I have both 242 & 231, I just swapped the tcase's...the 242 is now in the xj thats going to be sold, hate the 242.

 

231 for sure.

I had the 242 in my girlfriends old Grand and with even the part-time it just felt like it was binding all the time. Its nice to be able to put the 231 in 2wd on dry roads when you dont need all 4 wheels spinning.

Another thing... I had put a small lift on that Grand and some 31's and because you couldnt have it in 2wd ever it ate up the front tires really quick and was kind of a bear to steer sometimes.

Go with the 231 for the aftermarket support, and the ease of finding one. You'll be glad that you did.

 

Was the swap a bolt in? Did you have to mess with the shifter link or anything crazy?

 

Yea it was bolt in. I swapped the metal shifter gate and adjusted the linkage as well but really didn't need to. It shifted fine with the one from the 242. The only thing I had a hard time with was getting the 4x4 light to work properly.I think the sensor on the 231 was busted.

I ended up reusing the the one from the 242 and spacing it out with a nut so it was the right depth

 

Oh the other thing I almost forgot the studs that mounted the 231 to the tranny were shorter so I used the ones from the 242. Not sure if this is the case on all of them.

I would compare them side by side before you go to swap it and are on your back and realize you can't bolt the damn thing up like I did lol

 

Okay, I think you guys convinced me, the 231 it is. I have an F150 with the same type of setup, 4hi, 4lo and 2hi, and I get along well with that so I will just go with that. I have located both in the JY. Now, which 231's have the 23 spline output? And I know there are short, medium and long shafts, so I don't know which will work for mine. I'm just going to have to take a shot in the dark and hope it fits. It's not my DD so if it doesn't fit, I have time to find the right one or mod it. I have about 3" of lift on it now so I don't know if the slip yolk will work or not. I will do the SYE eventually anyway.

 

Awesome! Thanks for the insight. I think i now have a new project in mind.

 

I was worried about that when I did the swap last week, lucky my studs were the same size. Such an easy swap, well worth the few hours!!