Should I have my 241 transfer case rebuilt?

[SuspectLJ]

Hey everyone, I'm looking to finally swap my np241 out of a TJR into my LJ pretty soon and I'm seeking some opinions from those more experienced.

Long story short, i got my hands on a Rubicon transfer case out of a TJR with 240k miles essentially for free. When i drove the jeep i pulled it from it shifted smoothly and had no apparent issues, however the jeep had a loud exhaust and i couldn't listen for any noises.

Given the amount of miles on the case, do any of you think i should have it rebuilt prior to installing it? or am i overthinking this and i should just run it as is.

I'm just worried i install it, buy new drive shafts and then it explodes on me.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[PNW_LJ]

Hey everyone, I'm looking to finally swap my np241 out of a TJR into my LJ pretty soon and I'm seeking some opinions from those more experienced.

Long story short, i got my hands on a Rubicon transfer case out of a TJR with 240k miles essentially for free. When i drove the jeep i pulled it from it shifted smoothly and had no apparent issues, however the jeep had a loud exhaust and i couldn't listen for any noises.

Given the amount of miles on the case, do any of you think i should have it rebuilt prior to installing it? or am i overthinking this and i should just run it as is.

I'm just worried i install it, buy new drive shafts and then it explodes on me.

Any advice would be appreciated.

I didn't rebuild mine, but it came from a rolled over rig with 30k miles. Around 500 miles on it thus far, and no sounds/causes for concern yet.

At 240k miles however, I would most definitely consider getting a rebuild kit. Especially with how cheap they are compared to a replacement Rubi case (I'm seeing ~$250 online).

 

[SuspectLJ]

I didn't rebuild mine, but it came from a rolled over rig with 30k miles. Around 500 miles on it thus far, and no sounds/causes for concern yet.

At 240k miles however, I would most definitely consider getting a rebuild kit. Especially with how cheap they are compared to a replacement Rubi case (I'm seeing ~$250 online).

Any kit in particular that you would recommend?

Finding a trustworthy shop to have it rebuilt is gonna be tough i feel.

 

[Irun]

If it's not leaking or making any weird noise, start with a fluid change. If that looks good, no unexpected debris, run it.

 

[PNW_LJ]

Any kit in particular that you would recommend?

JB Conversions is a reputable brand. No direct experience with their rebuild kits.

Finding a trustworthy shop to have it rebuilt is gonna be tough i feel.

A transfer case isn't a transmission. A novice mechanic can rebuild one on their own with an instructional video (BFHGarage had one on Youtube).

Video and link to forum instructions: https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/how-to-rebuild-your-nv241-rubicon-transfer-case.45719/

 

[SuspectLJ]

If it's not leaking or making any weird noise, start with a fluid change. If that looks good, no unexpected debris, run it.

The fluid was a bit dark but nothing out of this world and there was no debris in it.

The jeep was on 31' street tires and its original spare mud terrain was on the back that had never even been used. it wouldn't surprise me if it never even went offroad.

 

[SuspectLJ]

JB Conversions is a reputable brand. No direct experience with their rebuild kits.



A transfer case isn't a transmission. A novice mechanic can rebuild one on their own with an instructional video (BFHGarage had one on Youtube).

Video and link to forum instructions: https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/how-to-rebuild-your-nv241-rubicon-transfer-case.45719/

Thanks a lot man, this is exactly what i was looking for. I'm gonna give them a call tomorrow.

I watched his video and it was great but I'm not sure i trust myself doing the job. While it's a skill I'd really want to learn, sometimes i think it might be better to pick up a little overtime and pay a professional before i really fuck something up.

 

[JMT]

@SuspectLJ I'd check the tension on the chain, and if it was good I'd run it. If it was loose I'd rebuild it once and call it good for life. This is something a novice can do. We're all here to help.

 

[SuspectLJ]

@SuspectLJ I'd check the tension on the chain, and if it was good I'd run it. If it was loose I'd rebuild it once and call it good for life. This is something a novice can do. We're all here to help.

Thanks man i appreciate that, you guys on this forum have been extremely helpful.

I got quoted $650 for a complete rebuild including parts/labor from a reputable shop a couple hours away that specifies in transfer cases. The complete rebuild kit from JB Conversions is $375. $275 in labor for complete rebuild sounds good to me so i think I'm gonna jump on it.

 

[Rickyd]

Thanks man i appreciate that, you guys on this forum have been extremely helpful.

I got quoted $650 for a complete rebuild including parts/labor from a reputable shop a couple hours away that specifies in transfer cases. The complete rebuild kit from JB Conversions is $375. $275 in labor for complete rebuild sounds good to me so i think I'm gonna jump on it.

Wiggle the front output up and down,in and out. Same with the rear. It will help you judge how worn the bearings are.

 

[SuspectLJ]

Wiggle the front output up and down,in and out. Same with the rear. It will help you judge how worn the bearings are.

Just tried this and there was absolutely no movement

 

[SuspectLJ]

Ended up finding a guy who worked for NPG for 25 years to completely rebuild the transfer case. A true professional and all around great person who did it for a fair price.

He's semi-retired and told me he didn't want an online presence since he's only a one man show and doesn't want too big of a work load.

I don't want to gate keep but i won't post his info out of respect to him, if you need your transfer case serviced and are in the central Florida area PM me and ill pass you the info.

 

[SuspectLJ]

does anyone happen to know if i replace the 1330 yoke on the case with a 1310 yoke if I'd be able to reuse the front driveshaft?

I plan on ordering new shafts after i lift/regear/lock the jeep at the shop but i was thinking of installing the case at home and driving it to the shop in FWD to avoid the labor cost of the shop installing the case.

I'm just worried i go through the trouble of installing it and then the front shaft will be slightly too long or short due to the different dimensions between the 231 and 241

 

[hear]

Ended up finding a guy who worked for NPG for 25 years to completely rebuild the transfer case. A true professional and all around great person who did it for a fair price.

He's semi-retired and told me he didn't want an online presence since he's only a one man show and doesn't want too big of a work load.

I don't want to gate keep but i won't post his info out of respect to him, if you need your transfer case serviced and are in the central Florida area PM me and ill pass you the info.


View attachment 570364View attachment 570365

wow, that case looks like a million bucks.

It's kinda pointless since it will be gunked up in no time, but it sure looks good right now!

 

[SuspectLJ]

wow, that case looks like a million bucks.

It's kinda pointless since it will be gunked up in no time, but it sure looks good right now!

I was expecting just the internals to be rebuilt, I was shocked when i went to pick it up and it looked this good.

Hard to believe it's even the same case lol

 

[Claytone]

does anyone happen to know if i replace the 1330 yoke on the case with a 1310 yoke if I'd be able to reuse the front driveshaft?

I plan on ordering new shafts after i lift/regear/lock the jeep at the shop but i was thinking of installing the case at home and driving it to the shop in FWD to avoid the labor cost of the shop installing the case.

I'm just worried i go through the trouble of installing it and then the front shaft will be slightly too long or short due to the different dimensions between the 231 and 241

I did exactly that and it worked fine.

 

[SuspectLJ]

I did exactly that and it worked fine.

Awesome, this is gonna save me a good chunk of change

 

[Claytone]

I got the rear adapter flange from Tom Woods.
I can't remember where I sourced the front yoke but it wasn't hard to find.
I'm using the Novak cable shifter.