Just got my 2000 XJ and wanted to know a little more about the t-case. I know its a 242 but that's about it. On the bottom of the tag it says 272 which I was told was the gearing. Are these good t-cases to have?

My buddy and I went trail riding and he got stuck. When I went to pull him out 4 full time didn't seem to do the trick. I put it into 4 part time and out he came. What's the difference?

Thanks for the help!

 

First, if you have an owners manual, read through it, it explain how the system works and when to use/not use it. Full Time can be used on paved roads and has a center differential. Off-road you want Part Time, but do NOT take it on paved roads as the front and rear axles are locked together.

 

When I had my 242 my Full time never worked. My part time 4x4 did but I just sold it and bought a 231 and swapped it out. Prolly the best upgrade I did on my Jeep so far.

 

The 242 vs 231 debate will go on forever... it basically comes down to your location and the weather type you get.

Here in Pa, and other areas that tend to have winters with snow... i'll always have a 242.

 

The 242 vs 231 will be a to each his own debate. The past couple years our winters we have gotten pretty good snow. But i'm also from Flint, Michigan and we can snow like PA. A couple of feet. My XJ runs great in MI and TN. I like the 231 because it is smaller in diameter and more compact and I haven't stretched the chain at all where the 242 I stretched it out twice in 2 years and I had Tennessee Off Road rebuild it the second time to make sure I didn't mess up and it still messed up. But you really have to use both to see which one you like better.

 

just as northwoods said the 242 has a center diff for full time, I like cuz I can do full lock turns off road where my buddy does multiple point turns haha, I followed my buddy around and fulltime worked fine even with my bald tires
I thought mine didn't work when I got it but that was just the bulb