Alright so what are the real differences between the np231 and the np242. My jeep has the np231 in it now should i put a np242 in or leave it alone? Also if i wanted to put a 242 in my 2001 xj what would i have to do??

THANKS

 

What do you do with your Jeep, is the first question to determine if you would benefit from a 242. Second would be where do you live and the weather conditions there. Riddle me that and then we can see if you need the 242 or if the 231 is fine for your needs.

 

well i live in warren michigan hot summers cold winters. if you look in my photo album you will know that my jeep is no pavement princess. im usually first to try out new holes. i still need to daily drive though.

 

then the 231 is your best option. it is the stronger of the 2.

 

do you have the 231 in your xj??

 

yes I do

 

idk i have used mine as a DD and just done mild trails and mud and i love my 242 in 4hi part time i can go thru mud so deep my buddys KJ cant even follow or he'll get stuck with his 231 i also live in michigan but i have also only had my jeep for not even a year so there are other guys that are more expierenced JMHO tho

 

im not big on full time 4 wheel drive anything. i got the 231 and have no problems with it. My last 2 jeeps also had the 231 and i never had any problems with either of them.

 

231

 

so the 231 is stronger but the 242 will go through more??

im lost

 

Number for number the 242 is stronger(down side more moving parts), but the 231 has better aftermarket support(less moving parts).

Not sure the break down I'll have to find the chart but the second # in the 3 digits is how strong the case is....

 

231
Too many times ive seen inexperience damage the linkage in a 242 (hence my 16 yr old bending the linkage in his trying to shift it). overall you'll be happy with the 231, tought reliable, keep a check on the oil and change it as is called for. Those switch clutches are just extra parts that are nice to have, but no need to change a good thing.

 

I had both and love the 242 but dout i would swap it if I had a 231.. its just nice to put it in full time 4wd in the winter - when the main roads are in great shape then i turn off to a side road thats still snow covered and i never have to shift in or out - but if i get in some nasty stuff i can put it in part time when needed.. but thats not worth the swap.

 

Love my 242 in the snow and heavy rain.

I'v run 35" Swamper SSR's with this transfer wheelin, cutting and maintaining trails at Paragon before it closed. Never an issue.

On the other hand... i was returning home from a run down to my parents in South Carolina and blew the 231 up in the wife's 96 Country on I-95 in Delaware. Fortunately i was only 45min or so away from my bud's place who happened to be with me. That ride sucked..

 

I have had both...

If I was still DD'ing my XJ.. I would have gotten another 242 equipped Jeep.
Being able to put it in full-time and go in the winter months makes it worth it. Not having to switch back and forth from main/kinda snowy/slushy wet roads to snow covered secondary roads/ to drifted side roads is great.