242 vs 242hd spline count conflicting posts

**drwolcot** · 01-26-2010, 03:43 PM

I have searching and have come up with some conflicting posts on the spline counts between the 242 and the 242hd. I know the "HD" TC comes out of the 02-03 GC with select-trac and everyone says it is HD because it has 32 spline count on the output shaft while the 99-01 V8 242 only has 27 splines. Also there is a tail cover for the 02-03's instead of a boot, is this correct? This leads me to my question: my 2000 242 transfer case has a 32 spline count along with the tail cover and not the boot, so are there some exceptions of the "HD" transfer case in earlier models? It could be kind of like how there were very few models in 2001 with H.O. engine that really most people didn't know about.

**TX-WJ** · 01-26-2010, 03:54 PM

What you describe (32 spline output with alum. tail cone covering the splined section) is in fact a 242 HD. Why on a 2000 (it says 2001 on your drop down menue BTW, may be you have a 2000 too? IDK) I'm not sure, but prolly a few V8s then were fitted with a 242?, or the previous owner swapped it out?

QuadraTokn · 01-26-2010, 03:58 PM

Someone or a dealer swapped the HD t-case into your jeep.

**drwolcot** · 01-26-2010, 03:58 PM

I just ordered the transfer case and the tag says it is from a 2000 and where I bought it from said is was a 2000.

QuadraTokn · 01-26-2010, 04:00 PM

Do you have a picture of it?

Either they're wrong, or they did take it out a 2000, but someone had swapped the HD into that Jeep.

As you mentioned with the HO engine in a 2001, there were a couple HDs in 2001, but I doubt as early as 2000.

**drwolcot** · 01-26-2010, 04:00 PM

Well, if its a 242HD, then all the better right? I had ordered a new rear drive shaft for from a 2000 model V8 242 and it had incorrect spline which got me questioning everything. I guess that means I will just have to get a drive shaft from a 02-03

QuadraTokn · 01-26-2010, 04:03 PM

Yea sounds like you need the 02-03 DS.

All the better.

**drwolcot** · 01-26-2010, 04:36 PM

I just got home from work and have some pictures. Sorry these came from my cell phone

**drwolcot** · 01-26-2010, 04:37 PM

the date in the bottom picture is 3/13/00 which I am assuming is the mfg date

**drwolcot** · 01-26-2010, 04:39 PM

oh, just remembered...... it doesn't have u-joints for the front shaft it has CV

**drwolcot** · 01-27-2010, 07:48 AM

This morning I searched up the VIN number that the case supposedly came out of and it does come from a 2000 wj. Laredo with V8 which should have the select-trac

QuadraTokn · 02-04-2010, 05:07 PM

Thats the 242HD tail housing for sure

**drwolcot** · 02-04-2010, 05:15 PM

So basically I have a rare 242HD from a 2000 cause its clearly marked as made then. I have the part manual for the 2000 grand and it shows both style cases. I will have to get a pic up soon from the manual

Apollo21 · 02-04-2010, 07:29 PM

there was a grand for sale by me (PA) it was a 2001 they guy ordered it direct from the factory. he claimed that he had to all this special stuff to get them to give him a 242 (HD?) with the 4.7HO. he did a custom order i almost bought it but i had just got my overland. so maybe this is a special order like that one?

**drwolcot** · 02-04-2010, 08:06 PM

In the part manual for year 2000 it shows what appears to be the "HD" transfer case. The part # on the case is the same one that shows up for the V8 option (EVO code, 6 cylinder is ERO) and there are only 2 cases; one for the inline 6 and one for the V8. I would assume that there would be 2 cases for the V8 cause most people have have the one with the boot covering the output of the driveshaft. Here are some pics from the 2000 part manual