Transfer case swap 231 to 242

2new2know · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2007 9:44 am

I am looking into swapping out my 231 transfer case with a 242 and I found two at the wreckers for $350. There is no problem with my 231 but I want better grip on wet/snowy roads. Both cases are out a Liberties, one a 04 the other any 02 and they have around 24k miles on them.

The problem is I have a manual transmission and the 242 was only sold with an auto, will they still bolt up?
What about the t-case shift, is there a different gate for the full time system?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:15 am

If you want better grip on snowy and wet roads I am sure there are other ways of going about it than changing out the transfer case. Do you have any type of lockers now, what type of tires are you running? if you change out the transfer case and still have opens diffs then you have not really gained anything, unless I am really mising something here.

tom

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:40 am

Tom is right. You have to be able to get traction first.

Terry

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:42 am

I have a locker and it doesnt make a HUGE difference in the snow.

What kind of tires do you have?

And I will agree with 2new that the fulltime feature really helps with traction in snow and rain. I use it almost everytime it rains if Im driving in stop and go traffic. The stock tires just spin when it rains.

scrambledKJ · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:28 pm

I would assume that they do not swap. In the YJ/TJ 231's there are 2 different spline counts and 2 different collar depths. Call advanced adapters and they might give you more info. They were pretty smart about why my 231 wouldn't bolt to the 700r4. If anyone has pulled a 242 out, what is the input shaft diameter and spline count?

Travis

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:35 pm

I just think it would be a lot of work for not much but I may be wrong

hey Travis send me your email address again! I was going to send you some pictures but LOST it somewhere!

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:47 pm

scrambledKJ wrote:

I would assume that they do not swap. In the YJ/TJ 231's there are 2 different spline counts and 2 different collar depths. Call advanced adapters and they might give you more info. They were pretty smart about why my 231 wouldn't bolt to the 700r4. If anyone has pulled a 242 out, what is the input shaft diameter and spline count?

Travis

You are right,the KJ has 2 different 231 t-cases to,1 for auto's and the other for sticks.Different inputs between the auto and sticks.I don't think there are any 242's out there with the correct input for a KJ stick.Advance adapters may have something but your going to spend some $$$ there(good stuff just pricy).

2new2know · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2007 1:37 pm

Currently I am runing Dunlop Rover RVXT 235/70/16 (winter rated)with less than 5k miles on them, they did make a big difference over the stock goodyears, but still spin on wet roads.
I think it would be easlier just to put it in full time and keep there, not shift it in and out of part time. This is most important in the winter were road are covered in snow and then dry and back to snow with a mile. I would also like to let wifie drive the jeep without taking out the drivetrain.
I would like to go to a limited slip but I think it would be a bigger job and cost the same. A locker is not practical for wifie to operate.

I did look at part numbers for 231 liberty case and there is only one for both auto and manual, this be a clue to the adaptors? There is only one part number the drive shafts.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2007 3:38 pm

Jeep Drivetrain Options
Jeep Engines Jeep Axles Jeep Transfer Cases Jeep Transmissions

134 I-4 Dana 25/27 Dana 18 T-150 (3-speed manual)
2.0L/2.4L I-4 Dana 30 Dana 20 T-18 (4-speed manual)
2.1L Turbo Diesel Dana 35 Dana 300 T-98 (4-speed manual)
2.4L I-4 Dana 44 NP207 (Command-Trac) T-176 (4-speed manual)
2.5L I-4 Chrysler 8.25 NP228 (Selec-Trac) SR-4 (4-speed manual)
2.5L Turbo Diesel Dana 60 (M715) NP231 (Command-Trac) BA 10/5 (5-speed manual)
2.8L Turbo-diesel Dana 70 (M715) NP241 (Gen II Command-Trac) T355 (5-speed manual)
2.8L V6 AMC Model 20 NP241OR (Rock-Trac) T-4 / T-5 (4 / 5-speed manual)
225ci V-6 NP242 (Selec-Trac) AX4/AX5 (4/5-speed manual)
3.7L V-6 NV247 (Quadra-Trac II) AX15 (5-speed manual)
3.8L V-6 NP249 (Quadra-Trac) NV3550 (5-speed manual)
2.7 5 cyl Turbo Diesel NP200 (M715) NSG370 (6-speed manual)
226ci I-6 BG6 (6-speed manual)
230ci I-6 TF727 (3-speed automatic)
4.0L I-6 TH400 (3-speed automatic)
4.2L I-6 258 TF904/TF909 (3-speed automatic)
AMC V8 TF999 (3-speed automatic)
4.7L V-8 30RH/32RH (3-speed automatic)
5.2L V-8 AW4 (4-speed automatic)
327ci V-8 42RE/44RE (4-speed automatic)
5.7L V-8 46RE (4-speed automatic)
5.9L V-8 45RFE/545RFE (4/5-speed automatic)
6.1L V-8 42RLE (4-speed automatic)
NAG-1/W5A580 (5-speed automatic)
CVT2/CVT3 (Continuously variable automatic)

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2007 4:18 pm

I believe some of those are wrong Darby.

5.7L V-8 46RE (4-speed automatic)
5.9L V-8 45RFE/545RFE (4/5-speed automatic)
6.1L V-8 42RLE (4-speed automatic)

5.7=545
5.9=46RE
6.1=?

3.7L V-6 NV247 (Quadra-Trac II) AX15 (5-speed manual)???

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Thu Sep 20, 2007 5:43 pm

Just copied from a Wiki Page...lol...didn't check them all but noticed a few were missing

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 3:16 pm

OK, I've actually done this so I've got an idea.

Mine was on an auto. For the auto KJ, both the 231 & the 242 have input sockets with 23 splines & is 2 inches deep. The output shaft has 31 splines & is 5 inches long. For reference, the XJ & WJ autos are the same, except the output shaft has only 27 splines. If you can confirm that the manual transmission has 23 splines, you can just swap them out. Get a selector handle (It comes complete with the different gate, cable & lable) for a selec-trac model & you are good to go

The difference is huge, even with out lockers. Lockers or an LSD in the differentials will make it even more cabable, but even with open diffs, the full time 4wd is a huge improvement in the snow & heavy rain. The 242 case has an LSD for fromt to rear biasing in FT4WD mode & locks front to rear when in PT4WD or LO. So when it's in the slick stuff & in FT4WD, it transfers the power front to rear as needed.

A locker or LSD in the differentials control left to right biasing. This will make traction even more superior, but their absence has no bearing on the usefulness of FT4WD with open diffs. If you have the desire to upgrade both the t-case & diffs... If you off-road, get lockers, if rain & snow on the road is the craziest you get go LSD.

Here's my write up on the project:
http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32339[/url]

KY Liberty · **Joined:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:46 pm **Posts:** 1195

You need to swap them. You'll love the 242 for the snow and ice if you've got some decent tires. I won't by a Jeep without it. I have the factory LSD, and after a dry week or two, when it rains I can barely move forward in 2WD. Just spins both rear tires over about 25% throttle and will fishtail in a circle if I don't let off. With the FT4WD, I can stomp on it, and can just barely feel the tires slipping. It's very capable if I behave. It's incredible in the snow and ice mixture we get around here. Just put it in 1st and be easy on the skinny pedal, and you'll be amazed what it can crawl through. Going up and down the hills is actually fairly easy.

BeepBeepJeepJeep · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:56 pm

So if I'm reading this right, since I have the 5-Speed NV3500 i'm stuck with the NV231? :cry:

Guest · **Posted:** Sat Sep 22, 2007 12:13 am

BeepBeepJeepJeep wrote:

So if I'm reading this right, since I have the 5-Speed NV3500 i'm stuck with the NV231? :cry:

No body has said that yet! Only that it MAY not work. If the NV3500 has 23 splines on the output shaft, you are good to go!

Ask one of the yards you are dealing with if they have a NV3500, or a T-case formerly attached to the NV3500, you can look at to confirm. Or talk to a knowlegable Tech at the dealership.

BeepBeepJeepJeep · **Posted:** Sat Sep 22, 2007 8:33 am

KJpilot wrote:

BeepBeepJeepJeep wrote:

So if I'm reading this right, since I have the 5-Speed NV3500 i'm stuck with the NV231? :cry:

No body has said that yet! Only that it MAY not work. If the NV3500 has 23 splines on the output shaft, you are good to go!

Ask one of the yards you are dealing with if they have a NV3500, or a T-case formerly attached to the NV3500, you can look at to confirm. Or talk to a knowlegable Tech at the dealership.

I just did some quick e-search, and it looks like a few online sources say the NV3550 (Not 3500 sorry, that was a typo) does have 23 splines out the output shaft.

http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-340420.html
http://www.high-impact.net/transmission_and_gear/nv3550_AX5replmt.htm

So if THIS the case, I can get the 242?

itsajeepthing · **Posted:** Sat Sep 22, 2007 9:24 am

I've heard that you get some strange binding issues with the manual trans and full-time 4wd engaged, does this make sense? I actually considered doing this a long time ago, but the mechanic at the dealership said not to, there was a reason that Jeep didnt offer the FT trans. case with manual trans. combination. It has problems. Can anyone confirm our discount this? Because I have always wanted to do this swap!

BeepBeepJeepJeep · **Posted:** Sat Sep 22, 2007 9:29 am

itsajeepthing wrote:

I've heard that you get some strange binding issues with the manual trans and full-time 4wd engaged, does this make sense? I actually considered doing this a long time ago, but the mechanic at the dealership said not to, there was a reason that Jeep didnt offer the FT trans. case with manual trans. combination. It has problems. Can anyone confirm our discount this? Because I have always wanted to do this swap!

Well that would certainly suck :-(

Guest · **Posted:** Sat Sep 22, 2007 10:30 am

itsajeepthing wrote:

I've heard that you get some strange binding issues with the manual trans and full-time 4wd engaged, does this make sense? I actually considered doing this a long time ago, but the mechanic at the dealership said not to, there was a reason that Jeep didnt offer the FT trans. case with manual trans. combination. It has problems. Can anyone confirm our discount this? Because I have always wanted to do this swap!

I'm not sure how it would. If anything I'd guess that any binding would occur in PT4WD, because it is fully locked. FT4WD has a Limited Slip Differential, & doesen't lock up, so it's not likely to bind. Plus, why would it bind? A spinning output shaft is a spinning output shaft. Not everyone who tells you what they've heard has heard the correct info.

My guess is that Jeep's marketing group decided that the customer who bought a manual would not be likely to want to pay for Selec-trac. Most people opt for automatics, most people opt for Command-trac, so if only a few opt for manuals & only a few of those opt for Selec-trac, is it worth making them financially? In fact, I have seen a XJ with a manual & selec-trac. I wish I could have bought it!

itsajeepthing · **Posted:** Sat Sep 22, 2007 11:02 am

apparently the binding occurs directly between the transmission and the transfer case?? not at the wheels... again i don't know if these even makes sense mechanically, its just what the guy told me.

Transfer case swap 231 to 242

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