reverse light, 4x4 light and speedo.

It's not a ton of wires to splice and patch.

-Mac

 

[mrblaine]

It's not a ton of wires to splice and patch.

-Mac

A gent with a YJ we used to wheel with in JV missed missing one of the bomb craters on the lakebed at speed. The suspension bottoming out jarred his harness loose that went over the driveshaft. When it stopped, there was a ball of wire about the size of a football wrapped around the front driveshaft. Better to start over at that point. I suspect this one also pulled a bunch of wires out from places never to be identified again as to where they came from.

 

[Rhiggs8114]

A gent with a YJ we used to wheel with in JV missed missing one of the bomb craters on the lakebed at speed. The suspension bottoming out jarred his harness loose that went over the driveshaft. When it stopped, there was a ball of wire about the size of a football wrapped around the front driveshaft. Better to start over at that point. I suspect this one also pulled a bunch of wires out from places never to be identified again as to where they came from.

Exactly. I work with electronics everyday. I would not want to try to patch this together, especially living where we get over 70" of rain, and 70" of snow a year. Water will find a way in to the connectors.