I just bought a 1995 ZJ and it has the Quadra-Trac system. It is always in 4WD the only choices being 4WD HI, N, or 4WD LO. I would love to have the 2WD choice like my 2 XJs have. My question is... How hard would it be to change it over to that type of system? I am assuming I'd need to change the transfer case to a 242? (It has the NP 249 now)

When on the highway it seems very loud from the front and it just feels different driving it than my XJs. Or is it possible there is a problem? Maybe someone else with this system can tell me if theirs is noisy at highway speed. I know "noisy" is a loose term.

 

Okay, both the 231 from an XJ or the 242 from a ZJ will bolt in with only slight modifications, such as the shift quadrant and possible rear driveshaft length. The 249 is slightly longer that either of the others. The 242 is my choice because it gives you part time and full time 4wd whereas the 231 only has part time 4wd. There's a hell of a lot of 231s available whereas the 242s are getting scarce. Keep in mind the 242 from a 99 or newer doesn't have a speed sensor in it.

There are shaft spline differences thru the years so you should check out this; jeepforum.com/forum/f13/transfer-case-swap-info-np249-np231-np242-685644/ The pictures have been deleted, but all the info is there. Whichever you get, make sure you get the lever on the t/case as well. It's different than the 249 one.

The 249 was introduced by jeep to boost sales to people who wanted 4wd without having to worry about shifting a transfer case to get it. My sister-in-law won't drive my jeep because it's got 2 shift levers. It's just as well. lol!

Remember we're all here to back you up!

 

The NP249 is a fine 4WD drive system w/ great on-road characteristics, including road noise.

Mine makes no perceptible operational highway noise.

The NP249 can / will fail when the vehicle is operated w/o identical outside circumference tires. That is same wear and same tire pressure, measured w/ the wheels hanging in the air.

A failed NP249 will cause the tires to chirp during tight turns on dry pavement.

A failed NP249 can be repaired by swapping the viscous coupler to a rebuilt unit, as-shown in this reply.