Is the 242 a 'bad' tcase?

[condoor]

I tried finding this with the search but didn't come up with much.

I'm looking at a used XJ that has a 242 in it and I'm confused as to the merits of this case. I've seen people swap these cases out in favor of the 231, but I've also seen people swap these cases 'in' in place of the 249.

I'm planning on running 31s out of the gate, and potentially going to 33s down the road, but no chance of going bigger than that. I'm planning on doing a 3.5" lift and a SYE/DS as well.

thx-

[Skullver]

the main difference is the 242 has a full time 4wd option to allow using 4wd all the time for substandard DD conditions, there also aren't any HD SYE options for the 242, only hack-n-tap, which is not really a problem in my experiences. A matter of preference really.

[IntrepidXJ]

242 is a good case.

it all really comes down to preferance.

there is nothing wrong with a 242

[ZachMan]

33s soon to be 35s with 242. I will eventually go with a 2 speed STAK case though.

[cLAYH]

I swapped out the NP231 for a 242, I like the full time option when running on snowy streets or gravel roads. Helps keep the locked rear end from kicking out the 36" tires.

[IntrepidXJ]

I swapped out the NP231 for a 242, I like the full time option when running on snowy streets or gravel roads. Helps keep the locked rear end from kicking out the 36" tires.

see, and i went the other way....from a 242 to a 231. not because i had any problems with the 242, but i wanted to runa flat belly skid, so i needed the smaller case. plus the addition of the 2LO kit was nice, too.

[OT]

I cratered a 242 a couple of years ago.
Broke the shaft at the speedo splines.
So, I rebuilt it and made a fixed yoke.
I've beaten the HELL out of it ever since and not so much as a whimper.

[woody]

The loss of (a bit) of ground clearance -and availability of 'flat' skid plates- is the biggest drawback of the 242. I have had good luck with mine...

[RedHeep]

My full time was really nice last night in the downpour we got here in eastern NC. Doesn't feel like I'm going to hydroplane all over the road.

[Roxtar]

Sorry to hijack but what's the difference between full time 4WD and 4HI?

[heeperman]

4HI is a 50-50 power split front and rear, where as with the full time position on the NP242 the split is 52% Rear - 48% front, which permits you to run in 4wd on all surfaces without experiencing bind up

[Roxtar]

4HI is a 50-50 power split front and rear, where as with the full time position on the NP242 the split is 52% Rear - 48% front, which permits you to run in 4wd on all surfaces without experiencing bind upHow is that accomplished?
Internal clutches?

[heeperman]

its done with a differential within the transfer case

[ZachMan]

The loss of (a bit) of ground clearance -and availability of 'flat' skid plates- is the biggest drawback of the 242. I have had good luck with mine...


TNT Customs Bellypan, yeah its lower than the 231 version, but its still a flat belly pan.

[IntrepidXJ]

TNT Customs Bellypan, yeah its lower than the 231 version, but its still a flat belly pan.

it wasn't flat enough for my tastes. the little hump bult in for the 242 is a great flace to get hung up on IMO. a truly flat belly makes a big difference

[maineiac]

i had a 242 in my cherokee and beat the snot out of it , than when i blew it up i went with a 231 because i could get one alot cheeper

[Root Moose]

i had a 242 in my cherokee and beat the snot out of it , than when i blew it up i went with a 231 because i could get one alot cheeper


That's odd. they practically give them away around here (~$100).

[anderld47]

the main difference is the 242 has a full time 4wd option to allow using 4wd all the time for substandard DD conditions, there also aren't any HD SYE options for the 242, only hack-n-tap, which is not really a problem in my experiences. A matter of preference really.

You can get an sye with a yolk for the 242 as part of a combination of Tom Woods rear ds. Uses the yolk off a d300. Comes to $500 after $400 core.

GOTO

http://www.redrock4x4.com/shop/products/259.html

[anderld47]

I tried finding this with the search but didn't come up with much.

I'm looking at a used XJ that has a 242 in it and I'm confused as to the merits of this case. I've seen people swap these cases out in favor of the 231, but I've also seen people swap these cases 'in' in place of the 249.

I'm planning on running 31s out of the gate, and potentially going to 33s down the road, but no chance of going bigger than that. I'm planning on doing a 3.5" lift and a SYE/DS as well.

thx-

This from a OEM thread..

last time i checked it was good for 1486ft/lbs.


from 4wheeloffroad.com:

NP242

Type: Part-time/ full-time, aluminum, chaindriven case

Low range: 2.72:1

Applications: ’98-present Dodge Durangos and Dakotas, Hummers, and ’87-present Jeep Cherokees

If you have an NP242 in you truck, keep it! Stop sending us letters asking how you can swap in an NP231 because we don’t want you doing it. The NP242 is a better case and it gives you more choices when it comes to routing power to the wheels. The NP242 HD is stronger than the NP231, and you can get slip-yoke eliminator kits and lower low-range gears for it just like an NP231. If it makes you feel better, take pride in knowing that AM General uses its own version of this case called the “NVG242 HD AMG.” It is rated for the 11,500-pound GVW of the Hummer. Of course it is way cooler than the version in your Cherokee because it has an external transfer case oil cooler. We’ll let you know when we come up with a way to retrofit it to other cases.

[Heb80]

I broke my 242 three weeks ago.

picture: http://community.webshots.com/photo/146686307/2001873930044812570yYauNz#

thread:
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=86603

231HD should be here next week.

[krelja]

the thing that scares me about the 242 is I've heard and I can be wrong but if the viscious coupling goes its alot of $$$$$$. maybe even more so than swapping in a 231.

[Mike1331]

I've beat the crap out of both the 242 and 231 in two different cherokees and I can know say I prefer the 242. Still a subjective matter as they are both good cases.

[Heb80]

the thing that scares me about the 242 is I've heard and I can be wrong but if the viscious coupling goes its alot of $$$$$$. maybe even more so than swapping in a 231.

There isn't a viscious coupling inside a 242.... You're thinking of the 249 perhaps. The 242 (torn apart sitting on my workbench) has a planetary style differential inside of it. Although the differential still works, the teeth that engage it to the main shaft are nearly 1/2 missing.

And yes, if anything, other than a fork or a bearing goes bad inside a 242, its cheaper to just throw in a junkyard T-case... be it another 242 or a 231. I found a 50k mile T-case can be had for around $300. My decision, based on the fact that both of my axles are locked preventing me from using the open differential feature in a 242, was to opt for a 231.

[woody]

the thing that scares me about the 242 is I've heard and I can be wrong but if the viscious coupling goes its alot of $$$$$$. maybe even more so than swapping in a 231.


The 242 doesn't have a viscous coupling (you may be thinking of the ZJ/WJ cases?)... it has a differential between the output shafts that allows front to rear torque shift. This shift is what allows it to be operated on dry pavement in the Full-Time high mode. This mode is similar in operation to an open axle differential. The Part-Time high or low mode locks the front and rear output shafts into a 50/50 bias.

Many junkyards would not distinguish a value between a 231 or a 242... and both are basically interchangeable between XJs of similar year (gather the shifter trim plate and the removable link-rod when you get the donor case)

An older 242 in place of a 231 will not have the vacuum ports to activate a disconnect front axle or light the dash lights. A vacuum equipped 231 in place of a 242 won't have the wire pigtail to light the dash lights. Newer non-disco Jeeps may be plug & play?

My biggest gripes on a 242 (vs a 231)

Lack of a readily-available HD output shaft, 2 low, or lower low range.

Hangs lower... and so do most all the available skid plates.

More expensive (and maybe a bit more complicated) to rebuild.

[OT]

Good read:
http://casey.stvin.org/wilma/xj-list/199905/msg03352.html

[Big Red]

Yeah the 241 Rock Trak is the way to go, much better than to spend the $ on a 231 doing 4:1 and SYE. You can get one for around $1K slightly used. I got mine for $1,100 on ebay and sold my 231 with SYE on ebay for $500 so it was a nice $600 upgrade on my 91'.

I'll sell my 231 23 spline from my 98' XJ with 130K miles for a 242 23 spline straight up if anyone wants to. We both cover shipping. I had the 242 in a few of my XJ and ZJ and like it for it's full time 4 high mode. I can do this after the 1st of the year, I'm too busy before then with moving and going to Hawaii for a few weeks.

Troy