Currently looking at swapping in a 242 when I do my Ax15 swap. All of the yards around me so far don’t have a Cherokee with a 242. My question is can I use a 242 from a Jeep Liberty KJ ? A bunch of yards near me have liberty’s with the 242. The only issue I found so far is the rear output housing has to be swap since the liberty used a speedometer sensor on the rear axle. Any advice??

 

The issue may be proper clocking. But i dont know for sure. Input shafts are easy enough to swap out especially if the cases are already on the bench. Its surprising how many parts interchange between the various NP cases.

Also the 242 was never avaliable behind manual tansmissions as far as i know. Some say the differential device isnt good at absorbing shock loads and the autos smooth out power delivery compared to the manuals.

 

is this for your 1988 xj that's in your profile? if so, then no, a liberty case won't fit. but as mentioned, it's pretty easy to swap out what you need from another 242. like the output shaft. yours is 21 spline, but the newer (91+) are 23 spline.

what case is in there now? you don't like or want a 231? i prefer this case over the 242 personally. much better aftermarket support and way easier to rebuild. plus you can get a real slip yoke eliminator rather than a hack n tap. i know you can get a swap in sye for it, but that's like swapping your hubs to lockable. pricey and not simple, just nobody does it.

 

I believe the 231 input shaft will swap into a 242.

 

Just my 2 cents worth. My 86, 2.5 liter , 4 speed came with a 242 transfer case.

Happy Jeepin'
texastaz38

 

Yes this is for my 1988 Jeep Comanche but I'm not keeping the current transmission in it which is the Ba10/5. My plan is to swap in a 93 Ax15 transmission which has the 23 spine input shaft. I understand that the 231 has aftermarket upgrades but I have no need or desire to build up a 231. My truck stays on payment 95% of the time so a 242 with full-time 4wd would be nice when I want extra traction during rain or snow. I would appreciate any advice if anyone have done any swap from a liberty transfer case into a Cherokee. Thanks @downs for the information about the clocking.

 

I have a 242 transfercase sitting in my shed if you're near Upstate SC

 

i also have a 242 sitting in my garage, mine has had the hack & tap yoke installed on it, im in md.

 

Weird i thought 87 was first year for the 242 and they used the 228 or something like that prior. I could have my years wrong.

 

I'm in Wnc but Upstate Sc isn't too far away from me. Sending P.m.

 

only difference and may not be a problem is the vehicle speed sensor on the liberty case will be an electronic plug, whereas your mj will be a cable for the speedo. and the clocking may be off. if i recall, you will need a t-case out of an automatic, if you're mating it up to an auto. but i may be wrong. i could be thinking the stick vs auto may be the input spline count... been a while...

 

I've heard this too but I've also heard people praise the setup. My thought is some folks just throw in a 242 without thinking of the condition and without a SYE and that's where the bad driveline behaviors stem from. If I were to do the swap (which I really want to because who doesn't want an AWD manual transmission Jeep!) I would definitely rebuild the 242 with a SYE - preferably a legit short shaft conversion despite those being stupid expensive.

 

Yeah the age and mileage on most of these units there's no way I would just slap one in without a rebuild.

 

The 242 from a 2002 Liberty comes stock with an SYE. It's a bolt in swap. Check out Novak Adapters for confirmation on compatibility and upgrade parts if needed.
This is currently going in my '98 XJ. I love the 242 in snow country, where one can be on snowy or icy road one minute and on dry road the next. That's where the full time 4WD comes into its own. Plus there are many upgrades available out there for the 242. Do some research.
This factory SYE is miles ahead of any aftermarket SYE. Just save the driveshaft(s) from the donor vehicle.
PS: only the 2002 Liberty was equipped with the 242.
​Enjoy!