Tera-Low

jjnord · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2006 12:16 am

Does anyone know if Tera-Low makes a 4:1 for the KJ's 242? How about a contact site/e mail/number? I've searched the net and can't find anything! :evil:

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2006 12:22 am

I have heard it is possible due to the fact that a Tera-Low kit is made for the 231 and the 242 is nearly identical but I can't give any more advice other then that. I emailed Teraflex about the kit and didn't get a response.

OZKJ · **Joined:** Sat Jan 07, 2006 6:01 pm **Posts:** 2

Just wondering if you have heard a response yet? I'm keen to know if I can get something like a 4:1 for the 242.

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Thu Feb 09, 2006 1:09 am

I spoke with teraflex. Their four to one kit turns the case into a gear driven case and would require you to make so much modifictation that is would be cheaper to actually swap in a 231. The rep I spoke with (I believe his name was mike) said that yes he had infact sold one to a guy with a KJ but the guy had a 231 case. The 4:1 kit is gear driven which means the chain can't snap... It is a $1200 kit folks... I am not discouraging anybody from doing this-just stating the facts...

OZKJ · **Joined:** Sat Jan 07, 2006 6:01 pm **Posts:** 2

Hmmm...... I would like to change the gearing of the t-case but I still want fulltime 4x4 on the road.

uvalax236 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 09, 2006 10:34 am

Hmmm...231.. Thats Command-Trac right?

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Thu Feb 09, 2006 1:48 pm

The NV231 is command trac whereas the NP242 is selec trac. These cases are made by the same company, New Venture Gear which was New Process (hence NV and NP prefixes). These cases are nearly identical and hard to distinguish from the outside.

There are no aftermarket parts except a slip yoke eliminator kit available for the NP242. Since the 4:1 kit from teraflex replaces the chain with gears and therefore changes EVERYTHING inside the case, there is no way to adapt it. Sorry folks. That is the rep from Teraflex talking not me.

I would love to have a rig with no compromises but there comes a time you must choose...do I want 4:1 gear for an amazing crawl ratio? or do I want all wheel drive (thats what full time is folks) for light snow/ice. Even though I live in Minnesota where full time is incredibly handy-i'd rather have the 4:1 gearing. Think about it-it multiplies engine power by four...235 pound feet of torque becomes 940 pound feet versus a stock low range of 2.72:1 (still impressive from the factory) with 639.2 pound feet or torque. That is a 100.8 foot pound improvement!

With the 45rfe and 545RFe transmissions and either the 231 or 242 case you have a crawl ratio of 30.4368 (1st gear x low range x axle). That is average...

With the 4:1 kit we have a crawl ratio of 44.76. That means your rig can idle about 50% slower than it did before and you have an extra 100 pound feet of torque. Add a two wheel teralow kit for a two wheel drive low range and voila-ultra low gears and the tight steering of two wheel drive (no binding). If you went all out and dropped in some 4.10's you would have a crawl ratio identical to the rubicon.

So if you got a dana 44 center section from a GC or Commander, added detroit electracs front and rear, stuffed both pumpkins with 4.10's and did the 4:1 conversion-you have a KJ Rubicon...The parts are there folks...

uvalax236 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 09, 2006 2:48 pm

So how much is a 2wd kit cost? Im thinking about doing some conversions to the xfer and this looks interesting.

KJNick · **Joined:** Mon Jul 11, 2005 12:00 pm **Posts:** 56

ManicMechanicJoe wrote:

<snip>
There are no aftermarket parts except a slip yoke eliminator kit available for the NP242. Since the 4:1 kit from teraflex replaces the chain with gears and therefore changes EVERYTHING inside the case, there is no way to adapt it. Sorry folks. That is the rep from Teraflex talking not me.
<snip>

That's interesting that the TeraFlex rep told you this. The TeraLow kit replaces the front of the case and replaces the 3 planetary gearset with a 5 planetary gearset, but it still retains the chain. Also, Tera's website says to call if you have an NP242 and the installation instructions says it can be used with some modifications to the case. Sounds like the Teraflx rep didn't know what he's talking about or they've updated the design without updating the installation sheet. :?:

Sure looks like it's possible from what I see. The only thing that might be a problem is matching the input spline count. Don't know what it might be with the Liberty's transmissions.

uvalax236 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 09, 2006 8:15 pm

Ok so I called my local shop today and they qouted me at $199.00 for the 2wd kit. My question is, am I going to see any improvements in wheeling with this kit? I know I will have 2low with the kit but is that going to do me any good or is this a wase of $200?

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Fri Feb 10, 2006 7:15 am

if you do a lot of rock crawling I can see a benefit in that this kit is going to allow you to turn without any CV bind without having to put the vehicle in neutral to shift in and out of low range...

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