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Np242 vs dana300
- Thread starter Luke95
- Start date
bluejeepkid
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Bullhead City
I believe the 300 is passenger side drop
Vanimal
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- escondido, ca
you're going to have to shorten your front driveshaft and lengthen the rear about 6" or so i believe
souske
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- The land of competition
A 231 is also better, and is a bolt in
- Location
- Minneapolis, MN
You tell us. What mods do you have ? Why do think the 242 or 231 is inadequate for your build or 4x4 style ?
souske
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- The land of competition
231 with SYE should be fine
the primary motivation for going D300 is front digs, and the possibility of a 4:1 gearset.
Not because the 231 is inadequate. It's also very easy to grab a 231C case from the junkyard and upgrade the 231J case with fullsized truck components. 6 planet gearset and a bigger chain.
Not because the 231 is inadequate. It's also very easy to grab a 231C case from the junkyard and upgrade the 231J case with fullsized truck components. 6 planet gearset and a bigger chain.
I will say that the 231 is stronger than the 242, so if you beat on it, replace the 242.
The mainshaft in the 242 is necked down right by the speedo gear, it tends to snap right there.
this is what that sounds like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OFfdB5EqvA
The mainshaft in the 242 is necked down right by the speedo gear, it tends to snap right there.
this is what that sounds like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OFfdB5EqvA
I will say that the 231 is stronger than the 242, so if you beat on it, replace the 242.
The mainshaft in the 242 is necked down right by the speedo gear, it tends to snap right there.
this is what that sounds like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OFfdB5EqvA
a 231J with 231C parts in it will not be the weak link in your drivetrain. I've been wheeling a stock 231 in the rocks with 35's and a 5 spd for a while. I've broken lots of stuff, the 231 (no SYE at that) has never been my concern.
The mainshaft in the 242 is necked down right by the speedo gear, it tends to snap right there.
this is what that sounds like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OFfdB5EqvA
a 231J with 231C parts in it will not be the weak link in your drivetrain. I've been wheeling a stock 231 in the rocks with 35's and a 5 spd for a while. I've broken lots of stuff, the 231 (no SYE at that) has never been my concern.
Vanimal
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- escondido, ca
i thought the 242 was a little beefier than a 231j? i have no facts to back that up, just hearsay. not that it matters much, i'm not putting in a 242, i'm just curious.
input torque is rated less than the 231, because the mainshafts are weaker.
from novak
http://www.novak-adapt.com/
When the one in the video let go another member looked at me and said "He broke the mainshaft, right where the speedo gear is, guaranteed"
He was right. That's where they fail when shock loaded. It's the smallest diameter part of the shaft, and it's certainly smaller than a 231 mainshaft.
XJFrankenstein
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Virginia
I would definitely go with the 231J or 231HD over the 242. There are a few advantages/disadvantages associated with the Dana 300:
Advantages: all gear drive is stronger (no chain to stretch or break), LoMax 4:1 gear set is $600 as opposed to $1000 for a 231 Terralow kit (cheaper to upgrade), twin stick setup allows 2 wheel low (front or rear), longer rear driveshaft reduces likelihood of vibration problems.
Disadvantages: must buy or fab a flip kit (downeastoffroad.com $600), getting harder to find (found on '81-'86 CJs).
Bottom line - if this is a daily driver, trail runner, mild wheelin' rig, the 231 is fine for your needs. If you're building a hardcore crawler, then the dana 300 makes more sense, because it's cheaper than buying a 231 and adding lots of parts to beef it up.
Another consideration: By the time you buy a dana 300, lowmax kit, flip kit, rebuild kit you're looking at about $1500 to $1600. For just over $2K you can buy an Atlas (with a warranty). The Atlas is based on the Dana 300 design with better bearings.
Advantages: all gear drive is stronger (no chain to stretch or break), LoMax 4:1 gear set is $600 as opposed to $1000 for a 231 Terralow kit (cheaper to upgrade), twin stick setup allows 2 wheel low (front or rear), longer rear driveshaft reduces likelihood of vibration problems.
Disadvantages: must buy or fab a flip kit (downeastoffroad.com $600), getting harder to find (found on '81-'86 CJs).
Bottom line - if this is a daily driver, trail runner, mild wheelin' rig, the 231 is fine for your needs. If you're building a hardcore crawler, then the dana 300 makes more sense, because it's cheaper than buying a 231 and adding lots of parts to beef it up.
Another consideration: By the time you buy a dana 300, lowmax kit, flip kit, rebuild kit you're looking at about $1500 to $1600. For just over $2K you can buy an Atlas (with a warranty). The Atlas is based on the Dana 300 design with better bearings.
iluv83vettes
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Houston
Questions ... How big of tires etc are you planning on going? Is your 242 busted? Are you just wanting to do this just because?
