Well this seems a little worrisome... I have a 96 231 and part time indicator. I also live in Denver and we get snow, but what if I wanna drive in "4hi/part time" when its snowing, but the roads aren't snow packed or icy, or maybe just look wet but I cant tell if its ice? Like maybe the plows came through and there's just slush, or its a powder snow and its not sticking to the road and just blowing away, but I want 4x4 just in case things get hairy...? Do I ere on the side of caution and throw it in 4-hi so I dont end up in a ditch or something? Or save my jeep and only use 4-hi when I know my wheels can slip easier on the road?

 

You can use 4x4 just shift back into 2wd if your feel any binding.

 

Exactly. Hell, you can drive on dry pavement in 4LO all day as long as you're only going straight.

 

Well my drive to work is only about 8 miles, and 80% straight-ish road..... so I'd say I'm pretty good then. Really only need it in the neighborhood where they don't plow. Main roads are usually pretty good...

 

242 Is the best option for driving on roads with slippy patches like snow or rain, that's probably the main reason to get one.
There is a green light for Full Time on the dash (on my 97) as well as the yellow Part Time light.

 

FYI - I believe the light only comes on for Part-Time as a kind of warning to get out of this mode if you are on hard surface with traction. Only use Part-Time if axles can slip some. Mine never had a light for Full-Time that I can recall.

 

My 97 has a green full time light that worked when I had the NP242 in it.

 

My 2000 WJ with the 242 only has a part time light. My 2000 XJ with the 231 has no light, unless it's burnt out.

 

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the 242 also used for our Jeeps that meant it had the Select-Trac 4wd system? And the 231 transfer case was for the Command Trac 4wd system?

 

because if memory also serves... the Select Trac system has the Full-Time 4wd option and the Command Trac system does not.....
I know mine has the Command Trac and it's kind of a goofy way to get into 4 Low if you don't want to grind the gears.
1. have to be going less than 5 mph (with foot OFF the skinny pedal)
2. (at least with the AW4)... shift the transmission into neutral
3. Then you can shift the transfer case lever from 4 High into 4 Low
4. Then and only then.... shift the transmission back into a forward gear.
Then do the same steps to get back out of 4 Low when you're done/ready to.

 

The 242 has a full time light, but it can burn out. Mine went intermittent about a month ago. It's currently staying off, but I'll probably pull the dash to replace the bulb.

 

There's nothing that "smart" on an XJ. The light comes on depending on the mode selected, it doesn't tell you if you're in the wrong mode.

 

I don't want to pick nits, BUT as stated previously, my WJ HAS no full time light. I've had the cluster apart several times and when I switched to LEDs, I shined a light thru the back of each warning light to see what it did. No Full Time Light.

 

i have never had a 242 full time case. only 231 part time and i live in very snowy conditions. i use 4x4 all the time up here. i've been driving jeeps for about 20 years. i just know when to shift in and out while driving down the road.

if you see a snowy patch, shift into 4hi, then once you get back on dry pavement, shift back into 2wd, but i've totally forgotten, many times, and never had a problem, but with that said, try to remember to shift back into 2wd.
you can drive your jeep in 4hi on dry pavement, somewhat. i mean, sure, if you're going straight, it doesn't matter. it seems to only really matter when you're turning sharp, or like doing figure 8's in a dry parking lot. but just for most surface roads, it doesn't like it, but will be somewhat forgiving, if you ever do forget. you can usually feel it in the handling when turning to remind you you're in 4wd.

 

Yes that is correct, and shifting into 4 low is the same procedure for both transfer cases.