Brewinghokie Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 Hey ya'll, long time lurker and Comanche lover, may be getting close to pulling the trigger on a 91 4.0 2wd manual (I assume AX-15) but ultimately want to convert it to 4x4. I previously had a 00 WJ with the NP242 Selectrac TC and loved it. What am I looking at to convert this 91 over to not only 4x4 but specifically a 242? I ask because I've read conflicting info online. The general idea is to find a 23 spline 242 and go from there, right or wrong? Any suggestions or thoughts would be much appreciated not only on this but general what to look for potentials problems in any Comanche but especially a 91. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 Welcome aboard! The HO’s are my personal favorites and are tough to find. Regarding running the 242, I don’t have any input . Had a 5.9 ZJ with the 242 but never much cared for it compared to the 231. In my mind the 242 was more for 4wd on street but the 231 was the unit to have for crawling. Regarding general things to look for pretty much everything is covered in this thread (just keep in mind that most of the MJs here are renix): Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 the 242 is my favorite t-case! I have one in my Liberty and it's been in AWD for 13 years now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewinghokie Posted October 27, 2020 Author Share Posted October 27, 2020 8 hours ago, ghetdjc320 said: Welcome aboard! The HO’s are my personal favorites and are tough to find. Regarding running the 242, I don’t have any input . Had a 5.9 ZJ with the 242 but never much cared for it compared to the 231. In my mind the 242 was more for 4wd on street but the 231 was the unit to have for crawling. Regarding general things to look for pretty much everything is covered in this thread (just keep in mind that most of the MJs here are renix): Oh yeah! Love the HO and really the 4.0s in general. Yeah that's really the reason I'm leaning towards the 242. It'll be most a snow/ some trail truck but mainly a DD. I won't end up doing any if much crawling. Oh man, those 5.9 fly! Shoot I completely looked over that thread. Time to go read! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewinghokie Posted October 27, 2020 Author Share Posted October 27, 2020 5 hours ago, Pete M said: the 242 is my favorite t-case! I have one in my Liberty and it's been in AWD for 13 years now. Same! Loved it in my WJ. Ha! I had a buddy in college who kept arguing that I couldn't flip it in 4 high whenever and leave it there however long I wanted.... Silly Dakota owner lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 even 2wd becomes pointless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 Now I want a 242 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limeyjeeper Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 I run a 242 in both my MJ's almost as tough as a 231. Not as much aftermarket support but full-time AWD is very handy. Can be a little noisy and jerky but I think it is the perfect compromise. You will need a 23 spline from a ZJ or a any XJ with an AX15 that will be a short snout and will work but seal between your TC and trans as you can get a bit if fluid leakage. The medium snout is pretty rare and only came behind the 93-95 ZJ with an auto. Avoid the long snout which will not fit with an AX15. Rebuilding is very easy. The kit costs about $200. I would also get an aftermarket linkage. The factory one is junk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 I'll play. I would not swap a 242 in an MJ, I would just stick with the stock 231 and here is why. Let's say hypothetically that you are driving along in AWD and your vehicle starts sliding. You try to correct it, but you're now parked in the ditch and you are stuck. You probably won't be able to get out using 4wd because you put it in there in 4wd. If you ditch it in 2wd you might have a fighting chance of using 4wd to get you out. Also, with AWD, by the time you lose traction, it will probably be too late to recover. Just my 2 cents. With all of that said, if I needed a T-case and I found a 242 before I found a 231, I would still get it and just run it in 2wd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 if you put it into a ditch accidentally you are likely going way faster than if you were trying to cross the ditch on purpose and so you're pretty darn stuck either way. 242 in AWD, all day every day. that's 13 years and 200k miles now. also, you can drive around in 2wd with the 242 if you really feel the need to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewinghokie Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 On 10/28/2020 at 9:06 AM, Limeyjeeper said: I run a 242 in both my MJ's almost as tough as a 231. Not as much aftermarket support but full-time AWD is very handy. Can be a little noisy and jerky but I think it is the perfect compromise. You will need a 23 spline from a ZJ or a any XJ with an AX15 that will be a short snout and will work but seal between your TC and trans as you can get a bit if fluid leakage. The medium snout is pretty rare and only came behind the 93-95 ZJ with an auto. Avoid the long snout which will not fit with an AX15. Rebuilding is very easy. The kit costs about $200. I would also get an aftermarket linkage. The factory one is junk. Perfect. Great info... this is exactly the type of thing I was looking for. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewinghokie Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 On 10/28/2020 at 9:27 AM, 89 MJ said: I'll play. I would not swap a 242 in an MJ, I would just stick with the stock 231 and here is why. Let's say hypothetically that you are driving along in AWD and your vehicle starts sliding. You try to correct it, but you're now parked in the ditch and you are stuck. You probably won't be able to get out using 4wd because you put it in there in 4wd. If you ditch it in 2wd you might have a fighting chance of using 4wd to get you out. Also, with AWD, by the time you lose traction, it will probably be too late to recover. Just my 2 cents. With all of that said, if I needed a T-case and I found a 242 before I found a 231, I would still get it and just run it in 2wd. Yeah those points are fair but in my experience previously with the 242, I'm highly unlikely to just ride around in 4wd high/AWD. Either way, whichever I find the best deal and quality t-case is likely the one I'll end up going with.. would just prefer the 242. Thanks for the input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 3 hours ago, Brewinghokie said: I'm highly unlikely to just ride around in 4wd high/AWD. 13 straight years now in AWD in my Libby. no downsides I've been able to find, not even fuel economy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 Just now, Pete M said: 13 straight years now in AWD in my Libby. no downsides I've been able to find, not even fuel economy. What kind of mileage does your Libby get, out of curiosity? I would guess mid 20s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 mid 20s around town (lots of hills in this area). but she can still pull the low 30s on highway trips. she's slipped just a little now that she has big tires and 200k. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 Just now, Pete M said: mid 20s around town (lots of hills in this area). but she can still pull the low 30s on highway trips. she's slipped just a little now that she has big tires and 200k. Wow! I'm very impressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 diesel life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewinghokie Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 6 hours ago, Pete M said: 13 straight years now in AWD in my Libby. no downsides I've been able to find, not even fuel economy. Ha. It's not that I couldn't.... it's just that sometimes 2wd is more fun... but actually my current 05 WK has the QTII system and sure the traction is nice but I do enjoy being in 2wd a good bit... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewinghokie Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 6 hours ago, Pete M said: mid 20s around town (lots of hills in this area). but she can still pull the low 30s on highway trips. she's slipped just a little now that she has big tires and 200k. 5 hours ago, Pete M said: diesel life first thought how in the hell? then I saw diesel... that's cheating lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 then sometimes I might shift into 2wd. until then, the magic traction fairies just keep doing their job, rain or shine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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