zj vs xj four wheel drive
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: RI
Year: 96
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 baby
noticed that my old zj had both fulltime 4wd and partime where as my 98 xj has only part time does do zjs technically have a better system?
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 0
From: Williston, North Dakota
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
The full time 4x4 (NP 242) is just a system with a sort of differential in the T-case itself. It allows you to use 4WD on dry pavement without harm to the drivetrain. The NP231 (only has part time) should only be driven in 4WD on slick surfaces, wet roads allow for enough slip to prevent binding. The 231 is a stronger case however. I'd say for the average driver the 242 might be better, as you can put it in 4 full time and leave it. The 231 is probably better for offroaders being that it's stronger. There are XJs that came with the 242 but it seems to me that the newer models had mostly the 231.
Registered Users
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 0
From: Western NY
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
The full time 4x4 (NP 242) is just a system with a sort of differential in the T-case itself. It allows you to use 4WD on dry pavement without harm to the drivetrain. The NP231 (only has part time) should only be driven in 4WD on slick surfaces, wet roads allow for enough slip to prevent binding. The 231 is a stronger case however. I'd say for the average driver the 242 might be better, as you can put it in 4 full time and leave it. The 231 is probably better for offroaders being that it's stronger. There are XJs that came with the 242 but it seems to me that the newer models had mostly the 231.
Registered Users
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 0
From: Western NY
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Yeah it's just a cool term Jeep made up to call the NP231 transfercase. The NP242 is also know as select trac. I think the NP249 is Quadra trac. Jeep didn't think to hard with the NP241OR t case that is in all 03- present Jeep Wrangler Rubicons. They went with Rock Trac for that one lol
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 3
From: Cove, OR
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
The full time 4x4 (NP 242) is just a system with a sort of differential in the T-case itself. It allows you to use 4WD on dry pavement without harm to the drivetrain. The NP231 (only has part time) should only be driven in 4WD on slick surfaces, wet roads allow for enough slip to prevent binding. The 231 is a stronger case however. I'd say for the average driver the 242 might be better, as you can put it in 4 full time and leave it. The 231 is probably better for offroaders being that it's stronger. There are XJs that came with the 242 but it seems to me that the newer models had mostly the 231.
Trending Topics
Registered Users
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 0
From: Western NY
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)



