Loaned out my 1996 Cherokee XJ country and the front drive shaft fell out and then ruined the transfer case. The part with the model number is no longer there. Will most XJ transfer cases of the same year work or do I need to just pull out what remains and match it up the best I can?
john

 

You will need to verify what TC you have. An NP242 will have fulltime 4wd capability and the NP231 will only have part-time 4wd ability. NP231 are way more common.

 

Depending on what TC you have the interchange as far as different yrs. were quite a few.

 

Could you get a pic of the damaged transfer case?

 

I've recently been learning more about the transfer cases in our XJ's as I'm getting ready to rebuild mine. From what I've read (and I'm sure someone will correct me if i'm wrong) you can interchange between NP231's and NP242's keeping some things in mind.

There's an issue with linkages between the two, but the specifics I'm not sure of. I'm sure a search here can answer some questions.

More importantly is spline count and input shaft size.

Check this out for info on spline count. There are also a ton of postings on how to figure out your input spline count:

New Process / New Venture Gear Transfer Case Input Gears

Early NP231/NP242, typically 1988-1994.5, used BD50-8 input bearing (24mm wide)
Later NP231/NP242, 1994.5-newer, used 6010-N input bearing (16mm wide)

One good way to tell if you have an NP231 vs NP242 is look at your shifter in the cab. If you have "4 PART TIME" AND "4 FULL TIME" you have an NP242. If all you see is 4H and 4L then you have an NP231

 

By the way, ehall here knows his stuff. Helped me a lot, I'd listen to the man.

 

I'll get some pictures soon. I have to get it home so I can take it apart to repair anyway. I'm told the front shaft is bent too. He was at highway speed when the shaft dropped. Thank you for the replies.

 

Sure you don't need a new seat too? I'd have **** if that happened to me.

 

That's funny. I'll have to check it!

 

Here's a photo of the transfer case. I'll get the jeep home soon and take out what's left.

 

yeah that's broke

 

Duct tape should fix that right up.

 

Duct tape and JB weld.

 

HOLY CHRIST *****!!! I'd be beyond pissed if I loaned my xj out and it came back like this. As the kids say nowadays, "unfriended"

 

You weren't lying