On or around Wed, 24 Nov 2004 20:51:24 -0000, "k" enlightened us thusly:
aha. that's the bit I can't do, no. late N would probably make it a
1997-built vehicle? trouble is, about then is when they started doing it.That bit's true, I reckon. Seen pictures, you get rusty 'orrible looking crud in the end of the gear/shaft. Also, by removing the PTO plate at the top/back of the transfer box, you can see the end of the shaft and the gear
- by moving the vehicle back and fore slightly, you can look for play.
Always change the oil. intervals are 24K miles, ISTR, and either ATF or SAE75 synthetic gear oil. The latter makes for slightly stiff shifting when it's stone cold, but otherwise seems to perform well. Don't put SAE90 in it :-)
but yeah, if it's smooth and quiet it's OK. FSVO quiet, mind - transmission whine is common; later ones have a Transfer box designated LT230Q which is for Quiet - different gear teeth, I'm given to understand.
If yours has the cross-drilled gear it should be OK. However, the oil feeder is not expensive, and appears to be beneficial - it can't do any harm, as far as I know.