Will a 231 transfer case from a 2005 TJ fit in my 1997 TJ?

Coachyak

Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2020
Messages
34
Location
Joshua, Texas
Will a 231 T/C out of an 05 TJ direct swap into a 97 TJ?
I know that the 05 has a harmonic balancer.
Does this effect fitment?
I believe internals are same but not sure on shaft length input and output wise.
Thanks
 
What is the input spline count on both? How about the bearing surface does it look the same?
 
Will a 231 T/C out of an 05 TJ direct swap into a 97 TJ?
I know that the 05 has a harmonic balancer.
Does this effect fitment?
I believe internals are same but not sure on shaft length input and output wise.
Thanks
Probably not since the input shaft on a 231 varies in both its spline count (diameter) and its length. The spline count/diameter depends on the engine size so it either has to be for the 4.0L or the 2.5/2.4L engines. The input shaft length varies on what transmission it is bolted to. The good news is if the input shaft of the 231 you're looking to buy isn't correct for your TJ the input shaft can be replaced with the correct one.
 
He has a 5 speed manual which only REQUIRES the shortest input. A longer can be used, the 99 AX15 came with a long input even though the transmission was the same unit as the 97-98 that shipped with the short input gear. My best guess is that Jeep wanted to consolidate the parts lineup some, but you never really know what Jeep is thinking.

The only issue I foresee is if the spline count is not correct, then definitely the input gear will need to be changed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: P man
if both are 4.0 and you have a manual transmission (regardless of what the case came from) then it will work on the transmission end.

If you have an auto then you'll need a transmission output shaft seal extension. Someone will probably be along with a link.

As for the rear end of the transfer case, I think that'll still work. I put a 2005 case with a balancer in my 99, and I don't think it affected the driveshaft length in any way.
 
I have 5 speed AX15.
The 05 TJ has a NSG370.
Plan was do a swap while I rebuild my original T/C.
Once I get the 05 T/C home I can measure and do a spline count.
Since the T/C is free its worth a shot.
 
I have 5 speed AX15.
The 05 TJ has a NSG370.
Plan was do a swap while I rebuild my original T/C.
Once I get the 05 T/C home I can measure and do a spline count.
Since the T/C is free its worth a shot.

you should be good to go.

Early 2021 I bought a 2006 6speed LJ to replace my 99 TJ 5 speed. I'd already rebuilt and SYE'd the 99 case so I wanted to keep it. I swapped them, putting the long input 99 case from the AX15 into the 2006 with the NSG370, and the stock short input case from the 2006 NSG370 onto the AX15. I got a used driveshaft from a forum member, that came out of another TJ with dana 44 and AX15, and it all went together just fine.

I've now swapped an AX15 into my 2006, so the same case is now on an AX15 again.