Urgent 242 Swap Help Needed.. Rear Driveshaft Issue

UofOJeeper · 08-11-2008, 12:33 PM

Facts:
Recently purchased a '98 Grand Cherokee V8 with Quadra-Trac (bad VC)
Dana 30 & 44a with 3.73, Trailer tow group, but no Limited Slip.
Bought a 242 out of a '97 Grand Cherokee 4.0L with 100k

Problem:
I originally planned to do this swap on my own, but the transmission shop affiliated with the dealership I work at said they would do the swap for $175. I decided saving $175 wasn't worth my time or frustration. I dropped the car off this morning knowing they had never done a 242/249 swap. The shop called and said the 242 I bought wouldn't work because the output shaft is different then on my 249. Apparently, my current set up is a slip yoke rear driveshaft that slides into some sort of extension housing. The 242 I bought does not, and even if the spline count was the same, the drive shaft wouldn't be protected from the elements/water.

Potential Solutions:
Do i need a different transfer case? Do i need a different rear drive shaft?

The shop thought that the rear output shafts cannot be swapped (i am aware of the swap on input shafts...).

Any thoughts/suggestions are much appreciated!

nierace · 08-11-2008, 12:40 PM

Um the 242 has the same rear output as the 249. Maybe the one you grabbed is busted, but you should have the same housing to slide the slip yoke into.

UofOJeeper · 08-11-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nierace

Um the 242 has the same rear output as the 249. Maybe the one you grabbed is busted, but you should have the same housing to slide the slip yoke into.

if i do have a busted rear housing, can the two be swapped? basically my 242 has a male shaft coming out of it with splines on it. nothing more. does that mean its broken?

nierace · 08-11-2008, 01:02 PM

I think you just need this boot:

The newer ones have a housing like this instead of just the little boot:

But I bet you just need that boot.

UofOJeeper · 08-11-2008, 01:21 PM

ooohh that boot looks like what I am missing!

UofOJeeper · 08-12-2008, 01:56 PM

BUMP for some additional help!

Has anyone ever done a swap using the 242 T/C that has a boot?? I would like to find a 242 that has the extended cone housing, but I am having a difficult time. The shop I am using is concerned that the 242 with the boot won't work properly with my current set up. Any thoughts???

UofOJeeper · 08-12-2008, 02:10 PM

would anyone with a FSM be kind enough to scan pictures of how the driveshaft connects to the output shaft of both the 242 and 249?? thanks in advance!!

emcneil · 08-12-2008, 02:16 PM

The drive shaft slides onto the output shaft of both. Then connect the shaft to the rear yoke. I hope you have enough room to reinstall the drive shaft. I BARELY did.

UofOJeeper · 08-12-2008, 02:22 PM

their concern is that the drive shaft isn't protected enough on just that one shaft without the housing.

correct me if i am wrong, all we need, is to slide drive shaft over the output shaft and place the boot over the joint to project the joint from the elements??

emcneil · 08-12-2008, 02:28 PM

Correct. Grease the splines. Boot goes on first and two band clamps that crimp tight go on.

UofOJeeper · 08-12-2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emcneil

Correct. Grease the splines. Boot goes on first and two band clamps that crimp tight go on.

is that how yours is set up?? if so, how long has it been like that, and have you had any problems?

emcneil · 08-12-2008, 02:45 PM

I swapped my 242 in on New Year's Day. Mine is set up just like that. My drive shaft barely fit back in. I bought adjustable rear control arms and backed the rear end off about 5/8". This gave me about 1 1/4" of shaft slip and partially recentered the tires compared to the wheel wells (they were much closer to the front of the wheel wells). I haven't had any problems, but haven't thrashed it off road either.

UofOJeeper · 08-12-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emcneil

I swapped my 242 in on New Year's Day. Mine is set up just like that. My drive shaft barely fit back in. I bought adjustable rear control arms and backed the rear end off about 5/8". This gave me about 1 1/4" of shaft slip and partially recentered the tires compared to the wheel wells (they were much closer to the front of the wheel wells). I haven't had any problems, but haven't thrashed it off road either.

Thanks for the info! I just ordered a boot + clamps and they should be here tomorrow! Hoping to have the 242 installed and buttoned up by tomorrow evening!