[whitwt]

Howdy gents. I am knee deep in a 2.5 to 4.3 swap. I have the frame stripped and am to the point where I need to plan out my new drivetrain.:thumbsup:

Found a drivetrain pulled out of a swapped YJ. Keeping the nv3500 tranny that came out of it. I am stuck on T-case choices. Do I try to make room for the 241 that came with it all and buy custom drive shafts? Or do I rebuild my 231 and get an adapter for the 3500?

Either way I need to install an SYE. The 231 will fit better and shorten the overall length of the new longer drivetrain. But it will cost a bit more to go that route because I would need to pick up some new stronger drive shafts for that as well. Looking at Tom Wood's?

I am leaning the rebuilt 231 route, but thought I would get some input from the forum gods before I make any purchases.

 

[durango-bob]

I don't believe that the nv3500 or 241 came in a YJ. But to answer your last question, I would personally opt for a rebuilt 231. I feel that the low range in the 231 is just right for me and you can beef it up fairly cheaply with a 6 gear planetary and a wider chain.

 

[jeepn4life92]

I wouldn't even worry about beefing up the 231 for the 4.3, and its mostlikely an ax-15

 

[whitwt]

I should have specified. The setup came out of a swapped out YJ. The 3500 and 241 came out of a 1500 chevy.

 

[whitwt]

OK, so neither Novak or Advanced Adapters makes an adapter for a GM nv3500 to an np231. Bummer. Maybe I should get a new tranny too.

 

[roosr]

Find an AX-15 and you'll be fine.
Reasonable transmission, good gear ratio setup, and that's the transmission for the 4.0L engines as it is. So it'll be plenty strong for your application. Rebuild the 231 and it's good to go.

 

[whitwt]

That is where I am leaning roosr. Also, your tagline is extremely accurate. Because I would need to buy the bellhousing as well. Maybe I can sell the and tranny and t-case to offset the cost.

 

[SlackJaw]

If you are going to rebuild the 231, you might as well go with the wider chain. Got a buddy went this route, I don't remember his source, but I can find out if you like.

 

[jeepn4life92]

There's a chevy version of the 231 also, maybe salvage some of the parts from the 231 that you've got and make it work, but idk if the chevy 231 will bolt up to the tranny you're trying to work with, so its just an idea

 

[jeepn4life92]

If you are going to rebuild the 231, you might as well go with the wider chain. Got a buddy went this route, I don't remember his source, but I can find out if you like.

Jb conversions has them....and they're on sale right now

 

[SlackJaw]

Jb conversions has them....and they're on sale right now

I think that's the place now that you mention it :thumbsup: If you happen to know, what is the sale price?

 

[jeepn4life92]

I think that's the place now that you mention it :thumbsup: If you happen to know, what is the sale price?

225, I don't remember the original price tho, FWIW

 

[SlackJaw]

225, I don't remember the original price tho, FWIW

Thanks man!

 

[fordtech]

There's a chevy version of the 231 also, maybe salvage some of the parts from the 231 that you've got and make it work, but idk if the chevy 231 will bolt up to the tranny you're trying to work with, so its just an idea

I am with you on this one... I don't know Chevys well, but research, I am pretty sure the 3500/231 combo did exist.

 

[whitwt]

Thanks for the insight fellas. Think I am going to attempt to sell my Chevy tranny and t-case and my old ax5. I put that towards a rebuilt ax15 and I will rebuild my 231 and install a SYE. After weighing my options I think that this is the way to go. I will let you know how it turned out.