The Novak #SK2X Shifter Assembly
for the
Jeep New Process / New Venture Models
231, 207 and 242 Transfer Cases

Assembled view of the SK2X. Knob sold separately, below.

Jeep people know that between the Jeep driver's right hand and the core shifting mechanism at the NP / NVG transfer case is an overly complex linkage maze that increases shifting friction, mixes up clean leveraging and even pops the transfer case out of gear in certain situations.

The Novak Shifter Kit
From YJ & TJ Wranglers, to XJ, MJ and ZJ Jeeps, our shifter replaces everything from the shift plate at the transfer case, right up to the shifter knob in the driver’s hand - in all of these Jeeps.

It will shift the 207, 231 (four position), 242 (five position) transfer cases, as well as 4:1 low conversion cases, and even NP231 units with aftermarket “2 Low” shift plates.

This is a universally designed shifter that will accommodate all the above Jeeps with factory powetrains as well as Jeeps with transmission conversions using all Novak and some other brands of adapter assemblies.

The shifter’s universal nature and wide range of adjustability puts the installer in control of the installation, with the design freedom needed to suit their particular situation and preferences. Body lifts, transfer case drops and other variables are easily surmounted, thus its broad compatability and finally its ease of use.

Kit, SK2X Shifter Assembly for New Process 231, 207, & 242 transfer cases Part: #SK2X Weight: 6 lbs. Price: $154.00 Options: - select your transfer case - NP231 NP242 NP207 Buy: Notes: Includes the shifter cane, anchor bracket, lever bracket, shifting plates, actuator rod, pivot bolt, spring, fastening hardware, temporary shaping shift cane and instructions. Shift knob is separate, below

A trend of “dumbing down” transfer case shifters has long been in effect. With the advent of the New Process chain driven transfer cases, a single shifter with a “Z-gate” design was introduced, ostensibly as a safety to keep the operator or occupants in the Jeep from inadvertently shifting the transfer case during operation. This Z-gate contributes to the hard, clunky, rigid feel of shifting so many have disliked. Perhaps at even greater fault is the complex maze of linkage rods, joints and brackets that zig and zag their way, eventually arriving to the transfer case shift plate.

Of note is the welcomed simplicity of the elegant design offered by New Process, in that the rotating action of the shift plate on the transfer case proper, works in a clean, smooth manner - when independent of the OEM linkages between the driver and the transfer case itself.

Other Transfer Cases The Jeep and some Dodge New Process / New Venture transfer cases have the only bolt pattern that our shifter accomodates. Chevy, GM and Ford versions will not accept it as their bolt patterns differ.

Benefits at a Glance:

• Restore and improve shifting action in Jeeps with suspension and especially body lifts
• Provide a clean shifting mechanism for conversion transmissions (manual or automatic) being adapted to the Jeep transfer cases
• Provide a crisp shifting feel and greater sense of control to the driver of the Jeep.
• Eliminate shifter kick-outs and resulting transfer case damage by replacing problematic factory linkages
• The shift pattern is not reversed from factory when installed, i.e. 2 Hi, frontmost, 4Lo, rearmost

The bender rod as installed, showing an example configuration.

Read up! The instructions are available in PDF, here: Included with the #SK2X kit is an easily bendable, mock-up shift cane, allowing the installer to mold and bend it to the proper shape to configure the installation prior to bending the actual steel shift cane. This dummy rod is inserted into the shifter bracket and then bent in any angle required to place the top of the shifter into the Jeep. Once the installer is satisfied with the shape and geometry, the rod is removed and can then be used as a template for the bends in the real rod. If the installer is uncomfortable with the bending process, the dummy rod can be taken to a fabricator as the blueprint. Novak's SK2X kit has been designed for a variety of Jeeps and their gearbox options. It was a primary goal to make its installation as simple as possible. However, the installer will require some mechanical ability, an understanding of the principles of leverage, and the skill and facility to bend the shifter cane (typically using heat) to suit the particular Jeep's need. If you are uncomfortable with such work, we recommend the services of a skilled mechanic.

- Shifter Knobs -

The Novak StriaShift Knob

Knob, shifter, StriaShift style Part: #K101 Weight: 0.3 lbs. Price: $36.30 Options: - select your knob finish - Natural Machined Aluminum Black Anodized Aluminum Options: - select your knob engraving - Standard Four Position 2H-4H-N-4L Modified 2lo 2H-4H-N-4L-2L NP242 Five Position, 2H-4PT-4FT-N-4L Five Speed Transmission 1-2-3-4-5-R SM420 Transmission SM465 Transmission NP435 Transmission Early T18 Transmissions Later T18 Transmission Plain - no engraved text Buy:

The Series I Shift Knob

Knob, shifter, Series I style Part: #K100 Weight: 0.3 lbs. Price: $36.30 Options: - select your knob finish - Natural Machined Aluminum Black Anodized Aluminum Options: - select your knob engraving - Standard Four Position 2H-4H-N-4L Modified 2lo 2H-4H-N-4L-2L NP242 Five Position, 2H-4PT-4FT-N-4L Five Speed Transmission 1-2-3-4-5-R SM420 Transmission SM465 Transmission NP435 Transmission Early T18 Transmissions Later T18 Transmission Plain - no engraved text Buy:

 

Additional styles and finishes can also be purchased at LiteGrip.com.

 

The Shifter Boot

We searched wide and far and found that this shifter boot provides an essentially perfect size for the port in the Jeep's floor. The deep pleats allow for generous travel and the included stainless steel bezel ring can be attached to the Jeep floor using sheet metal screws. The thru-hole in the boot is rectangular, vis a vis the round Novak cane, but if a total seal is required, a high quality vinyl tape will do this great. Boot, SK2X shifter Part: #SK-BOOT Weight: .4 lbs. Price: $16.74 Buy: Notes: Includes the boot and stainless steel bezel ring

 

 

Our goal at Novak was to simplify the shifting mechanism, at first for our many customers performing engine and transmission conversions, but then for the many running stock powertrains unhappy with the shifting action, and the many situations where the complex linkage causes the transfer case to pop out of its range or mode unexpectedly. Our assembly also eliminates the bindings that occur in the factory linkages, especially those caused by flex when on the trail or rocks, that have a detrimental effect on the shifting process, and therefore on the performance of the Jeep.

The transmission shown is the GM 4L60-E as adapted to the Jeep NP231. All conversion transmissions using Novak adapters are compatible with the SK2X, including some other adapter brands.