So the transfer case of the 01 - 03 Durangos had 2WD option. According to http://www.rsgear.com/articles/2008_04.pdf the NV244 of the 2nd Gen Durangos is basically a NV242 without the 2WD option. I did a little searching and looked at some images and it appears (from the outside) that the NV242 is the same housing but instead of an electric motor it has a manual lever (see this image http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...tart=0&ndsp=41
).

So, I'm just curious if I could swap in a NV242 and get 2WD. I'm trying to find more information on the NV242 right now as far as how it is hooked to the "vehicle computer(s)" to find out if there would be any problems that way. I'm not sure where / what to look for next so I'm posting this to see who might be able to offer some more information or things to read.

Maybe I can get my hands on an 01- 03 Durango Service manual or something; that might have some more info.

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

 

Ben Stein AKA master tech may know as he is a transmission expert on this site.

 

I think I might have answered my own question based on https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...and-nv244.html. If I am not mistaken the difference is the coupler inside the case plus the "strength" of the case itself; 244 is stronger.

So, maybe to get 2WD all that needs to be done is swap the NV233 coupler into the NV244. Then, if (and that's a huge if) one could find lockout hubs those could be added on the front.

Thinking on this whole idea more reveals that I have no real goal in doing this. Maybe someone here could conceve of why anyone would want to do it (other than gas mileage which I hear is not improved much at all). One benefit is maybe if a 1st Gen D wanted a stronger transfer case; that might be a better reason to go the other way NV244 replaces NV233. Maybe it would help the 2nd Gen D limp off the trail in 2WD if the front diff were broken or something?

Maybe I should have purchased an 00-03 D...