Transmission Removal:    • Jeep Cherokee - Transmission Removal ...  

Operation 242: Complete
2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ Sport.
I have decided to upgrade my NP231 Command-Trac Part Time transfer case to an NP242 Selec-Trac Full Time transfer case. I have spent hours gathering research on ancient forums from 2007 and have compiled it all here.

YOU NEED:
-An NP242 Transfer Case from your year or spline count
-The NP242's Shift Linkage, or an aftermarket one: https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Cher...
-The NP242's Shaft Gate and Bezel
-The NP242's Indicator Sensor pigtail (Optional - this only activates the dashboard lights)

The NP242 swap can also be done on 1988-1995 Wrangler YJs and 1997-2006 Wrangler TJs, but they never offered the NP242 from the factory and thus more fabrication work may be needed.
This also works on 1988-1996 XJs and MJs, the shift gate and bezel is different but the same concept applies.
I'm not sure about the 1987 Model year, because the NP242 wasn't put in any Jeeps until 1988 from my sources.

There’s actually quite a hostile force of people out there with a burning hatred for the dashboard lights. I was surprised to find such…. “Enthusiasm” from people explaining why you don’t need them.
“If YoU nEeD tHe DaShBoArD LIgHt tO kNoW yOu’Re in 4Wd, yOu ShOuLn’T bE dRiViNg A jEeP!!!1!!1”
Well, some of us seasoned nobles have more respect for our Jeeps than “Eh those minor electronic accessories have never worked so I never bothered to fix them and have learned to live without them”

True, the original Willys MB from 1941 did not have a dashboard light for the 4wd. In fact it didn’t even have a dashboard. However, the Cherokee does, and although I agree that someone stupid enough to not know when they’re in 4 wheel drive shouldn’t be driving a Jeep, I also think that having a fully functioning XJ is becoming more and more of a rare claim.

I’m not saying everyone should wire the dashboard light, I’m just showing you how to, in case you want to. It’s your Jeep, do with it what you want. I preofer factory functionality.

I’m not sure how this swap differs on Renix or HO years. The NP242 was first introduced in 1988, so although it’ll probably work on 1987’s, I don’t know. 1984-1986 used different transfer cases and transmissions so none of this will work for the earliest years.

If you discover something I missed, let me know. I’ll add it to the description or pin the comment or whatever.

00:00 Video Start
00:15 Transfer Case Options
02:35 Everything you Need
05:53 Shift Gate
12:25 Dashboard Indicator
20:40 Indicator Switch
22:08 After Install

I dub this new 4wd full time: Subaru Mode