So I just bought a 1990 jeep Cherokee with the full and part time xcase no sure which one it is. But how hard is it to switch to just a regular np231 for ease of use? No idea how to use the one in there now any help would be great thanks

 

Figured out transfer case is the np242 still want 231 how hard is it?

 

i believe around that time they had two input splines the 21 splines and the 23( i think) so the newer ones are 23 splines and most olders are 21 splines if they are the same splines its just a like 8 drive line bolts and linkage and 8 t case bolts( i believe) and pull out and put in

 

I swapped my np242 for an np231 when I first got my 90. Just make sure you get one from the same gen and you'll be fine. As said, ours takes the 21 spline. I then switched the shifter window that has the shift pattern on it as well as the shift "gate" under the window. If you don't change out the gate you risk slipping into neutral on the tcase accidentally as it is right where the 4wd is on the 242 (Guess how I know that??). There is a cotter pin holding the shifter on so you'll have to remove it before changing the gate. It took all of about 15 minutes to do the inside part. One thing to remember is that the dash lights will no longer work. This wasn't an issue for me, but the wife would have preferred the 4wd light still worked. If you plan on doing an SYE the shifter light no longer works either. The SYE was quite a bit cheaper for the 231 than the 242 as well.

 

What's wrong with a 242 that you don't want it?

 

Nothing wrong with the 242. It has a AWD (Part time 4WD) for a 48/52 torque split when driving on snowy/icy/wet roads.

 

It would be my preferred choice. Wish I had the ambition to put the spare one in my MJ.

 

Just don't like all the extra stuff with it. Just like to shift into 4hi or 4lo and never had experience with the 242

 

There's no extra stuff. Just the added feature that you can leave it in 4H full-time when road conditions are changing from slippery to not. If you did have experience with the 242, you would probably grow to like it.

 

The TC is a direct swap assuming you keep the spline counts the same, You'll also have to grab the shifter and linkage from the 231 as the 242 stuff is wrong/too long.

 

Yes and no. I use the stock 242 linkage with the 231 shift gate (The metal piece that the shifter goes through), and it works as designed. The linkage was fine.

I replaced my 242 due to the PO driving with no fluid in the case and snapping the chain. They then continued to drive and the chain ate the case in half. I wasn't able to find a 242 in the amount of time I had, or I'd have kept it. I prefer the "auto" 4wd for my wife and kids. An SYE is much cheaper for a 231 than a 242 as well, at least they were when I was looking for mine 8+ years ago.

 

the only linkage difference is in the shift arm bolted to the case, and the shift gate which is bolted tot he floor. I swapped from a 242 to 231 and it all worked fine. I just grabbed a 231 bezel and swapped it. works great. the bushings gave me a headache and wouldn't let me get to 2wd after a trail once so I did this... may be worth it to do at the same time, or maybe its not for you.

the 231 had a SYE kit and is rummered to be stronger in stock form then the 242, however thats debatable and both are good transfer cases.

The 242 does not have a true SYE, you can only do a HNT to a 242 leaving the thinner output shaft. many do it without issues. I ran a HNT on my 242 for 4 years until I swapped to a 231 with a wide chain, 2 low kit, and a SYE.

when it comes to swapping the T/cases you really just need to make sure it has the correct input on the T/case, correct length and spline count. all the rest should be the same.