i have 2 89 cherokees one of them is a mudtoy and we had to get another tranny for it from pullapart well we gotta a transfer case too and just put the tranny and transfer case in there. Well we still have the old transfer case and it works.. But our other 89 xj has a 242 transfer case would i be able to swap the 242 with a 231???

 

yes

 

Is the 242 broken? I wouldn't swap them just because. There's been a couple discussions on here about it, and one isn't really better than the other.

 

yes the 242 is broken.. the chain is screwed there were metal shavings in it when we cracked it open.. the person we bought it from apparently never checked the fluid in it and ran it dry and messed it all up. So even though the 231 is longer than the 242 it will still work?

 

Welcome to the forums, btw

 

Thanx. so will it still work even though the 242 is shorter than the 231

 

You may need to get a driveshaft that matches it if they are different lengths, but I'm not really sure.

 

I'm interested in this as well if anyone has done it.
I have a 231, but due to it being winter here about 6 mo a year, it might be nice to have a 242.

 

I bought a 98 xj for parts and it had a 242 in it (I have a 231 in mine) my rear drive shaft blew up on a trip to vt and I swapped shafts right in there both the same length

 

well my dad doesnt think that it would work because they are different sizes... What do i need to do to put a 231 instead of the 242 that was done.

 

so is the 242 transfer case the one that allows full and part-time 4 wheel drive? I'm a n00b with this stuff.

 

Yes.

 

Provided that your spline counts are the same .... the 231 will bolt in place of the 242.


HOWEVER ... you should watch for a few things.


1) Make sure the amount of input shaft sticking out of the case is the same.


2) You will need to transfer the rod that connects the case to the lever (they're different between the two)


3) Your speedometer gear may be different. Count the one on your existing case.



You have not said what year case you have found. The 242 is actually a bigger case than the 231. The fact that you are saying the 231 is shorter is telling me that you found an older style 231 with the long cone. If so ... it would be easier to find a more recent case with the same setup. Otherwise you will have driveshaft issues.


Strength wise ... the 231 has a slight edge because of the "elimination" of the center mechanical differential. More aftermarket parts are available for it as well.



Joe
EndlessMtnFab

 

Well they are both out of 89 jeeps... would a 91 possibly work better or do i need newer than that...

 

post pics of both TCs