Np242 to np231 swap
03-15-2018, 03:01 PM
#1
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Np242 to np231 swap
I currently have a 99 xj limited with the 242. My only real option for a sye kit is a hack n tap and custom driveshaft. So I was considering purchasing a used 231, sye kit, and then selling my 242. Is it a direct swap in? Just unbolt the transfer case, unhook all connectors and swap in the 231? Is everything the same (shift linkage, sensors, etc)? Is there a reason to keep the 242 over the 231? I’m pretty sure I can snag a 231 for $100 from a local pick a part.
03-15-2018, 06:52 PM
#2
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you will still need the cv style ds either way, hack & tap is about $100, a lot less work doing a h&t then swapping a tc, w/ the 231 you lose the fulltime 4wd option .
03-16-2018, 02:35 AM
#3
It is a direct swap. But like said... You will lose full time. I used to enjoy my full time option. Now i have a different jeep with a different case. I dont much care for the 231
03-16-2018, 06:22 AM
#4
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Year: 1990
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Where are you located? I think, THINK, the full time 4wd is of value up north where they get snow often. Down my way, I don't have much use for the full time 4wd. It's all or none. Pavement or woods/beach. Not much use for full time. Unless I'm missing something.
03-16-2018, 06:50 AM
#5
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I’m located in NY. It is handy when it’s used. This year hasn’t been too crazy so I haven’t needed 4wd for the snow very often. But I’m thinking the 242 is worth saving. I guess I’ll have to do the hack n tap. Iron rock doesn’t know if their hack n tap on the Cherokee with a 242 will allow me to use a front shaft or not. They told me to install it and measure it. My main issue with it is down time. If I install it And can use a front shaft, there’s lots of Cherokees at a pick and pull locally so that shouldn’t be an issue. But if a front shaft won’t fit then I’m stuck waiting on a custom shaft with no Jeep in that time.
03-16-2018, 06:52 AM
#6
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I am getting ready to do the same swap, I already pulled np231 out of another jeep and I am pretty sure it is a direct swap. Losing full time 4x4 isn't a big deal to me, I never use it anyway even in the snow.
03-16-2018, 07:09 AM
#7
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whats your reason for swapping it if you don’t mind me asking?
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03-16-2018, 07:30 AM
#8
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You should be able to use a front shaft for DD use as a stop gap until you can get a custom shaft made. You can get away with an overextended driveshaft for light duty use for a while.
Or, mock up the hack and tap, pull a measurement on what the shaft needs to be and see if a front shaft will work. Should be able to slap the flange on the output shaft of the TC (without cutting anything), pull a measurement for the driveshaft, then add whatever amount gets cut off the output shaft. That will give you an approximate length to tell you if a front shaft will work.
I was fortunate when I did mine that the front shaft from my jeep fit the rear. I drove around with the front shaft on the rear waiting for a front shaft to show up on CL. Was a few months before I regeared the front axle, so was a good thing I only had one driveshaft in. :lol
Or, mock up the hack and tap, pull a measurement on what the shaft needs to be and see if a front shaft will work. Should be able to slap the flange on the output shaft of the TC (without cutting anything), pull a measurement for the driveshaft, then add whatever amount gets cut off the output shaft. That will give you an approximate length to tell you if a front shaft will work.
I was fortunate when I did mine that the front shaft from my jeep fit the rear. I drove around with the front shaft on the rear waiting for a front shaft to show up on CL. Was a few months before I regeared the front axle, so was a good thing I only had one driveshaft in. :lol
03-16-2018, 08:00 AM
#9
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I am not a big fan of the np242 it always takes awhile for the 4x4 to engage or to get it back into 2wd, the np231 will engage instantly. My 242 has almost 250K on it so it could just be that it is worn out.
03-16-2018, 08:04 AM
#10
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03-16-2018, 11:06 AM
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03-16-2018, 11:10 AM
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I was Service Manager and Shop Foreman at a Jeep dealership for 12 years. I shifted hundreds of them. No issue. I taught 90 year old ladies to shift a 242......My wife has no issues with hers.
Just you do for some reason. So, quit discouraging people from using a great transfer case because of your somehow unexplainable issue. They're fine. They're handy and safe.
03-16-2018, 02:02 PM
#13
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Well, you must be someone special or have different size tires or something.
I was Service Manager and Shop Foreman at a Jeep dealership for 12 years. I shifted hundreds of them. No issue. I taught 90 year old ladies to shift a 242......My wife has no issues with hers.
Just you do for some reason. So, quit discouraging people from using a great transfer case because of your somehow unexplainable issue. They're fine. They're handy and safe.
I was Service Manager and Shop Foreman at a Jeep dealership for 12 years. I shifted hundreds of them. No issue. I taught 90 year old ladies to shift a 242......My wife has no issues with hers.
Just you do for some reason. So, quit discouraging people from using a great transfer case because of your somehow unexplainable issue. They're fine. They're handy and safe.
03-16-2018, 02:30 PM
#14
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Advance Adapters offers an SYE kit for a 242 (NOT hack-n-tap)
http://www.rustysoffroad.com/advance...nator-kit.html
http://www.rustysoffroad.com/advance...nator-kit.html
03-16-2018, 03:03 PM
#15
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If you do the swap, you need more than just the transfer case.
-shift bezel
-shift gate
-indicator switch (on the tcase, for the dash light)
I love the 242, but im a mallcrawler. They are extremely hard to come by down here.
-shift bezel
-shift gate
-indicator switch (on the tcase, for the dash light)
I love the 242, but im a mallcrawler. They are extremely hard to come by down here.