Looking for some input:
I have a 1999 Jeep grand Cherokee, 4.0 with Quadradrive. My plans are (engine already out) to put in an NP242 or NP242Hd if possible. Sorry I like the inline six and Im rebuilding it now. (FYI it had over 260K on it and when torn apart there is little or no wear at all. just on cam. Was leaking bad though)


I've read a lot of posts and have the general idea but wanted to make sure what year transfer case will bolt up to transmission. Id prefer to use the NP242HD transfer case. Im very mechanically inclined but looking for some advise. Also what type of differentials do I have and would the swap to sele trak pose any issue on the differentials/

 

Welcome to CF!

The np242HD came with the V8, the 4.0 came with the np242J. The difference is the output coupling. The 242J has a long splined shaft with a rubber boot that covers the driveshaft coupling. The np242HD has a tailshaft housing with the driveshaft coupling slipped into it. I think the input splines are the same as the 247, but don't quote me on that. In 99, they moved the speed sensor to the transmission internally, so you can use any 242 as long as the splines match and the driveshaft fits. The trick is trying to use a 99 or newer t/case on an older jeep.

Quadradrive comes with an optional Varilock in the D44. You've probably got Quadratrac II with a D35 rear.

I too wouldn't have anything else but a 4.0 unless it was a stroker, but then you're reducing it's longevity. What causes piston shirt failures in the 4.0 is they come too far out the bottom of the cylinder sleeve to be really supported well. Add stroke to that and you're asking for trouble. Stroker pistons are shorter with relocated pins so the rocking motion is worse.

My 2000 has the 4.0 with np242J and never had any trouble with it, except a cracked 0331 head. It's got 206K miles on it now. The 42re is still in good shape as well. I'm getting a tiny bit of hum from the D35 at 70 mph.

 

Dave is correct on the differentials my 04 WJ 4.7 V-8 has the same trans and transfer case a D30 in the front with the lsd and a D44A in the rear with the lsd and 3.73 gears. I'm sure mine was a special order as it had a lot of options on it Overland edition, Towing, Up Country, etc.

 

The thing is Fred, Quadradrive wasn't available in 99. Go to wjjeeps.com and check it out. Q-drive does have LSDs in both diffs. Q-trac and Q-trac II don't, but Varilock was an option only in the D44 in 99. It gets confusing because changes were made to all these systems as time progressed.

For instance, Q-trac I was available only in 2004 with the NP147 which was constant 4wd with no neutral or low range. This was for lazy people who didn't want to worry about a t/case at all! The problem is these could only be flat-bedded to tow it.

 

My mistake on that on that I had forgot that it was only on the 04's that it came that way. It's a great feature to have on one most of all on a DD.


That is the main reason my wife would rather drive the WJ over our other 3 4wd's she has to do nothing. Last winter she had to drive from here in SWMO to central IL during a heavy snow storm (6-8" with ice) that was passing through for her brothers funeral alone I was not able to go with her. I do think the WJ was the only reason she made it couldn't talk her out of not going.

 

No offense to your wife calling her lazy! It's just that most of us on this forum love to shift 2 sticks! I've also been told that running your jeep in 2wd a lot tends to wear out the rear diff quicker. Don't know, don't care. It seems to me the weak link in the drivetrain is the t/case chain. All I know or care about is my 242 WJ has 206K miles on it without any trouble with the drivetrain. 98% if the time has been 2wd.

Some guys have posted that their wives wouldn't drive their jeeps because of worrying about that second stick. That's why the Quadradrive with the np147 was created.

 

Dave was just looking at my build sheet again and it shows a 545RFE 5 spd trans and the DHFP "Quadra-Trac II" on demand 4wd system.


Am I reading this wrong?


*TL Lux Leather Trimmed Bucket Seats
-DB Dk/Lt Slate Gray
ADES Cold Weather Group
ADLP Skid Plate Group
AFFS Luxury Group
AHX Trailer Tow Group IV
APAS Monotone Paint
ARGS Overland Decor Group
ATCS Radio-CD/Cass/10 Disc/Infinity Spkrs AWBS Quadra-Drive II (R) 4WD System
AWES Up Country Suspension Group A83P Mutually Exclusive Package BAZS 136 Amp
Alternator BC6S 625 Amp Maintenance Free Battery BRYS Anti-Lock 4-Wheel Disc
Brakes CACS Low Back Bucket Seats CBWS Highline Door Trim Panel CFNS Rear
60/40 Folding Seat CGSS Supplemental Side Air Bags CGUS Child Seat Anchor
System-LATCH Ready CG1S Next Gen Multistage Front Air Bags** CJ2P Supp. Side
Curtain Frt/Rr Air Bags CKDS Floor Carpet CKNS Cargo Compartment Carpet CKTS
Cargo Tie Down Loops CLES Front & Rear Floor Mats CLGS Covered Cargo Storage
CLHS Cargo Trim Panel w/Storage Net CLPS Driver Foot Rest CSCS Cargo
Compartment Cover CSRS Passenger Assist Handles CUDS Mini Overhead Console
CUFS Full Length Floor Console DGES All 5-Speed Automatic Transmissions DGQ 5-
Spd Automatic 545RFE Transmission DHAS Lock-Up Torque Converter DHFP Quadra-
Trac II On Demand 4WD System DJJS Dana 30/186MM Front Axle DMES 3.73 Rear Axle
Ratio DRKS Dana 44/226MM Rear Axle DSBP Vari-Lok Progressive Front Axle DSCP
Vari-Lok Progressive Rear Axle EVC 4.7L V8 Power Tech HO Engine GBBS Tinted
Windshield Glass GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass GEGS Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass
GEPS Flipper Liftgate Glass GFAS Rear Window Defroster GNCS Sun Visors w/Illum
Vanity Mirrors GNKS Rear View Auto Dim Mirror GT3S Power Heat Driver Auto Dim
Mirrors GWAS Power Sunroof GXMS Remote Keyless Entry GXXS Sentry Key Theft
Deterrent System HAFS Air Cond ATC w/Dual Zone Control HGAS Hood Insulation
HGDS Deluxe Insulation Group I51S Route 51 - CSX, Memphis, TN JA6S
Electroluminescent Instr Cluster JCBS 120 MPH Primary Speedometer JHBS Rear
Window Wiper/Washer JHCS Rain Sensitive Windshield Wipers JJBS Dual Note
Electric Horns JJJP 12V Rear Auxiliary Power Outlet JKAS Glove Box JKPS 12V
Auxiliary Power Outlet JKYS Power Accessory Delay JPBS Power Locks JPDS Power
Windows, Driver One-Touch JTFP Power 10-Way Heated Memory Seats K4BS EXTERIOR
COMPONENT COLOR K9KS MED. DRIFTWOOD MET. - Rails - Rock LACS Illuminated Entry
LAGS Warning Chime LAZP Vehicle Information Center LBBS Courtesy Lamps LBCS
Glove Box Lamp LCES Rear Courtesy/Reading Lamps LDBS Cargo Compartment Lamp
LETP Traveler/Mini Trip Computer LEWS Radio/Driver Seat/Mirror Memory LMBS
Halogen Headlamps LMGP Automatic Headlamps LNJS Fog Lamps LPSS CHMSL Lamp LSAS
Security Alarm MDAS Front License Plate Bracket MFDS Bright Grille MHAS Black
Windshield Moldings MTBP 4.7L HO Badge MVBS Grand Cherokee Badge MVCS Jeep
Badge MVEP V-8 Badge MWES Side Roof Rails MWF Adjustable Roof Rail Crossbars
MZBS Quadra Drive Badge MZMS Overland Badge NAS 50 State Emissions NBGP
Federal Tier 2, Bin 9A Emissions NFPS 20.5 Gallon Fuel Tank NHFP Power
Steering Cooler NHMS Speed Control NMHP Hydraulic Engine Cooling PXR Brilliant
Black Crystal Pearl Coat QXRS Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat RAAC All
Radio Equipped Vehicles RBPS AM/FM Cass/CD Radio w/Changer Ctrl RCES Infinity
Speakers RDDS Fixed Long Mast Antenna RDPP 10-Disc Remote CD Changer RDZP
Steering Wheel Mounted Audio Ctrls SBAS Power Steering SCWS Wood/Leather
Wrapped Steering Wheel SDUS Heavy Duty Suspension w/Gas Shocks SUAS Tilt
Steering Column TBLS Inside Mounted Spare Tire TBWS Full Size Spare Tire
w/Matching Whl TS6S P235/65R17 OWL All Terrain Tires TZAP Goodyear Brand Tires
WGWS 17" Aluminum Chrome Clad Wheels WLZC All Aluminum Wheels XAM Power
Adjustable Pedals w/Memory XEEP Fuel Tank Skid Plate Shield XEFP Transfer Case
Skid Plate Shield XEUP Front Suspension Skid Plate XFBP Bright Tow Hooks XFHP
Class IV Receiver Hitch XFKP 7 Pin Wiring Harness XFLP 7 to 4 Pin Wiring
Adaptor XGDP Universal Garage Door Opener XPFS Protective Coating and Remover

 

No, the 545RFE has another 2nd gear with a different ratio for passing and heavy loads. You have no control over it, the trans module decides when it is used.

The "On Demand" part is with the LSDs shifting power to the wheel that needs it. Again, not under your control.

It's a good system, but if it malfunctions it's hard to diagnose and repair because it's all electronic.