This is the most useful thread I've seen on the 242. Thank you.
After weeks of reading through forum posts (some over 50 pages!), I still don't have an answer to a basic question, but I feel like the author of this thread would know.
You will sometimes find people saying the V8-WJ version 242HD (long input shaft, 32 spline output yada yada) "ONLY" came in 02-03 WJ's with a V-8. Some of us know this is not true. Some of us also know that the ID tags have said many different things, and not always "HD", yet they still have the 32-spline long tailcone.
I bought a "242 WJ", from a 2000 V-8 WJ (seen with my own eyes). It has all the characteristics of a v-8 WJ HD version. The only noticeable difference in the front output CV flange, instead of later yoke versions (obviously easily changed, as is common on the 247).
My question for someone more knowledgable is why are people saying "only" found in an 02-03? Is this earlier HD, 32 spline version different in any other way (that makes a performance difference) besides the front driveshaft yoke?
As in, perhaps it's not a 1.25" chain? perhaps something different?
Again, I don't care about different front yokes, different electrical connectors, or speedos; I've searched for a month to no avail why people say ONLY from an 02-03, so I'm trying to figure out if this "242 WJ" case from a 2000 (manufactured 11/23/1999) is inferior to the 02-03's in any structural/internal way?