OK here's the deal I have a 99 Cherokee limited with about a 5" lift on 33s which the t-case blew up on.... my ? is ..... is there a kit or a swap I could do to make it AWD or am I better off putting a 242 or another Jeep t-case back in

 

I've never hear of a AWD kit before.

It would probalby be easier to swap in a new one since the old is already out.

A 9/16 stubby wratcheting will be your best friend.

 

x2. Swapping it to AWD might be a little more involved than you'd like.

 

I'm not sure I understand the other responses. The 242 allows full time 4wd which I would interpret as another name for AWD.

So I think your best bet is install another 242, especially if you already had one.

 

Yeah thats what I meant. Forgot to drop the 242 notion lol.

 

I say put what you had back in and don't bother going too deep into it. These vehicles are already very capable as it is, no sense in fooling around with it other than to lift it and slap big meats on it and take on the trails.

 

Well thanks for the help .....now here is another thing I have been told many different things about why my t-case did what it did so lets see what you guys think .... before I put the 33s on it I had no problems but after I put them on it started knocking clicking whatever you want to call it and it wasn't too long after that that it exploded .....its still the stock drive lines ..... if I put another 242 in what would be best drop it or extend the front drive line

 

transfer case drops aren't the greatest. its usually best to hack and tap or replace the main shaft so you can put a double cardan driveshaft in the rear. not sure why you'd need to change the front unless you lift is so much that the driveshaft isn't long enough. np 242's have more limited aftermarket support than the np 231 but if you like the full time 4wd just put another one in.

 

If you use the full time option on your 242 do not use a drop kit. They increase the angle of the front drive shaft and with 5" of lift you'll be putting a decent bit of angle there and you will get vibrations and premature u joint wear. Best bet would be a SYE. There are AWD t cases that will bolt up out of ZJs but they are junk and don't have a reputation for longevity.

 

OK well the reason I ? the front drive line is cause a couple different Jeep guys from around where I live have told me that there isn't enough play in the front drive line and that when I lifted it it pulled it to far out and caused it to have to much play inside the case and caused it to have to much friction and cease they say there's enough on the main that it don't make it an issue

 

Unless you pushed your axle forward a couple of inches your front drive shaft should be fine and since it just bolts to the t case the issues would be in the shaft not the case.