Remanufactured Jasper NP241 or let local shop rebuild?

[Kirth Gersen]

1994 K1500 Blazer, 250K miles, led a very gentle life. No towing, no offroading, stock suspension.
Last night, truck started making horrible, "grinding gear" noises when I slowly accelerate from a stop.

A local mechanic has traced problem to the NP241 transfer case. No external cracks or leaks, something FUBAR internally.

What are common internal problems withe NP241 transfer cases?

The local mechanic has quoted an $1800-2400 price range if he rebuilds it, depending on what he finds inside. But, I'm concerned because the shop doesn't do this very often -- he's a general mechanic, not a 4WD drivetrain specialist -- and it's my belief that you have to do medium-to-high volumes of something to be really good at it.

Alternative he proposed, after some pushing from me, was a remanufactured transfer case from
Jasper Engines ( https://www.jasperengines.com/transfer-cases ) at about $2700 for parts+ labor.

Anyone have experiences w/ Jasper reman cases? Jasper's internet reviews for engines and trannies are mixed -- but it's human nature to only write when you have something to complain about.

Frustrating to need a $2000+ repair, since I was only planning to keep truck another few months.
(BTW, I live in the Manhattan-Hermosa-Redondo beach cities area of LA County.)

 

[Doubeleive]

I like these guys, price might even be hair less or the same and you can get a no fault warranty which includes parts & labor
kind of hard to beat a nationwide warranty for virtually the same price and you don't have to deal with the local guy trying to back out of the warranty by saying you abused it or whatever.

https://www.powertrainproducts.net/

 

[east302]

If you’re only keeping it for a few months then I would either sell it now as-is or put a salvage yard transfer case in.

It may be difficult to recoup $2,000 in your sale price.

A second opinion may be in order to determine the extent of repairs required, but I agree that a more experienced shop should probably do the work. You might also compare a GM rebuild. They may be competitively priced.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Erickk120]

If I were you I would also go for the salvage route, 2000+ for a transfer case is too much in my book. As far as you know it could just be a bad chain that is rattling a lot and that would be 60 bucks. If you can find one used for a reasonable price get it, Here I can get a np246 for less than 200 dollars used. Sure you can find a 241 for a little bit more up there.

 

[Shaw520]

Theyre not that complicated to rebuild,...or just go thru it and see what needs replacing.

 

[Kirth Gersen]

Thanks for all the advice.
I decided to install a used transfer case, the total labor + parts is mid-$1100s , and the local shop provides a 90-day parts & labor warranty. The mileage isn't known, but w/ 90-day warranty it shouldn't be too bad.
I will keep the old case (no core charge), just in case the replacement used case fails prematurely, or the truck's next owner is ambitious & wants to rebuild it.

 

[Mechanic421]

I am not a jasper fan I just have to replace the seals on my low mileage transfer case that they just rebuild!

 

[YAMBAG]

I picked up a used 241 from a junkyard last summer for $125. I replaced all the seals and bearings in it for another #150 or so and it was back in my truck in about 2 hours. They are extremely easy to rebuild. There isnt much inside them