I heard that the np241 is stronger than the 231 and I was wondering how a swap would work? I know that the np241 is larger, and I saw a thread where a guy said to make your own driveshaft, I’ve heard that the 46re/47re/48re are the same size but have different internals, so in theory could I just swap in a NP241 and 3/4 ton driveshafts and call it good? Or would there be more to it than that? (I’ve went through 4 transfer cases because the np231 is easy to crack)😂

 

What year is your truck/transmission? I ask, as some things changed on the transfer cases through the run of '94-'01...

 

Truck is a 98, transmission is 2001.

 

How are you cracking 231's?

 

Speed I guess? Speed limit all the way to my girlfriends house is 80 lol. My truck has only seen mud like twice. It’s never drove in the winter, and always in 2HI.

 

You shouldn't be blowing up t-cases then..... Checking the fluid regularly?

241 is almost a direct swap. Rear driveshaft will have to be shortened, front should be the same. Keep in mind, t-case shift pattern changed in 98, so, if the t-case is older, pattern is gonna be different.

 

Idk how to check the fluid

 

There are two pipe plugs on the back of it. The upper one is for filling/checking. The lower one is for draining. NEVER take the lower one out first. Make sure the upper will come out before pulling that one.

 

I appreciate it, will definitely start checking it more

 

Speed in 2wd really shouldn't crack a t-case. The t-case isn't doing much in 2hi except allowing power to pass through -- it's mostly just an idler.

If this is really happening something else is amiss. Driveshaft too long or too short, trans mount completely trashed, maybe motor mounts are shot (I'm reaching), maybe a really bad carrier bearing if so equipped.....

The alloy case castings always have what appear to be hairline fractures but they're not--- wondering if OP is seeing these and thinking they're cracks??