Well right out of the box, (factory) the 231 has the lowest gear ratio available at 2.72:1 unless you go with an aftermarket or custom build.
The 4:1 low from Tera is about the only way to go, (as far as I know) for the 231 and in most cases that will require a front case change like some Sammies. I have heard these are now expeiancing some problems. This is only here say though. Unless some one can confirm this.

 

The stock gearing isn't good enough for rock crawling, and he 4.1 upgrade isn't that much of an increase, especially for the money.
I was looking around online and found an article by a guy that mated an NP231 to another t-case, and it didn't look to be that hard. I have an NP242 sitting around in the garage that is real clean, and I am starting to htink about grabbing another NP231 and seeing if I can get them to mate up by keeping the front assembly from the NP231 and mating it to a full NP242. it sure would be a much cheaper way to go than $1300 and it would give me a much bigger reduction than Tera's gears. Plus, if I break any gears I just need stock replacement gears. Also, the addition of 2-low wouldn't be bad either.
My only concern right now is if I have enough room underneath (probably not

)

 

Nevermind, Jeeps don't have enough room for a 2nd case. The driveshaft is already pretty short. Damn ,guess I'll have to fork out the cash for Tera's gears.

 

Have you given any thought to the 241 offered in the Rubicon's? It's much heavier duty, and also has a 4:1 gearset. JB Conversions sells one for $1600, new. Just a thought to kick around.

 

BTW - I just noticed you're in Woodburn. That's only about 20 minutes away for me. If you ever need a hand with your Jeep, shoot me an e-mail. I'm always up for helping where I can. Even if you don't need help, maybe we could hook up and compare stats

 

Hey! Always good to see people that are local. I have a bunch of posts lying around after this weekend, because we made a trip to Brown's camp and I had a hell of a time with my Yj trying to get through 7-up and a few other trails.
Let's keep in touch and I could definetly use some help once and awhile. ALso, we shoudl hook up and head up to the trails sometime.

 

jammy also likes moonlite walks on the beach, fast cars and. .hahah sorry..

 

We should definetly hook up and go wheeling, I just gotta finish putting my Jeep back together. I haven't been out to Brown's Camp for quite some time. I truly hope you're kidding when you say you were having a hard time on 7-up. Well, I guess I could understand if you went up the back of 7-up, where it's most difficult. I wouldn't even touch that in my Jeep without a winch/strap, or some more wheelbase.

 

LMAO. Shut your mouth. I just knew someone would be along to say something. And I figured they'd be from Ohio too, but not you. More like Dirt Dog Anyway, I actually prefer it when there's a new moon on the beach

 

Oh man . . .

Yah know, after looking at gearing options, here is what I see:

Teraflex 4.1:1 = $1300
new NP 231HD = $1600
NV4500 Swap = $1900

The NV4500 doubles your low range in 1st gear.
The NP231HD & the Ter gears give you the same low range, but for $300 the new HD case is a much better buy due to the new rear flange, stronger casing, etc. Plus, its NEW for $300 more.

Oh, and on the 7-up thing . . .

we went up the back where you have the 3 steps (3' ledges). I tried a few times, but my suspension sucks so I couldn't get the flex I needed to get past the first step.

 

That's totally understandable about the 7-up thing. I was thinking you had troubles on the other part, where it's rated easiest.

About the t-case dilema, you said $1600 for a NP231HD. The NP231HD through JB is only $925. The one for $1600 was the one I'm telling you about. Its the NVG241OR. It's got a SYE on it, and 4:1 gears installed. Plus it's a LOT beefier than a NP231. Just thought I'd clarify.

 

Sorry, I meant the NVG241OR, not their HD kit. Their HD kit is nice, but without a lower gearset its a lot of money for what it does. I guess my problem is that i am use to spending a lot less money for what you get on other vehicles. I mean, in a Samurai, you can get 6:1 gearsets for your t-case for under $850.

 

Another option to consider is a dana 300 with a 4:1 gear set and flip kit. The 300 is a super beefe case and is shorter than an atlas 2. The flip kit is around $700, 4:1 is about $800, then a clocking ring is $100 if you want a flat skid plate, and you can get a d300 for between 100-200 if you look around so for 300 with a flat skid, twin sticks and 4:1 is around $1800 including the steel for a flat skid and miss other parts add $50 for each cv yoke you need. You can also add twin stick shifters for almost nothing if that's important. Jammy is putting a non flipped 300 in his yj and i have a non flipped 300 in my tj, we are both running passangers side drop front axles which is an alternative to the flip kit. The 300 is probably the best option because you can get 2 low and it's smaller and shorter than a 241 or 231 giving you longer drive shafts. Keep in mind your getting close to atlas 2 terriortory when you start upgrading a 300 or swapping in a 241, you can get atlas 2 for just over 2 grand if you shop around.

BarrelRoll

 

Ok, well here is another option then:

Swap in a Passenger Side drop front axle = $500 w/ gears
Samurai divorced T-case w/ 6:1 gears = $900
Driveshaft modifications = $200

Now I would have 6:1 gears, which would give me
over 100:1 gear ratio for the same price for under 2k. The thing is, I would need to swap in a tranny for a 2 wheel drive so I have a rear flange or driveshaft.

 

will a sami case hold up to the power of a jeep motor? I know you can run dual zuk cases, burned bronco does it though his zook never sees the road or above 20 mph, there's something with oiling on the front case, he's also running a 4:1 in 1 case with a 1.6, that thing crawls like a monster and has some pep but i'm not sure if i'd put zook cases in a jeep beacuse jeeps are probably 1000 lbs heavier and have more power. I'm also not sure what you'd do about drive shaft yokes, i think bruned bronco had to drill his out to run spicer flanges.

BarrelRoll

 

I have seen a few zuk cases ran behind T350s, so I know they can hold up to the abuse. It just really seems to be the best alternative since it is cheaper than a serious off-road t-case (Klune-Vs for example), but it offers a SERIOUS gear reduction.

I know this is a stupid question, but did Wrangler's ever come in 2 wheel drive? In other words, how hard woudl it be to take my tranny and convert it to have a flange on the back (or even an output so I coudl make a really short output shaft with a flange)? I would be willing to try this since I can get a passenger side drop axle fairly cheap.
I can sell my D30 front for a decent amount because it has 4.56gears & locker too.

 

When it comes to the NVG241OR, what do you do about a speedo hookup? It looks like all it has is the electronic one.