Novak Conversions has announced the
release of a universal transfer case shifter for Jeeps called the SK2X
Shifter Assembly. Designed for YJ & TJ Wranglers, to XJ, MJ and ZJ
Jeeps,
the 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) and 242 (five
position) transfer cases, as well as 4:1 low conversion cases, and
units with aftermarket "4-Low" shift plates.
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 any
unrestrained 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.
Novak's goal was to simplify the
shifting
mechanism, where the complex linkage causes the transfer case to pop
out of its range or mode unexpectedly. The assembly is designed to also
eliminate 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.