i have a 89 Auto tranny 242TC

if i would to remove the rear DS will the transfer case empty itself of fluid?

Some will but not all will.

so i will need to drain and replace the TC fluid ok thanks

another question will a driveshaft from a 2000 cherokee fit my 89? i measured my current DS and its 30.5 inches eye to eye and the driveshaft from a 2000 measured 29.5 inches

the reason i want to use the shorter DS is because i am doing a Dana 44 swap and ppl been telling me i need a shorter drive shaft

here is what my current yoke look like, do u think i will need a shorter DS when i install my D44 axle? i currently have 4.5 inch lift and 1 inch transfer case drop

Unsure on that.

Read this looks like 1 inch shorter works.....http://industryfigure.com/berkeley/Jeep/dana44/

ok thanks

another question will i have to transfer the yoke from my 89 to the shorter driveshaft that came out from a 01? do they have same spline count?