Best Years for XJ's around $4000?

[casm]

Watch the xfer cases, the 242 is a good case, but if you're planning on lifting it, SYE's for the 242 are pricey.

Disagreed. More:

You can do a hack-n-tap, but the 231 case enjoys better aftermarket support.

While it's certainly true that the 231 has better support, there's nothing wrong with a Hack & Tap - and as a 242 owner, I've noticed that the H&T is typically cheaper than its 231 cousins. No shaft replacement, etc. necessary.

And speaking from experience owning both a 231 and 242, I wouldn't trade 4FT for anything.