NP249 to NP242 swap- beware

Beware of the WJ NP242J or HD T-Case if used in anything but a dedicated off-road vehicle, it took us the NP249, NP242J from aWJ and a NP242 from a ZJ just to make one good T-Case, the reasoning for that is we didn’t know the WJ case would have this many issues for a swap, which is why I made this video to warn other people of the WJ T-Case

[@TheMrREVOlutionary]

A 242 sye would have fixed most of your issues. They come with the output housing and shaft that has provisions for speedo drive and since most guys are doing custom driveshafts anyways, it's no big deal. Better end result anyways. ZJ driveshafts with the 242 originally will work because they are specific to the 242 t case. There are companies that make WJ spec or rezipa style u-joint yokes for that transfer case as well using a standard 1310 joint. So the only real hurdle is the range selector switch. Pretty simple if you ask me because wj 242's are literally everywhere. Much easier to find where I'm at. Currently running the 249 but it needs bearings and the coupler is acting up so I will likely need to rebuild or swap relatively soon

[@davidwellington4186]

Same issues with the KJ/ Liberty 242, plus the rear o /p shaft is slightly larger diameter

[@jeepinjack4196]

Good to know

[@Tascoize]

ZJ 242 or XJ 242 or Dakota 242 or Ram 1500 242 swap for a 247/249 the 1999-2004 WJ had upgrades but the ?-1998 242 swap the planetary gear from yours and bold it in done it so many times just watch your lift cause it can mean you need to change the drive shaft most of the time you wont. You took something so easy and made it so hard.

[@krebgurfson5732]

why is 242 such a unicorn? how is it possible that 0 trucks have the AWD capability ofa transfer case from the 80s 90s. unbelievable

[@JacobEcret]

Technically I don’t think you need the Speedo sensor, the wheel sensors get the data. I believe I read that somewhere, where they used a wj, and no consequences

[@nuanenfreohr]

It’s soooo clean

[@jeepinjack4196]

It’s a good looking case

[@coachgeo]

Am going to put a 2004 Grand Cherokee NP242-J into a TJ with a diesel transplant. question on the Rzeppa. is the 2004 era going to have the same issue when swapping it to my 231's front driveshaft yoke? Your vid is the first time have read/heard this may be an issue. appreciate in advance the reply.

[@jeepinjack4196]

More then likely yes, optimally swiping the front output shaft gear with yoke shaft would be the easiest way to do that and you shouldn’t have to change out the front driveshaft I don’t think. Now you will probably still have the same issue with the wheel speed sensor on the back housing that I had; and for the gear select sensor that’s for you to decide if you want to make it work. It is not required for function of the T-case for it to work but the light won’t show up on your dash cluster that it’s in 4wd

[@jeepinjack4196]

Another commenter made a good point also about using a 242 SYE and just getting a new front driveshaft $$$

[@jesseperez7253]

Thank You for the great content. QUESTION. Can I flat tow behind my motorhome ( 4 wheels on ground) a 96 ZJ with the 249 transfer case? I tested by putting transfer case in neutral and transmission in park and zj moves freely forward and reverse as I push it. Ssme thing happens if transfer case is in neutral and transmission in neutral, I wonder what's safer. Please someone with experience on this reply. I have a trip coming soon and need to know.
For my towing points I'm good. Jeep has a heavy duty winch mount with d rings and it's sandwiched over the unibody frame.. (1996 5.2 V8 with full time 4wd 249 transfer case, automatic transmission)

[@jeepinjack4196]

I recommend joining a good ZJ Facebook group and asking that, there’s a lot of people on there that have done a little bit of everything, I recommend going on there and asking and you should be able to put the Tcase in neutral and do that, test it out in the neighborhood and see how it works too so in case something goes wrong your not far from home.

[@jesseperez7253]

@@jeepinjack4196 ty sr

[@JacobEcret]

I recommend no. Although your axles are disconnected I believe the transmission still spins but pump isn’t pumping fluid burning up the transmission. Don’t quote me do some more research on that.

[@Lray4x4]

You can flat tow with the transfer case in neutral and the transmission in park, says right in the owners manual.

[@flynbvr]

I have a 242 on ZJ but have been running without the selector plugged in since the ZJ needs a 4 prong. Unfortunately I dont have a lathe... would you be willing to make/sell me a selector spacer?

[@jeepinjack4196]

I would make you a spacer and send it to you. However I will be out of state until the first week of December. Since we did away with the Vehicle Information Center (aka) VIC and replaced it with the "cubby" the selector switch mod is not necessary . The "VIC" is a common problem and having the little extra storage space in a lot better I think. If I were to do it again I would just use the switch that came with the case just to seal off the hole so it wouldn't leak and not worry about connecting it. If I don't forget I'll replay back to you here when I can get back to the shop. Thanks!

[@imhann98]

Couldn't you just use the output shaft w/ speedo gear, oil catch cover, and speedo sensor from the 249 in the the 242? Basically making a hybrid of the two cases

[@jeepinjack4196]

Yes but when I was dissembling my 249 that part of the case cracked

[@jeepinjack4196]

And is is already a hybrid case too. Now in theory you could take that part of the 249 and make a 242HD if you could get your hands on the correct planetary gear and chain

[@onepunchtyler]

I can‘t find Bryan an his stuff on eBay. Do you might have a link?

[@jeepinjack4196]

What exactly are you asking about?