So, I've finally decided to look into a ZJ to replace my vanagon syncro, montero & FSJ Wagoneer. I have been thinking about a V8 limited with all the nice stuff ... leather etc... but I want the Selec-Trac (242) transfer case or the command-trac (231) case, not the Quadra-Trac (249) case. The problem is that almost every one I see has the quadra trac case. Was it that the higher end models weren't fitted with the fancier cases? or was it just a case of lazy, rich (hehe) jeep buyers that didn't give a hoot about what they got in there? Does anyone know a source that may have production numbers & what proportion of these vehicles had what engine/transfer case combinations?
thank you for your time,
Harry

Keep in mind that most people who buy the high-end SUV's rarely, if ever, take them off-road. So hey are typically equipped with stuff that isn't necessarily what an off-roader would choose.

You should be able to have your local dealer do a dealer search and find what you want at a distant dealership, and the local one can have the one you want transferred to his dealership for sale to you.

Some 93 ZJ's had 231's (VERY rare)
93-98 4.0L have 242's
93-98 5.2L have 249's
98 5.9L have 249's

Most people that swap out their 249's have done so for 242's if they want to keep the all wheel drive option, if you don't really care then you can just go with the 231 as those are easier to find. Quick word of advice on doing t-case swaps, as it is not as straight forward as it might seem. Jeep's t-cases (249's, 242's & 231's) come with a variety of input shaft lenths (1.55", 0.84" & 0.75" IIRC) and you have to match up what your case is to the new case you're getting, the only thing is that there is really no way to tell how long of an input shaft is on your t-case until you remove it and measure. If you're handy you can just tear apart both cases and remove the input shaft from your original case and put it in your new case if the sizes don't match up and you're good to go. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to what size Jeep used on their cases but it is more likely that you'll find a match if you get a t-case from the same year as your Jeep, and an even higher probability if you get one from the same year and from another ZJ. Also beware of the 21 Spline input shaft 231 case, as the ZJ only uses 23 spline cases. HTH <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Fred R.

Thank you. I would then like to know, what was the first year the 249 had a locking 4Lo in the ZJ? I have heard conflicting stories. I intend to pull my boat with this rig (16' runabout) so I am probably stuck with the V8 option.
Thanks again,
Harry

96-98's 249's have an actual locked 4LOW, 93-95 249's still used the VC (viscous coupler) when shifted into 4LOW so it's not really locked. The VC's on all of these 249 cases usually last about 100K so depending on the mileage on your vehicle you might or might not have some life left in the case, and if the VC goes out it can be expensive ~$600-$1000 to replace, so in those circumstances a t-case swap is a "cheaper" alternative. A good test at seeing if the VC is going out on a Jeep is driving it for about 20-30 mins to get it to operating temp, then in a parking lot do a series of "8" maneuvers. If the jeep can idle through the series of "8's" then you are good to go, but if the steering feels like it's binding or it feels like it's lurching forward or "hopping" forward or you have to give it gas to make the turns then the VC is on it's last legs... Hope this helps <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />.

Fred R.