IronManche87 Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 Alright all, in need of some knowledge! My truck is an 87 lwb 2wd auto non cruise. My donor vehicle is an 87 xj Laredo tow package auto 4wd with the 242j trans and cruise control. I know the basic swap the axle, trans, tcase, front shaft, and bezel but with the vac disco, what all do I need to take? Just follow the vacuum lines and rip it all out? Would the rear shaft be the same spline being same year and trans? Does the front shaft go right on without adjusting the length? Basically, what all will I need to take to 4wd swap and swap in cruise control? Any and all input is greatly appreciated!! Thanks all! And happy turkey day!! Sent from my LGMS210 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronManche87 Posted November 23, 2017 Author Share Posted November 23, 2017 Pics of the donor and the mancheSent from my LGMS210 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yxmj Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 Endure yourself to the forum......take a moment...use the search option...read others build threads..... Read others 2wd to 4wd threads ......the answer to all your questions are right here......but to answer quick yes....no....yes...there is a thread on that here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 you shouldn't have an axle disconnect (CAD) in that XJ. the 242 awd t-case didn't come with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronManche87 Posted November 23, 2017 Author Share Posted November 23, 2017 you shouldn't have an axle disconnect (CAD) in that XJ. the 242 awd t-case didn't come with it. I actually just happen to read about such right before you posted sir! I wasn't sure since I assumed it did without actually looking at the axle..... But thank you for the double assurance!! Happy turkey day sir!Sent from my LGMS210 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 The 242 is a direct replacement for the 231, everything is the same size. The differences in spline counts and shaft lengths are for the tcase input, so between the trans and tcase. Yours are already together so you'll be good to go. The front driveshaft from the XJ will be the right length already, you'll need a custom length rear driveshaft, but the same length as a 231 swap. Everything should be the same really as a 231 swap except the 242 didn't have the CAD. So no dealing with the vacuum bs there. And I guess the shifter bezel is different too. One thing you should watch for though is I'm pretty sure the towing package came with deeper gears than the regular combos, so you'll want to watch that. Although you might also want to swap in the rear axle anyhow because the towing package would've come with a Dana 44 rear axle. But even with the 242 you'll want your gear ratios to match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronManche87 Posted November 23, 2017 Author Share Posted November 23, 2017 The 242 is a direct replacement for the 231, everything is the same size. The differences in spline counts and shaft lengths are for the tcase input, so between the trans and tcase. Yours are already together so you'll be good to go. The front driveshaft from the XJ will be the right length already, you'll need a custom length rear driveshaft, but the same length as a 231 swap. Everything should be the same really as a 231 swap except the 242 didn't have the CAD. So no dealing with the vacuum bs there. And I guess the shifter bezel is different too. One thing you should watch for though is I'm pretty sure the towing package came with deeper gears than the regular combos, so you'll want to watch that. Although you might also want to swap in the rear axle anyhow because the towing package would've come with a Dana 44 rear axle. But even with the 242 you'll want your gear ratios to match. Thank you for the response and great info! Much appreciated! I'm going to swap the whole drivetrain aside from the engine so luckily don't have to worry about ratios really but deeper gears always better lol. Now my only concerns are swapping in cruise into a renix although thankfully Dan sent me the HO install so hopefully that'll be of great use!Sent from my LGMS210 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted November 24, 2017 Share Posted November 24, 2017 6 hours ago, gogmorgo said: One thing you should watch for though is I'm pretty sure the towing package came with deeper gears than the regular combos, so you'll want to watch that. Although you might also want to swap in the rear axle anyhow because the towing package would've come with a Dana 44 rear axle. But even with the 242 you'll want your gear ratios to match. It's a myth that the gears were different, at least as far as I've seen with a 4L equipped XJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted November 24, 2017 Share Posted November 24, 2017 9 hours ago, IronManche87 said: ....... although thankfully Dan sent me the HO install so hopefully that'll be of great use! It's Don, not Dan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronManche87 Posted November 24, 2017 Author Share Posted November 24, 2017 It's Don, not Dan. Oops.. I apologize auto correct squeaks by sometimes.. Happy thanksgiving sir!Sent from my LGMS210 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted November 24, 2017 Share Posted November 24, 2017 Same to you mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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