[cirame1]

Originally Posted by sandman

linkage=fine
just dont use the shift tab from the 249, use the shift tab from the 242.
shift tab=tab that bolts to the t-case that connects to the shift linkage

gotcha i seen the dif. tab earlier in this thread thanx.

[Eldoradoman]

Well, got the 242 out with minimal effort, other than breaking the weld on one of the nutcerts on the crossmember and cursing lots while doing that top bolt.
Didn't have any time to finish the swap but now I know what I'm up against and am very confident, can't wait! It's good I didn't rush it though as I need to drive long distance on Tuesday anyway with the 5.9.

I would rate this as a 3 out of 10 difficulty (just removing the TC), dropping the crossmember helped A LOT but I should have soaked those bolts better in PB blaster.

[cirame1]

got the 242 out? rnt u swappin in a 242? havnt read previous pages in a few days but im assuming ur pullin ur 249? and if ur puttin a 242 in wats it out of out of curiosity? i just picked up a 242 out of a 98 zj with low miles

[Eldoradoman]

Originally Posted by cirame1

got the 242 out? rnt u swappin in a 242? havnt read previous pages in a few days but im assuming ur pullin ur 249? and if ur puttin a 242 in wats it out of out of curiosity? i just picked up a 242 out of a 98 zj with low miles

The 242 I took out is from my 98 Laredo, and I'm swapping it with the 249 that's in my 5.9. It looks like a direct swap, my 242 doesn't have the tail cone either so it should be super easy, can't wait till my next day off, rain or shine damnit it's getting done!

[Izzy]

Are you using a right angle box end wrench on the top bolt? That helped me a ton. I figured that one out after I snapped the first wrench in half and just about snapped my wrist in the process...

[Eldoradoman]

Originally Posted by Izzy

Are you using a right angle box end wrench on the top bolt? That helped me a ton. I figured that one out after I snapped the first wrench in half and just about snapped my wrist in the process...

no, i just used a stubby, maybe I'll borrow my buddy's right angled for the install, thanks for the tip!

[cirame1]

Originally Posted by Eldoradoman

The 242 I took out is from my 98 Laredo, and I'm swapping it with the 249 that's in my 5.9. It looks like a direct swap, my 242 doesn't have the tail cone either so it should be super easy, can't wait till my next day off, rain or shine damnit it's getting done!

my 242 is out of a 98 laredo also... heard its a direct swap good luck im starting mine tom. also

[IronMaiden]

That top passenger side bolt is a real PITA.

I am doing mine as well. I found that if you let the back of the tranny down with a floor jack pretty far, it'll give you some more room to get a short wrench on it.

I wonder if pulling the center console and shifter would let you get at it from the top with a socket and extension? It looks like it would.

I'll let you know if you can access it from the top here shortly. I'm pulling my seats and console to put some junkyard "new" carpeting in.

[01GS]

The swap took about 4 hrs total (5 with the wire swap behind the display) but I didn't have to change the input shaft. The top nut needs a short wrench for sure or you will get frustrated turning it so little at a time while your arms start burning. I put in a 242 from a 98XJ with the exposed tailshaft which replaced my 98 249 with tailcone and I HAD to shorten the driveshaft at stock height. I'm sure if I had a suspension lift this likely wouldn't be the case. The shaft travel would bottom out at the TC splines on any little bump with stock length. I had it shortened 1.75" and now it's perfect. The u-joints were worn out anyway so I had them do those too. Cost was $100 out the door. I'm using the stock 5.9 shifter and gate with just the select trac bezel and it works perfect. You can feel the positions in the TC so the XJ shifter gate isn't necessary.

[gbauer]

Originally Posted by Eldoradoman

I would rate this as a 3 out of 10 difficulty (just removing the TC), dropping the crossmember helped A LOT but I should have soaked those bolts better in PB blaster.

Mine was WAY worse than 3/10.

I had the two top most bolts on the old TC strip, had to swap the input shafts (luckily the old one was the only part not destroyed on my 247), had to shorten the rear drive shaft and swap ends, and still need to replace my front drive shaft.

Of course yours didn't look like this when you started either...




It was already half-out when I started...

[auditaki]

Just completed the swap on my "new to me" '98 using a '96 242. Had done this once before on a '93 using an '89 XJ TC which required a lot more work than this time around. Took my time, cleaned the 242 up nicely, replaced rear trans seal, 242 input/output seals and the trans mount. Had to use 249 speed sensor. Shortened rear driveshaft by 1" which gives me 1.5" of travel on output shaft. Biggest problem was taking out the old TC and installing the new TC alone without a trans jack. The TCs are HEAVY!!!

All this complex work and you know what issue I have now? How the **** do you remove the VIC? The 4 screws on the '98 do not even let me budge the VIC. Which other screws am I missing!!!!! The "service 4wd switch" comes on so going to swap out the switch with the 249 switch and then swap the connector behind the VIC (if I can figure out how to remove the VIC).

Thanks to the JeepForum for years of Jeeping.

[JrMechanic]

I don't see why everyone has a big problem with the top passenger side bolt. I've done this several times and I have no problem getting at it with my 9/16" full length ratchet wrench.

I think people are too afraid to lower the drive train down enough to access it. Pry the transfer case linkage away from the mount on the trans tunnel, and lower it down as much as you please.

[auditaki]

Worked for me too. Short 9/16 wrench fit inside the tunnel once the trans was lowered on a jack with a piece of 2x4 under the trans pan.

Now how do I take the VIC out?

[ShantasticZJ]

You can unbolt the transmission shifter plate and access the top bolts for the tc, that's how we got the 96 242 out today at the junkyard. It's bolted down and then sealed, so you have to pop it free. (Screwdriver works!) You will have to pretty much pull your carpet out to do it that way. Since we were at the JY we ended up cutting the carpet out of the way.

[PlatinumNiner]

Easy swap ...