What do y'all say...Tcase for 6.0 4L60e swap

[davidtwelsh]

My unplanned surprise swap is rolling along

But as I inquire on what parts I may need
a vendor
keeps insisting that I should retain the np 229 stock Tcase (1991 gwag)
And (of course) buy their adapter.

My parts are
Lq4 6.0L, 4L60e Trans and np241c.

I feel an upsell being forced rather than actual advice.
Since a few of you already executed this type of swap...what is your opinion?
Thx

[j20owner]

I think most people doing a similar swap are using the np241. No need for any adapter. I smell upsell.

I, however, will more than likely going a different direction.

[addicted]

If you plan to drive it in crappy weather and you don't care about the cost of the adapter go with the 229. They are great transfer cases for snowy and icy conditions. If you live in a warm climate that rarely sees those kinds of driving conditions then go with the 241 it will get you where you need to go when you need it, just a little less smoothly.

[davidtwelsh]

He tries to convince me to keep the np229...and an adapter to the 4L60e

Says the np241c is too much effort/trouble
No speedometer
Linkage issues

[davidtwelsh]

WWRD?

What would Ristow do?
I think he wrote on the 229 before...favorably...

[addicted]

He does like them. I would keep one in any Jeep that came with it. I really like the NP219 too and wouldn't swap one of them out for any of the others.

[billyrb]

As many people know, I am not a fan of the 219, 228 or 229 tcases. I say ditch them wherever / whenever possible. I know they have a following, but so do crazy religious cults.....doesn't mean they are good

241 overall is a good tcase. Many people buy a SYE kit, but those can run $200-500. the 229 isn't really worth keeping in my book, and I only say that after I had one fail (prior to that, I thought they were ok). I've had them fail, and when the viscous coupler lets loose, you lose everything: all forward gears, reverse and even park. Unless you have a functioning parking brake, it'll roll.

When I do my conversion, I'm going to go with 4L60e and a special adapter to use a Dana 300, and the adapter will be custom to make it a driver's drop orientation so I can retain my DD front axle. Cost of the conversion mount is about the same, and it's less work than finding / swapping axles, since I'd need that adapter anyway.

Don't let any vendor sway you if it's not something you want / are comfortable with. I know we've been talking about the swap, and if you can get the 241 cheap, heck, go with that (there is a TON of cheap aftermarket parts for them).

I think something else to consider is what are you using the rig for, what do you want it to do for you, and how much time / money do you want to invest. That will rather simply spell out what to do in most cases.

[Carnuck]

If you like the AWD of the NP229, I'd swap to a NP242HD with the Chev input gear from the NP241 installed. No special adapter needed then.

[JeepinPete]

Or along that line of thinking, a Jeep NP249 with a Chevy input. The beauty of NP transfer cases is their interchangability. The planetary gear set used for low range in the same in nearly all of their cases. So swapping input from Jeep to Chevy to Dodge is a very straight forward thing to do.

The only issue with using on in your case is the speedometer. The only cable drive output that I know of were used on passenger drop versions. By the time GM and Dodge switched over to driver's drop, they were also using electronic speedos.

[Ristow]

a DD in snow country like PA? keep the 229,or similar,differentiated full time capable case. only my plow truck has a 208. the rest are 229.

[mdill]

Lots of choices,
229 I think is an OK case Great winter case. (Need a JTR VSS kit)
(Cost: adapter and Vss kit ??)
241C good PT case with a JB Conversions SYE (cast kit) you get a seedometer output, but will need a VSS (JTR seedometer to VSS kit)
(Cost: JB SYE and VSS kit)
242 Hummer case (full time , no 2wd mode)
Cost issues ?? I have not looked close
Atlas 4 speed ??? Cost lots.
....
What do you want the truck to do ?? and how deep are your pockets ?

[Carnuck]

242 DOES have 2wd option. It's the 249 that's only 4x4

[mdill]

Originally Posted by Carnuck

242 DOES have 2wd option. It's the 249 that's only 4x4

The Jeep one does have 2wd mode the Hummer one does not. (At least that is what I have read) There is a web page somewhere where a guy did a mix and match Hummer/Jeep one to get a Hummer case with the 2wd position.
Streight up with the Jeep one you would need a custom adapter, still might be cheaper than a doing a combo case.

[Carnuck]

Dodge had a 242 DHD that is tougher than the Jeep one (wider chain, etc)

[chrism]

Keep the 241. Its a good case, you already have it, bolts up, no vacuum lines to ruin your day. Put in selectable hubs for less wear on the front axle and less rolling resistance.

[Nick1224]

I did this...and used the 241. I have a thread about adapting a shorter yoke to decrease angle if it becomes an issue.

And I know this is off topic, but any special reason for the 4l60 over the 4l80?

[davidtwelsh]

@ Nick
Actually, I emailed and PM'd you asking for advice...I don't think it delivered.

No special reason...flow of events.
Hadn't planned on the entire swap.
Started as a 700r4 to get the OD.
then looked for the 241 to eliminate the need for the 2nd adapter.
I was only gathering the parts..for the future

Then I get a call from the shop..in for a cam/lifter job ...they find issues.
Compared the costs...figured may as well swap it all.
Found a 5.3L ...
And traded the 700r for the 4L60 (the 4l60 had been mated to the 241)
5.3L fell through...scrambled...found the 6.0L

I've been hearing circus music in my head...

[Carnuck]

Merry go round broken down?

[Jeepguy77]

IMHO all wheel drive should be left up to cars. But if I had to have one I would use the 242, that way you have the 2wheel drive option, which gives you better gas mileage, and full time mode if you need it.

[JeepinPete]

I had a 242 in a Dodge Durango. That Dodge was inferior in the snow to my old '88 Wag with the 229. The two trucks is as close as you can get in size and weight. If I am not mistaken, the 242 uses a planetary gear set to proportion torque front and rear. But ultimately it is an open diff. There were numerous times where I would get single wheel peel with the 242, even in AWD mode. Never happened with the 229, and I tried to get that thing to break a tire loose driving through slush mounds and snow berms on unplowed back roads, and it simply wouldn't.

I know a lot of people do not like the viscous coupling since it is an expensive item to replace. But if northeast snow driving is what you are worried about, a transfer case with a viscous coupling is the way to go IMO. One reason I suggest a NP249 is it is a much simpler case internally to a 229, incorporates a viscous coupling, is locked up in 4WD low, and can be easily adapted to a GM transmission by swapping out the input. I know all of this first hand since I have several 241's and a 249 and have personally swapped the inputs around. The only additional item you will need is a clocking ring which is an ebay item that is roughly $50.