NP249 Viscous Coupler
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,237
Likes: 3
From: Northern Illinois
Year: 90
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Well... my T-case has started the infamous binding feeling when its warmed up.
It still doesn't act like anything is wrong when its cold. So I havent had one problem all winter long. Now today when it was relatively warm.. I had a few extra stops to make and I get the binding pulling through the drive thru at the bank.
But on my way home today after the truck sat all day... no binding.(short drive--7 miles)
From doing some reading this certainly seems like the VC is heading out.. If it completely goes out.. Is the ZJ still driveable just without AWD?? or without 4wd all together???
It still doesn't act like anything is wrong when its cold. So I havent had one problem all winter long. Now today when it was relatively warm.. I had a few extra stops to make and I get the binding pulling through the drive thru at the bank.
But on my way home today after the truck sat all day... no binding.(short drive--7 miles)
From doing some reading this certainly seems like the VC is heading out.. If it completely goes out.. Is the ZJ still driveable just without AWD?? or without 4wd all together???
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,902
Likes: 19
From: Kalkaska, Michigan
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
If it goes out it will lock up completely. Than you will start wearing out front end parts..
I'd say start looking for another T-case now.. You'll need to replace yours.
I'd say start looking for another T-case now.. You'll need to replace yours.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,237
Likes: 3
From: Northern Illinois
Year: 90
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I would LOVE to get one... but I have a 231 sitting in the parts pile needing to be opened up and checked...
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,902
Likes: 19
From: Kalkaska, Michigan
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
If you use the 231 you will need a front drive shaft from a XJ. The stock front drive shaft from the ZJ will be about 1" to long. I found this out the hard way.. (trashed out my front axle pinion bearing)
CF Veteran


Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,188
Likes: 6
From: Bristol,Pa
Year: 94
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I did not know that nick. So a 249 front shaft is 1" longer than an XJ stock shaft... is the 249 shaft the same type? 1310 and double cardan?
I could see this being usefull on a tall XJ.
I could see this being usefull on a tall XJ.
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Seasoned Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
From: Mineral Ridge, Ohio
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Ok sorry about bringing a thread back from the dead but i'm guessing i would need to grab the front drive shaft for a swap? i got a np231HD and i'm swapping it into my 4.0 ZJ
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 651
Likes: 0
From: Norway
Year: 1993
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Hi, i have followed many of the posts about replace the 249, but many also said that the 249 is a very good TC for normal usage and for winter/snow use. It must be better to replace the VC in a 249 if the car is used for normal use? It's seems like an easy jobb too, or?
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2L V8
[QUOTE=whowey;136175]Thanks... that is what I was afraid of... Looks like the last working NP249 is on its way out...
Hahaha. I'm pretty sure I have the last working one.
Hahaha. I'm pretty sure I have the last working one.
Old fart with a wrench
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 14,398
Likes: 740
From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Actually, the later np247 is an improved np249 with a better VC. However, it doesn't have the speed sensor in it. Maybe someone could find out if the later VC will fit in the np249. From what I've heard, the new VC is not a sealed unit, but uses the entire case fluid for cooling.
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