Jeep T case help

[Bamfster]

So I'm starting to look for parts for a t case swap. The victim is a 98 jeep grand cherokee with the dreaded 249 t case. trans is the 42re. I want to swap in a 242 t case, and I found one out of a 97 GC. Does anyone know if this will be a direct swap? I've googled it till I can't see straight, and all I come up with is how to swap the input shafts ... where are the jeep/mopar guru's?

[tardis454]

231, 242, and 249's are not exactly the same but they share similar dimensions and hard parts. If you're using a 242 out of a ZJ then get the driveshafts to go with it. If you're using a 242 out of an XJ the front driveshaft 'should' interchange, but the rear may have to be cut and refitted.

A guy on Jeep Forum did a write up a while back on the 249-242 swap. He covers all of the bases on what's needed to do it...
https://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f13/...-np242-685644/

The most popular swap I've seen for ZJ's, YJ's & TJ's when I worked in auto salvage was swapping an AW4 in place of 42/44R's in ZJ's and 32R's in YJ's & TJ's. The AW4 trans computer and wiring are required to make it work. 42RE to AW4 Swap: https://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f13/...dii-zj-382739/

[Bamfster]

So if I'm understanding that write up correctly, all I will need to make the 242 work is the rear drive shaft from the 97?

[tardis454]

So if I'm understanding that write up correctly, all I will need to make the 242 work is the rear drive shaft from the 97?

The 249 front shaft will probably work but it uses a CV joint at the axle and u-joint at the case. 242 front shafts use u-joints at the axle and a u-joints the case. The CV's at the axle go bad and the only place I know of that can repair them is a driveshaft shop. This is why I suggest getting both driveshafts. It keeps the swap simple (no cutting), and if you ever have to replace front driveshaft universals you can buy them off the shelf.

[Bamfster]

Ok, so I was able to pick up both complete shafts off of craigs for $75.

[Bamfster]

So for a grand total of $163, I was able to pick up a 242 tcase, both front and rear drive shafts and a shifter bezel for the 242. Are these things/parts/etc really this inexpensive? or did I find a decent deal? A local jeep shop wanted $250 for a used 249 ... and only give a 30 day warranty. A rebuilt coupler for a 249 is 400 alone ....

[STINEY]

Off-roading.......as expensive or cheap as you want it to be, lol. You did good.

[tardis454]

242's are still fairly plentiful, and yes you did real good on the total cost.

[Bamfster]

I was really expecting to spend close to 500 on this thing .... wow