my 2001 has the NP231 transfer case, and my old 1990 has the NP242, which I really love. Use the full time 4x4 option a lot in the winter, with our snow/rain mix up here in the pac. northwest that keeps our streets slick in the winter.

Is this something I can just replace? Get an NP242 and simply replace the existing NP231, or is it more complicated than that?

Is this even a good or reasonable (or even possible?) idea? I don't know much about transmissions or transfer cases, so forgive me if this is a dumb question.

They will interchange. You may need the shifter assembly as well as the 242 has an extra detent for the fulltime. Make sure that the years match due to spline counts. The 90 would not work in a 2001 due to input shaft spline count. 21 vs 23!!!!

oh wow, ok... I know nothing of splines. I'm going to have to do a lot of research then I guess.

Does Jeep even MAKE an NP242 transfer case for 2001 cherokees? I thought I read somewhere that they only made the NP231's.

When you say "make sure the years match", do you mean match between the transmission and transfer case?

just find a 242 in a 92 or newer cherokee, or even a grand cherokee with the inline 6 and you'll be good.... i had one in my 95 XJ and no it doesn't need an extra notch, it will shift through all the modes fine after you adjust the linkage properlly

No it is not that precise as there are only two choices 21 or 23 splines. So most any 242 after 90 will work. The Limited always had a 242 in each year so if you find a Limited then you will have found a 242. Just make sure it is newer than '90 and you will be good.

You guys are awesome, thanks so much

The dash lights won't say "Full Time" though, right? Do I need to get something for that too if I wanted to do it right and tell visually on the dash which mode I have it in?

actually i have heard there are different input shaft depths also

no offence to anyone here but i would do a little more research that just listening to a bunch of people tell you. look for write ups on this.......only reason i say this is because i tried to ''just ask'' on a few parts of my build, and of wich nothing turned out the way i wanted. it wasnt till i did more research and saw a wide veriety of the way people do things and how much ''different'' advise i got. i guess in the end.......im pretty sure it will work. i just went the opposite way and swapped in a 242 and just hopped it would work....mine bolted right in with no shifter linkage mods....just a little adjustment.................my $ .02

Hmmmm..... 2 posts you asked a lot of questions.

What does it matter if the dash light says it. I think there is a light in the dash already or at least a spot for one. If you look at the shifter bezel you'll know what mode its in. The shifter bezels are a direct swap too.

this isnt the only website to do research on there bud!! ive been wheeling for over 10 years and have owned 16 cherokees, 3 yj's, 2 tj's , and a grand. i also graduated from an auto tech collage and was a mechanic for 7 years. believe me i have asked way more than two questions............way to show how awesome you can be though!! good job. way to represent cherokeeforum.com to a newcomer!!

I can tell you that the 242 out of a 91 limited is a 23 spline t-case. I picked up a spare from another wrecked 91 just to have. Eventually I will rebuild it and install the sye and then swap but all in due time.

and im pretty sure he was asking if his full time light would work....not if you cared if it did now i have 4 posts!!

The full time light is just a nicety to polish off the install, I don't mind just buying a new bezel

I just didnt' know if it was possible to do this, and wanted to. Sounds like it can work, so I'll do some more research and will save a couple hundred bucks for a new transfer case and misc parts

Thanks to everyone who contributed