Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) NEED SOME QUICK ANSWERS ON TRANSFER CASES 241 LD vs 241 HD

[Motorhead]

A friend of mine in Washington state has a line on a new H. O. 4WD from Smith up in Idaho. The question that He asked me... that I don't know the answer is what is the difference between the NV 241LD and the NV 241 HD. The truck he wants has the LD transfer. He doesn't plan on alot of 4 wheeling or oversized tires. What gives... It would seem to me that the H. O. would come std with the HD transfer case. NEED A QUICK,KNOWLEGEABLE ANSWER, He put a 24 hour refundable deposite on it. Chris

 

[tarussell]

T o the best of my knowledge the differences between the L. D. and the H. D. are the provision for a P. T. O. on the H. D. ,the mainshaft has an extra bearing for support for the P. T. O. gear--I don't know if it is a thrust brg. or a radial brg. . The front half of the case is also made out of different material than the L. D. case.

I ordered my truck w/ the snowplow option to get the H. D. case,but I think all of the 3500's come w/the H. D. case as standard equipment.



Some literature I have read indicated that the H. D. case had a wider chain in it but I don't know if that is true. If anybody has info on these case's PLEASE share... ...



I hope this helps your friend.

 

[Motorhead]

Thanks, I should clarify that it is going to be a 2500 4X4. Smith is telling him that no more '02s are to be ordered(?), they are just getting what they are allotted. Antbody know about this also?

 

[Texas Diesel]

the 241HD has a larger chain, higher torque rating, PTO, holds more lubricant, and one extra bearing ( cant remember which one ) well worth $95 if he can get one.

 

[Motorhead]

Thanks Texas D, If this is all He can get,(doesn't want an '03) and what I described as his useage, any negatives?

Does anyone know the torque ratings of both cases?

 

[SS]

Chris,



According to a chart I have published by NVG in 1997, the 241 has an input torque rating of 1028 ft-lb and the 241HD has a rating of 1400 ft-lb. (I have seen different numbers thrown around. ) According to this the cases are all aluminum, but maybe that changed (my 241HD appears to be all aluminum?) I believe that the chain on the 241HD is wider as someone else mentioned already, but I can't give you the exact numbers tonight. I think I would still buy it if it had the standard 241. Hope that helps.

 

[Motorhead]

DTW, Thanks for the ratings. I will e-mail to my friend and future Dodge/Cummins owner. Next is to get him on the TDR! At 1028ft lbs rating for the LD, that is twice what the H. O. is going to put out in stock form. Thanks to all of you guys! Chris

 

[rspinks]

Not to bring you down but the t-case can (in theory) see 5. 63 times the engine torque in 1st gear, like 2800+ ftlbs . There was a previous thread about this and it was argued that you would break traction with all 4 wheels on pavement before you reach this torque, but it still scares me. There is a maximum torque rating for these xfer cases of ~5000ftlbs and I think it's the same for both the 241LD and the 241HD.



I have a 241LD in my truck so I have to defend it. Theory aside, I haven't heard of too many regular 241's breaking, and there must be a fair number of people pulling, racing and generally abusing them with bombs attached. At least that's what I tell myself for peace of mind .

 

[Roger rodbolt]

To further confuse you......

Chris,

The HD also has a larger diameter output shaft. I believe that the torque ratings are not only for engine torque but for consideration of torque multiplication from gearing. Another thing that I've heard is the HD transfer cases are much weaker due to the PTO hole. My truck has a LD and I've been sled pulling with more engine torque then the case is rated and have had no trouble. There very well may be some truth to the HD having case cracking problems, as I purchased a 2002 HD with a broken case (wrecked truck) and almost gave up finding a core HD. Finally found one in Indianapolis that they had robbed the tailhousing off and mine was good. If I wanted the truck I would buy without regard to the transfer case.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I ordered my Ram with the 241HD and in retrospect I am REAL glad I did so

 

[B_Rud]

I've got a 01 ETH with the 241HD and just snapped the output shaft sled pulling. I'd say that it doesn't really matter which xfer case he gets it will hold up under normal use and there'll be some failures for those of use really putting the parts to the test.

 

[tarussell]

I talked to a builder at New Venture Gear and he confirmed the following.....

The 241 H. D. case is stronger-the front half and the tail shaft housing are made out of different material.



The continous input torque is 1,400 ft-lbs



The maximum input torque is 5,555 ft-lbs



He also said there are different service factors for the H. D. case's.



I personally ordered my truck with the 241 H. D. for the extra durability,but I still think the 241 L. D. is a good T/C... I think the best people to ask about how strong these case's are would be the sled pullers,that has got to be the tuffest test on the drivetrain!

Just my $. 02

 

[FDNYMOPARGUY]

When my '02 was ordered, the dealer goofed and left off the 241 HD. I took it anyway. No problems to date(knock on wood), but I've seen a few threads about people developing leaks with the HD case, so maybe the standard 241 isn't that bad. Besides, max torque ratings are the same 5555 ft/lbs (per New Veture Gear). The 241LD in the diesel trucks is actually designated the 241DLD designed to be heavier duty than the 241 used in the gas engine trucks. I think the 241DLD has a GVW of 10500lbs vs. 11000 lbs for the 241HD(8800 lbs for the 241LD). Hope this helps you.

 

[klenger]

If your friend likes everything else about the truck, tell him to buy it. If he didn't know there was an optional HD case, he'd never even know the difference.



This is another situation of "why does DC even offer a LD xfer case?" I think the dealer where I bought my truck doesn't even order trucks without the HD case or snowplow package (which includes HD case). I don't think they order 5 speeds either.

 

[MJawsman]

I think the dealer where I bought my truck doesn't even order trucks without the HD case or snowplow package (which includes HD case).

The snowplow prep package on the Diesel is the addition of the HD transfer case only. The only other add on to that package is heavier front springs, but those are automatically installed with the Cummins. If you read the window sticker, the snowplow prep is $185, and at the bottom it shows an $85 credit. The difference ($100) is the cost of the HD transfer case.



Right or wrong, it's how it was explained to me.

 

[fj40charles]

Or be sure to get the "shift on the fly" option because that will give you the 241HD case. Well worth it IMHO.



Charles

 

[willyslover]

after the fact [of the purchas]. . the HD has triple planitary gears v/s single just an fyi that has not been mentioned. . most parts are not interchangable.

 

[Oxjockey]

I know my HD shift a heck of a lot better than my old gas 241 did!



Not sure if the LD would shift as well, but...



Bryan

 

[rspinks]

The 241LD in my truck shifts worse than the 241 in my previous gasser, especially when cold. If it's below -10c I can't even shift from 2h to 4h without slowing almost to a stop.



I have 039/047 springs in mine w/o the plow package (way too soft IMO). I thought the plow prep trucks got the heavier 047/048 springs? I also thought all 3500's come with 047/048 springs but yesterday I saw one with 039/047.

 

[Motorhead]

Thanks for info! I learned a few things myself. This late in the game,(end of the model and generation year), He hasn't alot of choices. They located a truck for him that has everything that he wanted except the 241HD. Thanks again,Chris