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NP249 Viscous Coupler

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Old Mar 4, 2009 | 08:01 PM
  #1  
whowey's Avatar
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From: Northern Illinois
Year: 90
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Default NP249 Viscous Coupler

Well... my T-case has started the infamous binding feeling when its warmed up.

It still doesn't act like anything is wrong when its cold. So I havent had one problem all winter long. Now today when it was relatively warm.. I had a few extra stops to make and I get the binding pulling through the drive thru at the bank.

But on my way home today after the truck sat all day... no binding.(short drive--7 miles)

From doing some reading this certainly seems like the VC is heading out.. If it completely goes out.. Is the ZJ still driveable just without AWD?? or without 4wd all together???
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Old Mar 4, 2009 | 08:35 PM
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If it goes out it will lock up completely. Than you will start wearing out front end parts..

I'd say start looking for another T-case now.. You'll need to replace yours.
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Old Mar 4, 2009 | 08:49 PM
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Yep, what nick said. Dont remove and drive without that front shaft.. that'll accelerate the problem from what i read.

Time for a 242 perhaps?
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Old Mar 5, 2009 | 05:27 PM
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Originally Posted by nick_n_ii
If it goes out it will lock up completely. Than you will start wearing out front end parts..

I'd say start looking for another T-case now.. You'll need to replace yours.
Thanks... that is what I was afraid of... Looks like the last working NP249 is on its way out...


Originally Posted by OverlandXJ
Yep, what nick said. Dont remove and drive without that front shaft.. that'll accelerate the problem from what i read.

Time for a 242 perhaps?

I would LOVE to get one... but I have a 231 sitting in the parts pile needing to be opened up and checked...
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Old Mar 5, 2009 | 07:42 PM
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If you use the 231 you will need a front drive shaft from a XJ. The stock front drive shaft from the ZJ will be about 1" to long. I found this out the hard way.. (trashed out my front axle pinion bearing)
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Old Mar 5, 2009 | 09:35 PM
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I did not know that nick. So a 249 front shaft is 1" longer than an XJ stock shaft... is the 249 shaft the same type? 1310 and double cardan?

I could see this being usefull on a tall XJ.
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Old Mar 5, 2009 | 09:44 PM
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Yep same type, style and u-joints. Just about 1" longer, do to the over all length of the 249 being about 1" longer..
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Old Jun 8, 2011 | 01:07 PM
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Ok sorry about bringing a thread back from the dead but i'm guessing i would need to grab the front drive shaft for a swap? i got a np231HD and i'm swapping it into my 4.0 ZJ
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Old Jun 9, 2011 | 12:12 AM
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Hi, i have followed many of the posts about replace the 249, but many also said that the 249 is a very good TC for normal usage and for winter/snow use. It must be better to replace the VC in a 249 if the car is used for normal use? It's seems like an easy jobb too, or?
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Old Jun 10, 2011 | 11:14 AM
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Buying the VC part is about the same or a little higher price than just buying a entire transfer case from the junkyard or classifieds
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Old Feb 21, 2017 | 10:16 PM
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[QUOTE=whowey;136175]Thanks... that is what I was afraid of... Looks like the last working NP249 is on its way out...

Hahaha. I'm pretty sure I have the last working one.
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Old Feb 22, 2017 | 07:03 AM
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Actually, the later np247 is an improved np249 with a better VC. However, it doesn't have the speed sensor in it. Maybe someone could find out if the later VC will fit in the np249. From what I've heard, the new VC is not a sealed unit, but uses the entire case fluid for cooling.
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