this is a switch I've been wanting to make to my 2K1 for a while now... in NW Washington, when you can have roads that are alternatingly both icy and dry for miles (we sand, not salt the roads here, so the roads are often a mix of wet/dry)... switching in and out of 4wh drive only when your'e slipping is a PITA.

My old '90 Laredo has a 242... so I drive it every winter instead. On snow days (or days when snow's only partially melted on roads), having full-time 4wh drive is amazing.

So I've been trying to figure out exactly how to make this swap... I found a write-up online about how exactly to do the swap, and have read it... it seems fairly straight-forward.

if any of you are interested, though... I'd appreciate some knowledgeable feedback about how accurate the write-up is. A lot of you guys are pretty amazing XJ wizards, so I'd love to know if this is an accurate read-up or not.

The link to the article:
Thanks

 

the biggest thing you need to worry about is the 21 vs 23 spline. most of the time they are direct swaps but that can really mess you up. what i did was i called a jeep dealership with the vins of my vehicle and the one at the JY and they were able to tell me what came factory just by the vins

 

Wow, it really is that easy? I've wanted to do this after the awful winter I had last year but I thought it was more complex.

So you don't HAVE to change any of the gear shift linkages as long as I know where to modes are?

If it is just a straight TC swap then I am all over it.

 

that's what I was thinking too. All I need is the money for the TC but i can't find anything under $1k yet.

And it sounds like Rubicon Express makes a SYE for the 242 as well, which means I can keep planning my RE 3.5 lift upgrade too

 

I love my 242. I had one in my 95 also. My 94 didn't have it and it was a pain in the butt to go from 4 wheel drive to 2 back to 4 depending on conditions.

 

If a 242 from a 94, which is 23 spline, would work, Ive got one with 180K on it. $300 shipped. Includes shifter.

 

im curious why people dont leave it in 4x4 all the time with the 231, is there reasons other then its hard on the gear, i live in a area were there lots of snow and ice but in town its usually plowed. But half the time its still icy going into parking lots(my jeep has a dent because of it) so if i leave it in 4x4 all winter what problems will arise

 

If you leave it in 4WD part time and drive on dry pavement you risk binding the drive line causing damage.