Minndave13

OK, I recently bought a 1997 Grand Cherokee Limited. It has 256,000 miles on the clock. It has a 4.0 straight six and a Quadratrac Transfer Case (4 Hi, Neutral, 4 Lo). Today I lifted the Jeep up and adjusted the linkage to the transfer case. I got the lever to at least go into 4 lo now but the transfer case still does not go into 4 wheel drive. I took out the upper fill plug and could see that the chain is in one piece. When I took the Jeep for a test drive in 4 lo the Transfer case whines but gives NO power to the front wheels.

At this point I am more curious on what the problem could be? I am leaning towards finding a 242 case and installing it. But who knows? if it is a easy fix I might just fix it and change it out later.

I also would like to know what vehicles would make for good 242 cases. The local junk yard has a few sport cherokee's with 242 cases, would these make for a easy transfer?

Minndave13

Oh- I should also state that when I purchased the Jeep it had 20 inch wheels and tires on it (well three corners anyway). The back passenger side had the stock spare on it- the other 20 inch tire was in the back if the vehicle with a big slice all the way around the side wall (it hit the tailpipe hanger and sliced the tire). I don't know how long the 16 inch spare was on the Jeep (it looked more like a donut spare compared to the 20's). Turns out that the tailpipe became loose on the muffler and rotated closer to the tire. The PO didn't realize this, thereby slicing the tire. I had to replace the muffler any way so I tightened the tailpipe back to where it should have been.

I think having the "spare" on the Jeep must have taken out my transfer case or should I say the viscous coupler.

I am also really curious to see if there is any truth to the statement that the tires all have to be the same size when using the 249 transfer case?

I purchased a used tire off of Ebay, so now all tires are the same and on the Jeep.

I am also thinking of keeping the 249 transfer case but would like to know more about do's and don't about the transfer case. I don't mind rebuilding the case but I don't want to rebuild the case I have only to have the problem happen again.

dave1123

SOAB!! I just deleted a long post about your t/case by trying to find the link to info about t/case swaps! Yes, I think your 249 is toast and the repair is expensive. My opinion is you'd be farther ahead by swapping it for a 242 or 231, however my choice would be the 242 because the 231's 4WD selections are part time only. Check out jeepforum.com/forum/f13/transfer-case-swap-info-np249-np231-np242-685644/. It will give you all the info.

Don't forget to get the floor plate from the donor as well.

The VC was probably burnt up by the spare tire. Any difference in shaft speeds are absorbed by the coupling and changed to heat which the VC doesn't take well. Just the part costs around $300 to $400 and requires a total tear-down of the case to install. My local U-pull, U-save yard has t-cases for $70 plus core. You can find the 242 in most 4.0 ZJs and the 231 in the Cherokees. (XJ)

Minndave13

Well I think I made a pretty good score.

I found a 242 transfer case in a junk yard. I made the deal for the case, floorplate, and shift linkages for $245. Think I did ok so far. I put a $100 down and will go pick it up in a few days.

Now next question: The 242 transfer case is out of a 1998 Grand Cherokee Larado. Will the case fit directly into a 1997 Grand Cherokee Limited? Both Jeeps are 4.0 six cylinder engines. After reading the article above I am wondering if I will have to change the output shafts to make it work.

dave1123

My opinion is if they are both 4.0s and only 1 year difference, it should be a bolt-in. JMHO, however. You may need the driveshafts also. My 97 had an external slip joint for the rear shaft. IDK about the 249 shaft or the '98.

Minndave13

Put the 242 in without a hitch. I was a little concerned because I wasen't able to get the front drive shaft and didn't know if my original would work (it did). How nice it is to now have four wheel drive.

dave1123

I love it when a plan comes together! Go show, old boy!