242 vs 231

[OrangeXJ]

Which one do you think is stronger? Reason I ask is ever since I put the F/R lockers in I've been through 2 tc chains in less than a year. I have a 242 and friends of mine with F/R lockers larger tires than I have running the 231 have no chain problems.

[Mudderoy]

Which one do you think is stronger? Reason I ask is ever since I put thr F/R lockers in I've been through 2 tc chains in less than a year. I have a 242 and friends of mine with F/R lockers larger tires than I have running the 231 have no chain problems.

I've been told and read numerous times that the 231 is slightly stronger than the 232. I am about to put my 3rd chain in my 242. I had a small leak and I think the other contributing factor is the worn gears. So this time I am putting in a drive gear, a driven gear and a new chain.

If this is an off road only rig, then I'd put a 231 in it.

[OrangeXJ]

I'm leaning towards switching to a 231 due to the fact I only use 2WD or 4LO

[Mudderoy]

I'm leaning towards switching to a 231 due to the fact I only use 2WD or 4LO

If it ever rains here again (hey it's raining now) I use the full time 4x4 when ever it's wet outside.

[OrangeXJ]

If it ever rains here again (hey it's raining now) I use the full time 4x4 when ever it's wet outside.

Keep in mind yours is a DD mines not. Send the rain my way :spongebob:

[XJ4IV]

Greg I WILL say this... Ihave had three cherokees and of those one of them STARTED with a 231 the one I have NOW started with a 242 in it and when I first got it the chain was strectched... thus why I got a deal on the whole jeep, I wheeled it a few nights and was so embarrased that I decided to just swap the chain out on it from a junkyard on... later i found out that I got SERIOUSLY lucky with a junkyard chain as usually those are wasted as well.
this past winter my jeep was giving me problems of which I thought were tranny problems but it turned out to be a t-case issue so matt offered me a killer deal swap my broke 242 for a good 231... no brainer
NOW on to WHY I wanted the 231
"they say" the 231 is stronger
the clearance level is higher by almost 3 inches
aftermarket stuff is MUCH easier to come by like SYE kits and terra low kits
and since mine is locked up front the AWD aspect was no longer needed since it would do nothing but chew my front tires and go through wheel bearings like hot butter
plus finding used parts on forums is easier as well...
those are my.02

[DETOURS]

The 231 is the better of the two.;)

[XJ4IV]

If it ever rains here again (hey it's raining now) I use the full time 4x4 when ever it's wet outside.

you cant on pavement with a locker

[OrangeXJ]

I have found a rebuilt 231 with a 1 year warrenty for 550.00 is this a good deal?

[Mudderoy]

you cant on pavement with a locker

Yes you can. You have to run a selectable locker up front. :spongebob:

[4.3LXJ]

Here is the thing. The 242 has full time 4WD which people use. When that happens, the chain will eventually stretch. Then if the chain is replaced, they almost never change the sprockets that drive it. So the chain stretches very quickly on sprockets that have worn in for a stretched chain, changing the pitch on the sprocket. You have to replace the sprocket with the chain, then they will last. But personally I prefer the 232 for simplicity and for another problem, the fluid coupling which goes bad with age.

[ike]

i ran found a 231 on fle-bay for $30. + shipping.
total with shipping was under $100.00.
pulled it apart, chain and all was good. added an aa sye and all is good.
got a 231 shifter out of jy $10.

ck around you might find 1 for less, they're easy to rebuild.

and there is a place to get up graded parts fer cheep too...http://myworld.ebay.com/powertrainpartsplus/&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2754

so look around

[OrangeXJ]

Thanks for the info guys

[Mudderoy]

You local guys let me know if you run across a late model NP242. I want to change the NP231 to a NP242 in the 1999. :D

[XJ4IV]

matt has my old one... the only difference between mine is a tail CONE VS a tail BOOT I have the later model plug I bet he's sell it REALLY cheap and all it needs is a new shift collar inside and since your speaking of buying new parts... well there you go... but 242 parts at junkyards are really cheap and easy to find

[XJ4IV]

I have found a rebuilt 231 with a 1 year warrenty for 550.00 is this a good deal?

no honestly go to pick a part and snag one out there... a rebuild really doesnt consist of anything but three new seals one of which almost NEVER fails and the other two are about 15$ EACH and a new chain which is about 120 if you go to pick a part off loop 610 the case is $75 and the chance of it being in good running condition is pretty good if it looks like a 4x4 which hardly EVER was used in 4wd

[prcjeep]

I dont think matt has your old 231 with cone... I think it now sits under my Green Jeep :)

[bluedragon436]

I like my 231.. I plan on replacing the chain with a wider chain, as well as going to a 6 gear planetary.. all of which can be found pretty cheap on E-bay. I found a guy for less than $200 I can get all those parts shipped to me, so I can upgrade my 231. I had a friend of mine that was running a 242, and he started having issues with the chain, replaced it and the gears.. and worked fine for a year or so and started acting stupid.. so he swapped into a 231, upgraded the parts that I mentioned and has had no further issues out of the TC.. and he runs a selectable locker front and rear.. and does quite a bit of hard wheeling (well as close to hard wheeling as we can get up here)..

[LizardRunner]

I have the 231 and am happy as a tornado in a trailer park with it. I know a few with the 242 that take them off road and they have told me they would rather have the 231 even though it doesn't have full time capability.

[xj4life2]

I have the 242 myself and have had good luck with it , however for heavy off road use I would go with the 231 or swap in a 300

[xjrev10]

I have found a rebuilt 231 with a 1 year warrenty for 550.00 is this a good deal?

I bought one for the warranty and piece of mind..

[bluedragon436]

nothing at all wrong with peace of mind.. especially when it comes to your running gear.. I like the 231 the most because there is so much aftermarket support too.. the more I look into budget mods for me to use in the build up of my XJ.. I see that there is quite a bit of budget mods, and support out there.. which helps broke pocketed people like me!!

[mjs302]

........
the clearance level is higher by almost 3 inches
My NP242 is only about 3/4 inch closer to the ground then my buddy's NP231. Don't know why you say 3 inches.



........aftermarket stuff is MUCH easier to come by like SYE kits and terra low kits
and since mine is locked up front the AWD aspect was no longer needed since it would do nothing but chew my front tires and go through wheel bearings like hot butter
plus finding used parts on forums is easier as well...
those are my.02
I will definately agree on upgrade parts availability for the NP242 vs the NP231.

[mjs302]

Here is the thing. The 242 has full time 4WD which people use. When that happens, the chain will eventually stretch. Then if the chain is replaced, they almost never change the sprockets that drive it. So the chain stretches very quickly on sprockets that have worn in for a stretched chain, changing the pitch on the sprocket. You have to replace the sprocket with the chain, then they will last. But personally I prefer the 232 for simplicity and for another problem, the fluid coupling which goes bad with age.

XJ NP242's have a gear differential, not a fluid coupler. I believe you're thinking of the NP249's from the Grand Cherokees.

[Mudderoy]

My NP242 is only about 3/4 inch closer to the ground then my buddy's NP231. Don't know why you say 3 inches.



I will definately agree on upgrade parts availability for the NP242 vs the NP231.

lol he's a hater. Yeah it isn't 3 inches on mine either.