87MJTIM Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 I was at my local PNP today and came upon an 88 XJ Limited. It has a really decent grey interior with leather electric seats! The driver's seat has some tares in it. It also has as an NP242! The question is: Do I want (need) it? Is a 242 longer than a 231? Would the drives shafts need changing to account for the difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 My thoughts on putting a 242 in (or just AWD in general). If if you have your vehicle in AWD mode, it is already at full traction. The problem with this is if your are stuck, then you are STUCK. However, if you get stuck with your MJ in 2wd, you have a fighting chance of getting it out in 4wd. Just my 2 cents though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krustyballer16 Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 Not sure if the difference is in the tcase or axles but the driveshafts were different between my 242/8.25 and my dads 231/D35...I honestly don't notice the difference in them at all. The 242 is in my wheeler. All 231s are in DDs. Maybe that's why I don't notice the difference, cuz I don't use the 231 often... Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krustyballer16 Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 The snout on the pumpkins are different lengths and so is the t-cases so I think on a 242/8.25 setup vs. the other it would be guessing near 1.5-2" difference in drive shaft length. Did I tell you the length the other day when I found this out? Cuz I think that is dead on! Somewhere around 1.5"-2" difference.Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted September 1, 2019 Author Share Posted September 1, 2019 No lift on mine, other than General Springs and 1.75" pucks up front. I have non-CAD D30 up front and a factory D44 in the rear. Running 235/75/15. I did some internet reading last night on the differences/benefits/drawbacks of switching to a 242. Most of the comments suggest that the 242 is best if you live where there is a lot of snow. Here in the mid-Atlantic, we get some snow that comes, then melts away before the next snow fall. It doesn't stick around for long (usually). Maryland likes to salt the roads. So when it does snow, I don't drive the MJ. I want to limit the exposure to rust causing salt. So, the 242 would not be a major benefit for me in the snow. Other comments said the 242 was a good off road tcase, but it was always with an automatic. Mine is a manual. Most comments said that the 231 is marginally better (not my words! don't start a debate). Also, the availability of service/parts is better for the 231 (again, not my words.) So, I think I will pass on getting the 242. I just hate to see good parts for our Jeeps get trashed like this. When ever I see a Renix era XJ there, I pull parts that are specific to that model: ECU, TB, cruise control parts, etc. The XJ has a good condition full gauge cluster and a black dash bezel. (I grabbed the clock and radio. Hello, Minuit?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 242 and 231 should be directly interchangeable. Same length, same shift linkage, etc. Only difference is the bezel and gate for the shift lever. And I guess the wiring for the 4x4 lights. I like the 242 for on-road use. Any setting where you might want the added traction under "normal" driving conditions without the inherent understeer you see in 4hi. Snowy or gravel roads, even for better stability towing, or just to spread some of the load off of the rear axle going up hills. As far as using it off-road, if you're going through more serious stuff you'd already be in 4hi. Full-time does offer significantly more traction than 2wd, but having that centre diff locked is another noticeable step up when you're pushing through seriously deep snow or crawling up a loose hill. The only times I'd use full-time are if I was driving at significant speed, or was more concerned about tearing up the surface I'm driving on thanks to 2wd spinning or 4hi forcing wheels to unload and spin while cornering, than actually getting stuck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 I like the 242 but I don't know if it's really worth it. Ripping around in AWD is fun, and a certainly is a bit useful in less than ideal road conditions. Lack of a decent/inexpensive SYE is what kills it for me. But that's me, most people don't care to run a SYE. So... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted September 3, 2019 Share Posted September 3, 2019 my Liberty's 242 has been in AWD mode for the last 12 years. Wouldn't have it any other way if no one has mentioned it yet, that 88 242 should be a 21 spline input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted September 3, 2019 Author Share Posted September 3, 2019 8 minutes ago, Pete M said: if no one has mentioned it yet, that 88 242 should be a 21 spline input. That was also an issue I wasn't sure about. I have an AX15 - 23 spline. I would have to switch back to the BA10. I DON'T THINK SO! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted September 3, 2019 Share Posted September 3, 2019 it's the perfect t-case for guys running the 2.5L Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted September 3, 2019 Author Share Posted September 3, 2019 For anybody interested, here is the link: https://www.lkqpickyourpart.com/locations/LKQ_Pick_Your_Part_-_Mount_Airy-208/recents/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted September 3, 2019 Share Posted September 3, 2019 2 hours ago, 87MJTIM said: That was also an issue I wasn't sure about. I have an AX15 - 23 spline. I would have to switch back to the BA10. I DON'T THINK SO! I'm pretty certain the input gears will swap between them... unless you have a later (95+) NP231 right now. There's a NP242 21 spline input gear in my Ecobox with a set of NP241DLD planetaries right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted September 3, 2019 Author Share Posted September 3, 2019 I’m going to pass on it. For my driving habits, a 242 will not be a benefit. I don’t 4wheel other than some dirt roads to land in WV. Also, I don’t drive on snowy roads. Too much work to convert the input shaft to 23 splines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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