ZJ 242 to 231 swap

[waynehartwig]

I have a customer with a 95 ZJ, stroker 4.6l, APS 42RE tranny, 4.10's, 8.8, 5" Clayton long arm... This truck is used mostly for towing and driving on the streets. He does some gold digging, so it does make its trips across the desert and what not.

He's also doing a lot of other mods at the same time, but he's seriously considering doing a 231 swap as well.

What all is involved? Is it simply swap the TC's, bolt everything up and go? Or is there more to it than that? Also, anyone have a good 231 TC for sale?

 

[chadschoon]

my buddy did this and all he had to do was change out TC Pm him he has a 231 he is TremorGTO

 

[Brett]

On some, you do need to change the input gear on the T case...just depends, as Jeep never used the same thing in one jeep to the next.

 

[mbryson]

Just curious. If the 242 is working well, why change it out? I know quite a few people that have run the 242 pretty hard (I had one in my XJ) and I've not heard of a failure over what a 231 gives you. If the vicous coupler is shot, I'd definitely change it rather than repair it ($$$$), but I don't think you get a big jump in strength going from a 231 to a 242.

That said, I think you'll need to ensure the donor 231 has a 23 spline (?) input (same as the 242 you're replacing--could be 21 spline, but I thought that was earlier Cherokees) and bolt it up. I don't think there are even any driveline mods if you're doing it on a stock type rig (which this is obviously not).

 

[waynehartwig]

On some, you do need to change the input gear on the T case...just depends, as Jeep never used the same thing in one jeep to the next.

Input gear or shaft? If shaft, don't they make two styles 19 and 21 spline? Or something like that...

But taking care of that, does the TC bolt right up to the 42RE? As well as everything else up to the 231? No special brackets or etc?

 

[waynehartwig]

Just curious. If the 242 is working well, why change it out? I know quite a few people that have run the 242 pretty hard (I had one in my XJ) and I've not heard of a failure over what a 231 gives you. If the vicous coupler is shot, I'd definitely change it rather than repair it ($$$$), but I don't think you get a big jump in strength going from a 231 to a 242.

That said, I think you'll need to ensure the donor 231 has a 23 spline (?) input (same as the 242 you're replacing--could be 21 spline, but I thought that was earlier Cherokees) and bolt it up. I don't think there are even any driveline mods if you're doing it on a stock type rig (which this is obviously not).

It's a customers project, but I'll pass all of this info on to him and he can make the decision. Isn't the 231 shorter than a 242 (longer driveline). He was told from someone else it was... I've never measured the two, so I have no idea. But I'm pretty sure if there is no strength gains and same driveline will work on both, I think he would keep the 242 as he does like the full time 4wd. He just doesn't want to end up putting more money in it down the road - do everything now and do it all right, kind of thing.

Any way to tell if the coupler is about to go? Maybe he can inspect it and make a better determination then...

Currently the ZJ is pretty stock, other than a 4.5" RE/JKS short arm lift. He's in the process of putting a lot of money in it to completely rebuild the entire drivetrain and suspension. Oh, and replace the D35 with a 8.8.

 

[mbryson]

.......He just doesn't want to end up putting more money in it down the road - do everything now and do it all right, kind of thing.........

I wouldn't put a 231 in it if that's his philosophy. He's not getting much if anything.

 

[waynehartwig]

I wouldn't put a 231 in it if that's his philosophy. He's not getting much if anything.

Good to know! Like I said, I will pass all of this on to him. I think he'll be refreshed to know that he doesn't need to mess with it.

 

[DaveB]

The 231 main shaft is larger than the 242 main shaft and it is easier to get parts for a slip yoke eliminator on the 231. As long as the spline count matches the swap is very easy.

 

[waynehartwig]

The 231 main shaft is larger than the 242 main shaft and it is easier to get parts for a slip yoke eliminator on the 231. As long as the spline count matches the swap is very easy.

Tom Woods has a SYE for a 242, so I don't think it will be too much of a problem, there... Right?

 

[DaveB]

Tom Woods has a SYE for a 242, so I don't think it will be too much of a problem, there... Right?

Yes you can get them from Tom but the 231 SYE has more suppliers and the shaft is stronger. I haven't heard of anyone having problems with the 242 shafts however.

 

[waynehartwig]

Yes you can get them from Tom but the 231 SYE has more suppliers and the shaft is stronger. I haven't heard of anyone having problems with the 242 shafts however.

True....

The guy that is thinking about this swap has been watching the thread and likes all of the diferent opinions and thoughts.... So keep it up!

 

[jeepin4x4james]

Have you looked at mallcrawlin.com ???

Great site for Grands....Full write up on the swap your customer wants to do...

 

[waynehartwig]

Have you looked at mallcrawlin.com ???

Great site for Grands....Full write up on the swap your customer wants to do...

I haven't... I'll send him this link though! Thanks!!

 

[TORGENG]

www.nagca.com is another good resource for grands.