231 Vs. 242 Tc

[FarmerBrown5]

He guys, just wanna hear everyones input on their opinions of these two transfer cases. Pros and cons. I have a 242 now and like it a lot, but have a chance to pick up a 231 for cheap. I just want to hear your thoughts between the two!

[Blue88Comanche]

i have the 242 in my MJ, i had the 231 from the factory.  I like the 242 over the 231 because it has the full time 4wd option.  but the 231 has a larger aftermarket product base, (2wd low kit, 4:1 kit, sye kit).  if you can get it for cheap is it possible to store it?  Then you would be covered if something happened to your current TC.

 

when locked it part time they are about the same strength.

 

personally i would keep the 242, and get the 231 as a spare if it can be acquired for a good price.

[FarmerBrown5]

Me and my brother bought a parts jeep that has a 231. Ive tossed the idea around if I should go to 231 or not (kinda why i started the topic). My half for the jeep ran about 150 $ so ill be ahead very shortly after we acquire needed parts and then piece it out and sell the rest. I plan to pull the TC and store it with the rest of the Jeep stock in case i need it in the future. I as well like the full time option  :thumbsup:

[Eagle]

Most XJ or MJ owners who swap transfer cases migrate FROM the 231 to the 242 in order to gain the full-time capability. As noted, the 231 is only slightly stronger, and in years of wheeling with NAXJA NAC I never saw anyone manage to break a 242. It's your choice, but I wouldn't swap out a 242 in favor of a 231 if I already had the 242.

[cruiser54]

Most XJ or MJ owners who swap transfer cases migrate FROM the 231 to the 242 in order to gain the full-time capability. As noted, the 231 is only slightly stronger, and in years of wheeling with NAXJA NAC I never saw anyone manage to break a 242. It's your choice, but I wouldn't swap out a 242 in favor of a 231 if I already had the 242.

Me neither.

[92tanMJ]

Most XJ or MJ owners who swap transfer cases migrate FROM the 231 to the 242 in order to gain the full-time capability. As noted, the 231 is only slightly stronger, and in years of wheeling with NAXJA NAC I never saw anyone manage to break a 242. It's your choice, but I wouldn't swap out a 242 in favor of a 231 if I already had the 242.

:agree: I'll trade you 231 for a 242 ;) hahaha

[FarmerBrown5]

I always like hearing everyones opinions! After some of my own research the 242 seems like the more obvious choice and seems to be a vey common swap. Going to pull the TC out of this XJ and then store it. You can never have too many spare parts!  ;)

[benjy_26]

Most XJ or MJ owners who swap transfer cases migrate FROM the 231 to the 242 in order to gain the full-time capability. As noted, the 231 is only slightly stronger, and in years of wheeling with NAXJA NAC I never saw anyone manage to break a 242. It's your choice, but I wouldn't swap out a 242 in favor of a 231 if I already had the 242.

You must be talking to guys with small lifts. Most of the Jeepers around here ditch the 242 for thr 231 for the easy SYE conversion. That, and we only get one snow day every five years 'round here. :)

[Eagle]

 

Most XJ or MJ owners who swap transfer cases migrate FROM the 231 to the 242 in order to gain the full-time capability. As noted, the 231 is only slightly stronger, and in years of wheeling with NAXJA NAC I never saw anyone manage to break a 242. It's your choice, but I wouldn't swap out a 242 in favor of a 231 if I already had the 242.

You must be talking to guys with small lifts. Most of the Jeepers around here ditch the 242 for thr 231 for the easy SYE conversion. That, and we only get one snow day every five years 'round here. :)

 

 

If you call 6 to 8 inches of lift with 35-inch tires "small," then I guess I'm talking about small lifts.

[Incommando]

I would gladly trade my 231 for a 242...can't find any takers and mine is the late model 231 that won't puke fluid if you pull the driveshaft