Need new np246 TC

[ThinBlue82]

I have been lurking for several months and have found this forum to be awesome!! Thank you all for your contributions as it's saved me a good bit of money as I try to resurrect my Denali.
I have a 99 Yukon Denali with 217k miles on the orginal motor and trans setup. No real off road adventures and I don't pull with it. The truck sat for a years or so and recently I noticed the transfer case sounds like it has a marble floating around in it. The truck drives fine and the 4wd engages but sounds nasty. I need a new TC but am not sure where to go. Jasper? eBay? My local shop says they can get a reman for $1500 installed with a 1 yr warranty. Is this a good deal? I am located in Maryland if someone has any suggestions. Also, I have owned the truck since 2002 when I purchased it from Carmax.

 

[1998Suburban]

$1500 is in the ballpark. I was quoted $1600 by a reputable trans builder but ended up rebuilding my own for $600 or so. If you do tackle a rebuild you'll need a j-44295 clutch pack setup tool (picked mine up on ebay).

If you want a turnkey solution I'd stop at the local trans shop (Mr. Transmission around here) and see if they will rebuild it on site. I got burned buying a reman ATK engine from the big box parts store. It was reman in Mexico and lasted 282 miles before spitting up cam bearings. Make sure they use the case saver on the new oil pump. Merchant Automotive has a nice one for the 246.

 

[SunlitComet]

http://www.transfercases.com/order.htm they include the updated casing.

 

[ThinBlue82]

Thanks for the feedback. I will check them out.

 

[1998Suburban]

New rear case half, updated oil pump, or both?

 

[SunlitComet]

should be all the fixings. any reputable shop always includes all the updates in trannys and t-cases.

 

[ThinBlue82]

The link I was given says their transfer case comes with the upgraded rear housing and new internals and seals. The listed price is $795 with an exchange. I imagine that means I have to send them my old TC and they will give me a core refund assuming it meets their criteria. Transfer Case Express has great reviews and is BBB rated. Looks like a good find. I plan to reach out to them next week to place my order.

Thanks, Sunlit!

 

[SunlitComet]

you send back the old unit and you pay the shipping as well i believe.

 

[ThinBlue82]

So I contacted the good folks at transfercase.com as Sunlit recommended. It's $795 for a reman NP246 with upgraded internals and the newer heavy duty rear housing to address the pump rub issue. There's a $100 round trip shipping fee on top of that and that's pretty much it. They charger you a $250 core fee ONLY if you don't return the core in a timely manner. Their unit comes with a 1yr warranty with unlimited miles. My order has already been placed! Thank you forum!!