Hello everyone. I'm new here so this will be my first time posting, although I've read over many posts here already. I'm the proud new owner of a 2k XJ. I've had a couple YJs in the past also. Great forum and a great place to learn stuff.

Anyways, my Cherokees previous owner said he swapped out the transfer case. i looked under there today and the tag says 242. So its the np242 with the part time and full time 4 hi right? I'm wondering because the interior bezel is the regular 2/4hi/n/4lo pattern. could it just be the guy didn't replace the bezel? when I move the shifter I only feel the 4 positions. i was thinking maybe the original bezel is blocking 2 hi and I've just been driving around in 4 full time this whole time. my gas mileage had been pretty crappy... also, I'm not familiar with how the front axle engages on this one. On my wrangler it had vacuum lines but I don't see any on this one. just a tube coming out of the front differential that's been cut and I'm assuming that's the breather. any insight would be much appreciated guys. thanks!

 

The front axle is always connected in the XJ. If the previous owner swapped out the 231 for the 242 then the job was not completed. you will have to find a junker with the 242 in it and take out the shift bezel and the gated shifter. Your are right you may be driving around in 4HI right now. I would pull the front drive shaft until you are 100% certain on what gear you are in on the transfer case. It may be helpful to remove the shift links and manually place it in 2wd until you get the right bezel and shifter assembly.

 

woldnt you know right away on dry roads if your in 4wd?
i notice, right now!

 

4hi full time won't work with the front driveshaft disconnected though, he'd have to shift in part time if possible.

if you were driving in 4 part time you'd know right away with all the popping noises the gears would make.

 

well after doing some more research I think I've discovered through other people who've swapped the 231 for a 242 that the main difference is the shift gate. the 231 supposedly isn't long enough toward the back to allow 4lo. however my 4lo engages fine. I'm about to go pull the bezel off and check out the shift gate. also I know I'm not in 4 part time because it doesn't behave erratically on the pavement.

 

well I pulled the bezel and it is indeed the 231 shift gate. i played around with it and got it into all the positions. 2/4pt/4ft/n/4lo. the only difference is 4 full time is where neutral was on the 231. it's also very difficult to get it into and keep it in 4lo so I suppose I'll just cut the slot on the gate a little longer to accommodate 4 lo until I can get to a junk yard to find a proper gate.

 

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