Np 242 Vs Np 231

[Wiggilez]

The donor Cherokee for my Comanche has a NP242 in it (I'm fairly sure) I was wondering what the major pros and cons over an NP231.

 

thanks

[benjy_26]

Depends on what kind of things you want to use your Jeep for.

[Wiggilez]

when it done id like a decent split between on and off road drive-ability.

[benjy_26]

Well, depends on how you prioritize on road vs off road driveability. On dry roads, I'd say that they're pretty much the same, seeing as how most will use them in 2wd. When things get wet and slippery on tarmac, the 242's AWD option can be beneficial at times. The 4H and 4L options are both pretty much thr same. The 231's main advantages are its lighter weight, bigger aftermarket support l, and its ability to handle pretty big power #'s when built properly.

[benjy_26]

FWIW, some high speed desert guys around my area preffer the 242 for desert blasting and dune running due to the reduced bind when running in AWD vs the 231's 4H setting.

[Wiggilez]

nothing to extreme, in terms of off-road. so it should be fine then. thank you for your help.

[Eagle]

The 231 is slightly stronger, but in several years of wheeling events with NAXJA-NAC I never saw anyone break a 242. So the real difference is simply the 242's full-time 4WD option, that allows putting it in 4WD and forgetting it. On winter road trips, with a 231 I've found it gets to be a nuisance shifting in and out of 4WD as sections of road alternate between snow-covered and dry pavement.

[yxmj]

I have both in 2 almost identical Riggs.....like stated above the 242 is nice in the way you can "set it and forget it" and not have to shift in and out.....a definite advantage  if you have a novice driver who is unsure about when the 231 should be taken out of gear.....having the 242 surly saved a chain or 2 when the wife or one of the daughters drove..... :thumbsup:

[Rockfrog]

My XJ retains the 231 as it is the trail rig ... my MJ on the other hand will receive a 242 when I do the 4wd conversion this spring. I use the MJ for getting to and from work (250 km each way) year round. I want it for the winter driving ... otherwise I would throw a 231 in it for simplicity.

 

Just my take on the subject

 

[Blue88Comanche]

Well, depends on how you prioritize on road vs off road driveability. On dry roads, I'd say that they're pretty much the same, seeing as how most will use them in 2wd. When things get wet and slippery on tarmac, the 242's AWD option can be beneficial at times. The 4H and 4L options are both pretty much thr same. The 231's main advantages are its lighter weight, bigger aftermarket support l, and its ability to handle pretty big power #'s when built properly.

 

 

I agree, but The torque ratings are very close, I think the only reason the 231 is stronger than the 242 was the fact the 242 has the "open" center diff.

 

I have the 242 in my jeep and now that both front and rear axle ratios match again i will be leaving it in Full time 4wd..  

 

One thing to consider is the D30 U-Joints on sharp turns can jerk the steering wheel when in any 4wd mode.  I converted over to CV joints to solve that problem.

[Wiggilez]

thanks guys this info has all been very useful,

 

 

 

Well, depends on how you prioritize on road vs off road driveability. On dry roads, I'd say that they're pretty much the same, seeing as how most will use them in 2wd. When things get wet and slippery on tarmac, the 242's AWD option can be beneficial at times. The 4H and 4L options are both pretty much thr same. The 231's main advantages are its lighter weight, bigger aftermarket support l, and its ability to handle pretty big power #'s when built properly.

 

 

I agree, but The torque ratings are very close, I think the only reason the 231 is stronger than the 242 was the fact the 242 has the "open" center diff.

 

I have the 242 in my jeep and now that both front and rear axle ratios match again i will be leaving it in Full time 4wd..  

 

One thing to consider is the D30 U-Joints on sharp turns can jerk the steering wheel when in any 4wd mode.  I converted over to CV joints to solve that problem.

 

by open center diff you mean when it in AWD right and not the part time 4x4.

[Blue88Comanche]

thanks guys this info has all been very useful,

 

 

 

Well, depends on how you prioritize on road vs off road driveability. On dry roads, I'd say that they're pretty much the same, seeing as how most will use them in 2wd. When things get wet and slippery on tarmac, the 242's AWD option can be beneficial at times. The 4H and 4L options are both pretty much thr same. The 231's main advantages are its lighter weight, bigger aftermarket support l, and its ability to handle pretty big power #'s when built properly.

 

 

I agree, but The torque ratings are very close, I think the only reason the 231 is stronger than the 242 was the fact the 242 has the "open" center diff.

 

I have the 242 in my jeep and now that both front and rear axle ratios match again i will be leaving it in Full time 4wd..  

 

One thing to consider is the D30 U-Joints on sharp turns can jerk the steering wheel when in any 4wd mode.  I converted over to CV joints to solve that problem.

 

by open center diff you mean when it in AWD right and not the part time 4x4.

yes

 

when in AWD mode the 242 acts like a open center diff, when in Part time 4wd mode it will be locked

[Wiggilez]

cool

[dasbulliwagen]

don't all of the AWD tranfer case jeep require the front axle to not have a disconnect? Might be something to check out before installing.

[Wiggilez]

I'm swaping the whole drive-line so it shouldn't matter.

[Alexia]

The NP242 has the same torque rating while in Part-Time 4WD, locked, like the NP231. The Full-Time 4WD, open, mode has roughly 20% to 30% less torque handling depending on the model year. I have the NP242 in my heavy LJ with 35" tires and it has yet to break while slamming the gas down in Full-Time 4WD.

[Eagle]

don't all of the AWD tranfer case jeep require the front axle to not have a disconnect? Might be something to check out before installing.

Yes. If the t-case is in full-time and the front axle is unlocked -- you won't go anywhere. The 242 never came with a CAD (and neither did the 228/229 t-case that was the Selec-Trac option for 84-86).

[Wiggilez]

so when I swap the axles I won't have to do a CAD fix cause there won't be one?

[benjy_26]

I believe my comments were misconstrued. I agree that in STOCK form the 242 and 231 handle about the same amounts of power, BUT, there are ways to mod the 231 to handle quite a bit more, as well as there being a larger aftermarket for it. For a DD/ light wheeler, this probably won't make a difference. For those building something a bit more radical, being able to use a heavier duty chain and having a lower gearset might point them in the direction of the 231.

[carnuck]

There are things you can do to the 242 as well. Using parts from a NV242 DHD (used in diesel Dodges) or the version they used Humvees behind 6.5L turbo diesels can give you the strength (wider chain, etc) WJs with 242 replaced the open carrier with a Torsen limited slip unit.

[Bornindesert]

I believe my comments were misconstrued. I agree that in STOCK form the 242 and 231 handle about the same amounts of power, BUT, there are ways to mod the 231 to handle quite a bit more, as well as there being a larger aftermarket for it. For a DD/ light wheeler, this probably won't make a difference. For those building something a bit more radical, being able to use a heavier duty chain and having a lower gearset might point them in the direction of the 231.

 

I have the 242 (it was added) in my Wht 88 MJ. Really liked having the Full-time when I lived in Indiana, would deliver trailer loads of hay all winter long and got great traction on the streets, pulling out from a dead stop at the light or stop sign...NP :thumbsup:

 

In Arizona, not so wet and nasty...and was looking at a SYE for it, not much out there unless you go with a Hack n Tap. So, just echoing benjy_26's point on the fact that there's more options available with the 231.

 

Now that my son is driving the truck, he thinks it's cool driving around in Full-time going on and off dry pavement and dirt roads (we live on a dirt road haha)! The next two MJ's on my build list are going to be 231's, and would like to add the four-gear planatary and SYE at some point.

[benjy_26]

There are things you can do to the 242 as well. Using parts from a NV242 DHD (used in diesel Dodges) or the version they used Humvees behind 6.5L turbo diesels can give you the strength (wider chain, etc) WJs with 242 replaced the open carrier with a Torsen limited slip unit.

I was not aware of this....

 

May have to take a second look at the 242.

[benjy_26]

 

I believe my comments were misconstrued. I agree that in STOCK form the 242 and 231 handle about the same amounts of power, BUT, there are ways to mod the 231 to handle quite a bit more, as well as there being a larger aftermarket for it. For a DD/ light wheeler, this probably won't make a difference. For those building something a bit more radical, being able to use a heavier duty chain and having a lower gearset might point them in the direction of the 231.

 

 

I have the 242 (it was added) in my Wht 88 MJ. Really liked having the Full-time when I lived in Indiana, would deliver trailer loads of hay all winter long and got great traction on the streets, pulling out from a dead stop at the light or stop sign...NP :thumbsup:

 

In Arizona, not so wet and nasty...and was looking at a SYE for it, not much out there unless you go with a Hack n Tap. So, just echoing benjy_26's point on the fact that there's more options available with the 231.

 

Now that my son is driving the truck, he thinks it's cool driving around in Full-time going on and off dry pavement and dirt roads (we live on a dirt road haha)! The next two MJ's on my build list are going to be 231's, and would like to add the four-gear planatary and SYE at some point.

AWD is a BLAST when you're bombing desert roads. :) I keep debating whether or not to keep my ZJ 2wd or break down and turn it into an AWD/ 4wd bomber. Maybe a 242 with the torsen and a LP D30 with beefed up CV's would be a cool set up for a high speed, long travel desert Jeep.

[yxmj]

Here is a nice bit of info   

 

 http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/np242.htm

 

beefed up used in hummers......I like mine  :thumbsup:

[Wiggilez]

too bad i've never seen an H1 in the JY around here :(