Ok, got lucky and got paid for a job I did in the fall thank God
So now I've got more than enought loot to do a solid and complete job I've also read 5-90 thread ( 3 times ) so if I didn't pick this up, it's cause of the blood in them lol
Any way I've got a 242 w / sye lined up ( really want full time ) for the swap and a Ax-15 w/ bell, shifted and linkage, ......
So here's my question. If I do use the 242 w/sye am I going to run into any issues with the length of my drive shaft. If so is there a JY drive shaft out there that would be suitable as a fix. Or do I need a custom shaft made?

 

Yes, with an SYE you must use a new drive shaft, the old rear DS will not work anymore.

On an automatic you can just use the front DS from another XJ, but as the manuals are shorter you need a longer DS. ZJ is the most common donor.

Here's a list of XJ and ZJ drive shafts. Lengths are collapsed. Running length should be +1.5" of whatever you end up measuring between the SYE yoke and your pinion yoke.

 

So I need to instal it first to get a measurment in need?

 

Thanks for the info, but it's a 2 (+) drive one way to the jy. So I'm hopeing to gather all items needed in one trip.
Only reason I'm asking about installing the TC first to get the measurment is because I have no idea what length the sye is or the 242, so????? Has anyone done this and maybe have a answer?

 

Possibly... 242 is the same as an NP231, with a hack'n'tap it should be the same as an NP231 with the same HNT SYE.

Length also changes based on rear axle. D35 is small and needs a longer DS, C8.25 is large and needs a shorter DS. What do you have?

If worse comes to worse you can just get whatever front shaft and have it shortened or lengthened by a driveline shop. Depends on how much your time and fuel is worth. Don't forget you can drive the XJ in 4WD Part Time with just the front shaft in.

 

I did my ax swap and np231 sye swap in about 3 hours but I had a shop full of proper tools it took me about 2 hours to cut out the old transfer case drop some one welded on so figure 5 hours. Make sure you get the cross member as it is different. It will set in the rear set of holes on the frame you will have to tap them to the size you want. I did a 8.25 swap also and the manual and the sye 231 is a really short drive train so none of my drive shafts fit. You will use your ba front drive shaft for the front still and depending on tail shaft length and rear axle you may need a grand cherokee shaft from the front look for 93-94 if you need a long one I grabbed a 94 grand v8 with 231 shaft and at installed length it's 34" and full travel of the shaft it's about 37.5" more than enough. If you have an older ax you will be a direct swap the pilot bearing and input shafts are different based in weather your donor is a renix or a HO. I grabbed a 91 trannys and it was still a small input trans so mine was plug and play. While I'm there do a new clutch new salve new master new fly wheel new crank sensor get the one cruiser recommends I for get the part number off the top of my head it's a standard motor product part or go to jeep and get it. Either way. If your doing this on your back in the drive way have a buddy the ba is light maybe 50 lbs the ax is a lot heavier. Any questions feel free to ask I just did mine in October and have had many of miles trouble free driving

 

Sweet.
Man my plans have gone off course. I was ticked off about towing stuff, so spent lift money on a tomken front bumpp w / 2" receiver, brush gaurd, grill gaurd, stubby bumper( for shackle mounts ) added to the tow plate to tie it all together oh and tow hook for fun. Was planning this money for tires and rims, but now it's going to tranny, TC
I'm planning on doing a 8.25 swap from the D35, so it would seam that I might want to do that at the same time to get the right DS length. Geez ......
Oh well it will be ready come spring come hell or high water, just going on the course it set before me
Thanks for the replies