IDN-401 NP231, NP233, NP241, NP242 Input Bearing Width Tech Help

IDN-401 NP231, NP233, NP241, NP242 Input Bearing Width Tech Help Most New Process and New Venture NP231, NP233, NP241, and NP242 series transfer cases used in Chevy, Dodge, GMC, Jeep, and Ram 4x4s use input bearings of the same inside and outside diameters. However, two different width bearings were used, either QU50874 single row 16mm (5/8") width bearing with 14 11/32" Balls or QU50873 double row 15/16" width bearing with 24 3/8" balls. During the 1990's, New Process was building transfer case models that for a given application were interchangeable as assemblies, but used different input shafts and input bearings. While a narrow bearing cannot be used on an input made for the wide bearing and visa-versa, the combined matching bearings and shafts are totally interchangeable for similar applications.

When rebuilding a transfer case, you obviously need the same width bearing as the original. When you have to replace your input shaft either due to wear issues or for a conversion, you have the option of changing the bearing width along with the input shaft. Many 231/233/241/242 Input Shafts are physically interchangeable as long as you use the correct input bearing for the shaft. For example, If you are doing a manual transmission swap on a 1998 Automatic transmission equipped Cummins powered Ram 3500 truck with NP241DHD Assembly number 52105028, you can replace the original QU50640 input shaft/QU50874 Single Row Narrow Bearing with QU10889 29 Spline Input/QU50873 Double Row Wide Bearing.

Both the Single Row and Double Row Bearings were used in applications from little 4 cylinder SUVs to High Output Cummins Diesel powered Ram 1 ton trucks. For performance applications, replacing a Single Row Bearing/Input combo with the higher load rated Double Row Bearing (plus matching input) would be a good upgrade, however for stock engine applications both bearing types are fully able to handle original equipment engine horsepower and torque.

Also See:
IDN-400 NP241D Planetary Tooth Differences
IDN-402 Input Shaft High Range Clutch Teeth
IDN-403 NP231/NP241 Input Shaft Chart
IDN-404 ID My 1994-2002 Dodge NP241DLD or NP241DHD Transfer Case.
XV-400 1998-2002 Dodge NP241DHD Input Shaft and Related Parts
XV-401 1998-2002 Dodge NP241DLD Input Shaft and Related Parts
XV-402 1994-1997 Dodge NP241DHD Input Shaft and Related Parts
XV-403 1994-1997 Dodge NP241DLD Input Shaft and Related Parts