The New Process / New Venture 242 transfer case has turned out to be one of the greats in Jeep history, as well as other applications such as the Humvee. Having rebuilt countless 242's and as a manufacturer of parts for them, no company knows them like Novak.
Our master rebuild kit has been assembled for our customer's rebuilds as well as our own. It is hands-down the most complete kit we've seen anywhere and features all the consumable and wear item components, including the bearings, seals, gaskets, small parts, chain, magnet, oil filter, boot, shift lever bushing, thread locker compound, RTV sealant, face studs and instruction guide (not all items shown in image).
A chain is not included in our 242 master kit, but is strongly recommended that you replace. Please read about Chains, below and select the correct one in Related Products, below. These are the highest grade chains available.
NP242's input bearing widths are consistent from 1988-1993. Beginning in the 1994 model year, New Venture changed the front input bearing from a wide version to a narrow version. By 1995, the change-over was complete, but individuals with 1994 model year transfer cases can't always be certain of which bearing their transfer case may actually have, unless they pull the front bearing retainer or even fully disassemble the NP242 and check this input gear bearing.
The earlier style input gear, left, has a wide bearing journal. The later style input gear, right, has a narrow bearing journal.
For a more in-depth discussion of these versions, see this page.
There were five chain versions available in the NP / NVG 242 transfer cases. They generally fall into the applications as listed below. However, if you are at all uncertain about your 242, you can open it up and inspect the pitch of your chain (by measuring between links) and the link type as illustrated below:
Use the above illustration in the event you may not be certain about the provenance of your NP242 transfer case and the chain type it features.
Jeep XJ (US) & ZJ Version, 1989-2000 (most common in Jeeps unless it has a V8)
These can be purchased in Related Products, below.
Essentially all parts for the 242 are available new and affordably so. For anything not shown, contact us.
It is very common for our customers to do top-level rebuild work, using good methods and by following our included instruction guide. We suggest the rebuilder have access to a set of snap ring pliers, and a small arbor press, in addition to standard shop tools.