I have an XJ with the NP242 transfer case. I am looking at lift kits and saw on a rubicon express kit info that anything more then 3.5 inches of lift may or is problematic for front driveshaft vibration. Anyone with knowledge of this? I don’t see it on any other brands information. Would like feedback from owners of lifted XJ’s that have the 242 transfer case.

 

I've heard that as well. Some say you need an SYE to help remedy the problem and some don't. I'm at 4-5" of lift, a 1" trans drop, and no vibrations. Don't know what my pinion angles are, don't care to find out, it's just a toy for me anyways.

 

thanks for the response. I don’t know what the difference in the two transfer cases actually are. Guess I should check into that. I would most likely go with sye instead of trans case drop anyways.

 

I believe the flange that comes out of the 242 is a bit longer than the 231 so it would technically have a steeper angle with the driveshaft going point to point with the axle. At 3.5 inches of lift you will likely need a SYE anyway. At least transfer case drop and rear shims on the axle. It's all about seeing what works. I have the 242 and just bought a 4 inch lift for it, am planning on a SYE and new driveshaft combo from Tom Woods. I will let you know how it works.

 

Really anything over 3"s of lift is hit or miss on if your jeep will need a transfer case drop or the correct fix of a SYE, no matter the transfer case. A NP242 really only offers a hack n tap or a expensive kit like Tom Woods or Advance Adapters. I'm at 4"s of lift with a NP242 with a Tom Woods SYE and ZJ front driveshaft out the rear. It does great and wouldn't change it.

 

I ran a 3" lift with a NP242 for 2 years, no drop kit or SYE. I never had a problem.

 

Thanks for the replies. Rubicon express references front drive shaft vibration. I don’t understand how a sye for rear can solve that? But I am no means an expert in this area. Seems like a transfer case drop would help the front shaft if that is indeed a problem. It’s funny but everyone’s story seems different. Some have trouble with a small lift and others have a big lift with no issues. I wonder why there is no constants? Guess you just buy the lift you want and go from there. Change what you have to in order to get it right. No one said this was gonna be a cheap hobby.

 

The front driveshaft will be fine, I have 5.5" coils in the front with the stock driveshaft, in the rear I'm using a hack n tap SYE with a front driveshaft.