ZJNOOB

I have a 1994 5.2L ZJ. Has 249 TC. The person that had it before teh person i bought it from removed the front shaft. I finally have the opportunity to build on the Jeep and I want a TC that will not be AWD all the time with a hi and low. I've researched for days and kind find an absolute answer. Please, I need to know the best way to do this with a smallish budget

Cherokeekid4x4

I'm no grand cherokee guy, but the 249 isn't awd? Just add a front driveshaft. And you'll have 4wd not awd.

Bustedback

If you're not a Grand Cherokee guy and don't have the correct answer, don't answer.

You will want a pre 1996 NP231J transfercase. You may also want the front and rear drive shafts out of the doner ZJ. It is a pretty simple swap as long as the transfercase input shafts are the same length and spline count.

dnuccio

you wont find a 231 with the same input shaft. the 93-95 V8 ZJs had a 1.55" long 23 spline input shaft. it was exclusive to the V8s. you will have to swap your 249 input into the 231 case, provided they are the same gear cut. gear cut changed around mid 94, check the build date on the transfer cases to be sure.

ZJNOOB

the 249 IS AWD and you can't just add a front shaft because of the Viscous Coupler on the TC. Everything that I've read has said that if the shaft has been removed, the viscous coupler goes bad.

ZJNOOB

Yeah, I was reading about the gear cut and stuff last night before I posted. I've seen a company that sells spline adapters, but I'm trying not to spend a bunch of cash on this. I haven't checked the build date yet, but as soon as i get enough coffee in me, i'll go out there and crawl under it.

ZJNOOB

also, If i put in a 231, do i need the front diff off the donor?

Bustedback

No, but you may need to change the yoke.

dnuccio

why? he can use his old front driveshaft, the connection on the transfer case is the same on all 3 cases offered in ZJs

ZJNOOB

because the front shaft was removed before i bought it. don't have it. yeah, looked at the build date on the TC and it's 94. I went a Rough country 3.5" lift. I'm also going to be rebuilding the front end while i'm doing this so I'm trying to figure all my work before i start so i can get it all done in one weekend.

dnuccio

ahh, gotcha

need more info on the tcase. there should be a full date on the tag

dave1123

Good luck on the one weekend! Keep the coffeepot on.