Looks like about 80% of the c-clip is there
maybe 100% of the C-clip is there because it is not supposed to be a ring?
but the short set of splines(at least it looks like there were splines they are pretty much smooth. ) what are the short set set of splines for?
The splines that I know about are on the inner end of each half shaft and serve to couple the half shafts for rotation with the side gears. So if those splines are smooth, 4wd ain't gonna work.
If I was to get the new C-clips and put back together would my 4 wheel drive work? This is the short shaft on the driver side. Haven't made it to the passenger side yet to investigate.
Not if we are talking about the splines on the inner end of the half shaft. Also, the side gears, half shafts, and clips were upgraded with bigger clips and bigger grooves to receive them, so they won't pull out as easy.
Where is the 4hi 4lo transfer take place? Is it the front case or the back case off the transmission itself.
Nissan, quite appropriately, calls the gear box near the transmission that shifts between 4Hi and 4Lo the "transfer case." The aft end for the forward drive shaft (the rusty one) connects to the transfer case. The forward end of the forward drive shaft is conected to the front differential (this is the thing between the front wheels that the CV axles bolt up to and the half shafts pop out of). Nissan refers to this as "front final drive" although the rest of the known world refers to this as "front differential" because it contains gears that allow the front wheels to rotate at different speeds as you go around corners.
I'm going to Nissan tommorrow in search of the c-clips and gonna hit the salvages around town in hopes of finding a new front transfer case altogether.
Better ask for a "front differential" and not a "transfer case". Also, seek out a 2006+ version because they have a stronger housing and the upgraded clips, side gears & half shafts. And be sure to get one that matches your original axle ratio as they come OEM in 2.94 and 3.36 (big tow and/or off road packages came with the 3.36 axle ratio) You can not run different axle ratios in the front and rear diffs, or you will actually be in need of a new transfer case.