Novak Shift Cable On Np-242

[flint54]

It can be done. Novak says it should work fine as is. I say it can be

made to work, but it will take some customizing. Their cable shifter

is smooth as silk, very well made, and will work out of the box for NP-231.

 

For NP-242 it required some changes. The NP-242 shift sector has five

positions and requires a significant arc swing betwen 2-High and 4-Low.

 

With Novak shift lever installed to the T case, that arc translates into a throw

distance of 3.20 inches. The Novak cable has a total available throw

length of 3.10 inches. Their fixed brackets limit the adjustment range of

the cable ends so it is nearly impossible to effectively get the full throw.

 

Here's how to make it work.

 

First, you need to open the slots in the shift gate, both front and back, 1/4 inch each way.

 

 

 

Next, the threaded rod at the shifter end of the Novak cable needs to be

shortened to 5/8" total threaded length, measured from the nut that remains

installed.. This permits the ball fitting adapter to thread down fully and was

neccessary to achieve the throw length match. be sure to carefully chase these

threads before reinstalling the ball fitting.

 

 

The outer cable adjustment at the shifter end needs to be set completely forward as shown here.

 

 

The outer cable adjustment at the T-case lever end needs to be set completely aft as shown here.

 

 

And when I say completely, I mean one nut has just barely full thread engagement.

 

Now, the change that really made the biggest difference is to shorten the arc

length of the Novak shift lever so that the total required throw length (from 2H to 4L)

is reduced to just under 3.0 inches. I played with some numbers and came up with

requiring a new attach hole that is 1/2" center to center from the original hole.

 

Shown here in layout.

 

 

And here after drilling.

 

 

And here as installed.

 

 

I'm really pleased with how this turned out, and the only thing I might consider

doing is to create a longer arm on the OEM shifter where the Novak cable ball

fitting attaches. It should also eliminate the need to change the shift gate slots.

[reece146]

Very nice. This is fiddly stuff that most people don't have the patience to get right but it looks like you've nailed it.

[HOrnbrod]

:agree: You should send this to Novak so they can make appropriate mods (or at least let customers know) for those in the future using the shift cable on a NP242 case.

[Casper2000]

_{Is the Jeep NP 242 the same shift pattern as the GM NP 242 ? Being 4low is at the top N below and 2WD below that then 4Hi}

[comanche87]

Is this a kit u can buy or need to make it?

[Blue88Comanche]

Novak sells 2 shifter kits, a cable based kit (like on this thread), and a linkage based kit.