97 6cyl TJ w/ completely busted t-case

[meccariello05]

I have a 97 TJ Sport w/ 8.8 rear detroit locker and 4.88 gears. currently running 2" lift and 32x11.5 bfg mt's. Trying to slowly build driveline and axles before going bigger with the lift/tires. like the rocks and trails but stay away from mud (6 hours of cleaning) and sand ( none around me ). i just destroyed the stock transfer case (broken chain gears and housing). i am considering 3 options a tera low 4:1, atlas II 4.3:1 or jb conversions nv241 4:1 like the rubicons. budget is an issue and have to do labor myself, with limited tools/experience. right now leaning towards nv241 as it seems like a direct bolt in w/ a new woody shaft (not to difficult i hope) but everwhere i look people tell me to go with the atlas.

really only go wheeling 5-6 times per year and use it as a daily driver for the most part. the atlas seems like a would have to do some extra work i may not be comfortable with and sounds more expensive.

any opinions or knowledge on these options??
need some advice.
matt

[blkTJ]

I'm not sure if a 241 has any strength advantage over a 231. :dunno:

since you've proven you can grenade a 231 (which I've seen survive on big rocks with 37 and 39 inch tires) I'm not sure the 241 would be a good choice.

:2:

[goodtimes]

The 241 is a good case (I have 2, one in my jeep, one in my 3/4 ton dodge). But it is still chain driven, and doesn't have as rigid of a case as the Atlas II. Neither one is going to be cheap, but the 241 will probably be cheaper than the atlas. But, as BlkTJ noted....if you are breaking a 231, I would figure out what the problem was before putting another one in (231's aren't exactly failure prone).

[RangerRick]

Did you over stuff one of the drive shafts? Especially the front shaft? (aka: one or both drive shafts too long) That's how most chain driven aluminum T-cases get broken.
Rubicon Rick OllllllO

[blackZZR]

I would reveiw how I busted the 231 first, I have seen those things take great abuse, plus is theis a vehicle you bought used and do not know how the last person used the 4x4 system, I mean people who do not 4x4 can kill a transfercase using it onroad, just a thought.
A 241 has advantages over the 231, no slip Joint, lower gears, helps to lower the CG with more weight, oh the last one is a joke guys, the atlas units are nice also, plus you can get some lower gears. but as you said the jeep is a daily driver wheeled 5 times a year, might I suggest that 241 and more experiance

[TDS SD]

TransferCase

I have the Atlas ll in mine and you can't hammer a vehicle any harder than I do. It has been in the Vehicle 7 years now. Worth the extra bucks if you can afford the money. Hope Murphy's law doesn't get me now. Going to give another workout this Sat. at Truckhaven Hills.

[Britain]

I have the Atlas ll in mine and you can't hammer a vehicle any harder than I do. It has been in the Vehicle 7 years now. Worth the extra bucks if you can afford the money. Hope Murphy's law doesn't get me now. Going to give another workout this Sat. at Truckhaven Hills.

Seems like your Atlas held up fine...mine certainly did!

[brokenujoint]

seems you forgot yet another option.. why dont you build yourself up a sweet dana 300. cost is cheaper than an atlas and in my opinion much stronger. i'll even throw you the links that i have for the build.

http://www.myjeeprocks.com/feature/j...ax_dana300.php
http://www.4x4wire.com/tech/dana300/
http://www.jbconversions.com/pages/p...front_out.html
http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/module...article&sid=84
http://www.downeastoffroad.com/dana300flipkit.htm
http://www.highangledriveline.com/dr...ng%20brake.htm
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...lr%3D%26sa%3DN
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...l%3Den%26lr%3D
http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/module...article&sid=84
http://www.jbconversions.com/pages/p...max/index.html
http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/kit_153.htm
http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/model_300_parts.htm
http://www.rockcrawler.com/techrepor...line/index.asp

i think these should have you covered. oh and the case can be had on ebay for about 100.00 if you look.