231 vs. 242 transfer cases...school me please
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 9
From: Paso Robles Ca
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
The difference is that the 242 has an extra differential component to it.
The 231 forces the front and rear tires must turn at the same speed. Bad for dry surfaces. PART TIME.
The 242 allows the front and rear tires to turn at different rates from each other because of the differential in the middle of the transfer case. FULL TIME
This has always been my understanding.
The 231 forces the front and rear tires must turn at the same speed. Bad for dry surfaces. PART TIME.
The 242 allows the front and rear tires to turn at different rates from each other because of the differential in the middle of the transfer case. FULL TIME
This has always been my understanding.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 775
Likes: 3
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
that makes good sense.. 
backwards in my mind since without the dif in the t-case it's true 4 wheel drive, as in the front can't get all the torque cause it getting less traction. but Jeep calls that "part time" even though all 4 wheels are getting torque all the time..
backwards in my mind since without the dif in the t-case it's true 4 wheel drive, as in the front can't get all the torque cause it getting less traction. but Jeep calls that "part time" even though all 4 wheels are getting torque all the time..Full Time implies that it can be driver 100% of the time in 4wd, on road, off road, wet, dry, everything.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Rome, NY
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
good info! i was looking for this for awhile now.
does either have any limitiations when it comes to lift installs? (tc drop, sye, etc?)
maybe dumb question, but still new to XJ's!
does either have any limitiations when it comes to lift installs? (tc drop, sye, etc?)
maybe dumb question, but still new to XJ's!
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Year: 86
yes, I dont think theres a sye for the 242, but maybe they have one out there now days
Cherokee Forum Vendor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: Grand Junction Colorado
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2
The other post referred to a 231 and 242.. ?
Cherokee Forum Vendor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 297
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From: Grand Junction Colorado
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,914
Likes: 5
Year: 1987
Model: Comanche
Engine: I6 4.0L
You can do a hack n tap on a 242 and it works fine I use mine on 35's and it holds up fine. basically I like the full time option but if you do use it you can't put an auto locker in the Dana 30...well you could but it would suck in my eyes 242 ftw!
Cherokee Forum Vendor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 297
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From: Grand Junction Colorado
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2
This may seem like a Dumb question: Full Time is for all surfaces... Part Time is slippery stuff... What does a guy uses when crawling rocks? Not Slippery... and Dry??
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
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Year: 86
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
Model: Cherokee
That is absolutely retarded how that is worded... in the jeep that is. but thank you very much. I never knew. Basically part-time means full-time as the rest of the world would think it? Right?
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 3
From: st.george utah
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: l6 4.0
What doesn't make sense to me is why would u need full time 4wd. If You are worried about loosing control obviously you are on loose ground or icey. And if that's the case part time would work great. If you are on pavement why would need 4wd anyways???? Seems to me like part time would work fine for anything. And since I have driven on part time on dry payment with no problems can't see why in a winter storm I would need full time.
