Selec-Trac Advantages

[casm]

Hey Casm! While I agree with your opinion (and Spideys) on the Select-Trac, you gotta learn to play well with others on the threads! Let's be nice! Why so grumpy?

You know, I really do owe Spidey an apology for jumping on him like that. Not that this is an excuse, but I'm settling into a new job and finding that there are a number of things that need attention. This has translated out into a serious lack of sleep over the last couple of weeks, and both my judgement and temper go to crap when I can't sleep.

Again, not an excuse by any means, and I do extend my apologies to him.

 

[Blaine B.]

Werk suxs......be a stay at home dad.

 

[Flyfisher]

I know this one has been goingn for a while....but I can't resist offering my agreement with the 242 lovers here.

I have an '89 XJ (Wagoneer LTD) and wouldn't trade its 242 for a 231. Something that hasn't been mentioned is wheel-skidding on icy/snowy roads. In town, when cornering at an intersection in 4wd, a 231 FORCES a wheel or two to slide (they don't hop due to slippery street surfaces). As anyone with any experience will tell you, the last thing you want when driving on snow/ice is for a wheel to break traction and slide...even a little! This is a situation where the 242 excells...avoiding the wheel slip while still providing 4wd.

Regarding strength...I'm running 33" BFG's with 3-1/2" of lift...never had a problem and my 242 has 270,000 original miles on it. Even used it for some long haul boat towing (Montana to Lake Powell in Utah) without a problem.

Just my $0.02.

 

[h_hezzah]

I've just got a '99 XJ with a 242 Transfer case!
I drove 4WD before but they all had no Full time position, so I knew when to use each position.

Now that Full time makes me confused> When should I use each of them?
As far as I know 2WD for normal Highway driving (why not 4FT?), and 4FT for slippery roads (ie. Rainy or muddy) and 4PT when going off road in sand (why not 4FT since it it 4WD too?).

So could anybody give me a clue so I can use this new Full time position better?

 

[XJPhoenix]

The 4 full-time should be used on-road, when it's slippery out and you may need extra traction. It allows slippage between front and rear axles, so there's no driveline bind.

The part-time option should be used only in really slippery stuff. Deep snow, mud, or off-road in general. (Not on rock, that's kinda like pavement.) When in PT mode there's no slippage, and torque is divided evenly between front & rear axles in a 50/50 split.

 

[87manche]

Depends on which 242 you get. If you get an early 21 spline, then yes.

I have mine bolted to an AX15. I had to buy a new input gear from Jeep to change it to 23 spline to do it, but that was cheaper than buying a new tcase since I was doing a 4wd conversion and the case was given to me for free.

Later,
Joe

easiest place to find a 21 spline 242 is going to be an 87-90 AW4 limited.
it *should* bolt up. But there were some difference in the output length between the aw4 and the puke goat.
worst case you need an input gear

 

[Flyfisher]

While I generally agree with XJPhoenix...his comment about not using part time in rock is mis-leading. Usually, when I'm on rocks, I'm in low range, and part-time is the only option when in low range. While it might bind a little when turning tightly, in low range and at low speeds, it shouldn't hurt much.

 

[XJPhoenix]

Take it from the source; I've not been in rock, mostly muddy trails and grass. Flyfisher has experience I don't. I was worried about it having the same traction as pavement, and err on the side of caution.