Quick question related to my other thread in Talk...https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...ing-truck.html

'99 SLT 318 Club Cab 5 Speed 4x4

Is that the correct part number?

 

It may also be a NV231. New Process - New Venture. Not sure when they changed the name.

NV231 was used in 2000. It has the manual shift lever. 2001 went electronic.

 

OK

After reading that, I now have a differnet question / clarification...

It is my understanding that np231 and nv231d cases are 100% interchangeable.

The key issue related to interchangeability is the presence or absence of electronic 4 wheel drive, as far as I can gather...

And, neither the np or nv transfer case is electronic...

 

Correct, the 231 is not electronic.

 

Sorry if I am being obtuse...

'99 Dakota SLT, 5.2, 5 speed, 4x4

OK - let me see if I fully understand this before I spend money that I cannot get back...

NP is older than NV...but, in reality, it is exactly the same - something to do with the factory making the part as opposed to any change in the part...

SO, NP231 and NV231 are functionally equivalent. If one will work, the other will work...

Now, I have stumbled across an NV231D...supposedly IDENTICAL to NV231 except the chain and something else internal is stronger...so...

NP231, NV231, and NV231D should ALL bolt into my truck...

And, if I can get an NV231D with equivalent miles and price to the other two, that would be the better deal...

Is this correct?

How big of a job is this? How much will I be swearing if I attempt to do this on jack-stands? Anyone have any suggestions / insight? I really have no desire to pay over a thousand bucks for a part I can find for like $200 if I can do this myself...

 

The D stands for Dodge. J would be for a Jeep. I don't know of the differences.

I've never done it but do you have a transmission jack? I think you'll find it heavy.

 

Hello. I have a 98 dodge ram 1500 4x4, AT, 5.2L/318 and have replaced the transfer case on it. The trucks are essentially the same so the job should be no different.
It is a job that will take you a whole day (8 hours), it will have you curse a few times (especially if things are rusted), but it IS something you can do yourself on jack stands. The 231 series of transfer cases weighs about 70 pounds so it should not be hard to take down and lift up into place. It will make your life much easier if you have a friend help you out. You will save tons of $$ doing it yourself.

* In answer to your questions, YES the NV231 and NP 231 ARE interchangeable. They both have the same 6 bolt setup that attaches to the transmission. Not sure about 00DakDan's source, but from what I know the D that follows the part number indicates a heavy duty build (like you said, stronger chain and tougher gears). But both are the same transfer case. **** Note: The only thing you have to check and make sure is the same is the number of splines that connect at the transmission and at the rear driveshaft. The transfer cases were made with three different spline counts, so you should check to make sure you buy the one that matcher your truck.****
* If things appear to be rusted on (nuts and bolts) you should spray on some PB Blaster and let it sit overnight to help rid of some rust, it will make it easier removing nuts and bolts. If you really cannot remove some stuff, you may have to take a torch to it and carefully use heat to help.

Well... Hope this helps. Good luck. And message for assistance if needed.

 

Hello again. I have to apologize to 00DakDan for calling him out on his info. He is right on the single letter indication on the part number. The 231D is for dodge and 231J is for jeep. Heavy duty is shown as 231HD.
Make sure you get a TC made for dodge and not something else because they are different for other vehicles and will not be a match to doge fittings. They will have the same 6 bolt pattern but the are set at a different angle and it makes it so it doesn't fit.

*Sorry again 00DakDan

 

forgot to post the link to some very helpful info

http://www.drivetrain.com/parts_cata...rts/np231.html

 

Thanks for the helpful post. I think I will do this if I can figure out the part to buy.

My truck has 23 spline front input. All V8s did.

The difference is the rear output. Could be 27 spline or 32 spline. I am no mechanic so bear with me...

How am I supposed to figure out how many splines there are? I mean, do I really have to take it apart to look and count or is there some other way? If I do have to take it apart, what precisely is the rear output that I am looking at?