1994 Grand Cherokee Ladero

[Mike1593]

Hello my name is Mike,
I just bought a 1994 grand Cherokee, When the jeep is hot it kinda locks up the front wheels, But when its cool this thing will turn on a dime!!!. I was told that it has a NP249 Transfer Case and its biggest problem is the VC and is what causes this problem. I guess my question is, Is worth fixing or replaceing the VC or swaping it with the NP231. Or is there something other that i can try that is not so costly.
Thanks for any help you can offer
Mike B.

[jeepgod]

Well, in order for us to be able to help you more we need a little more detail......When you say the wheels lock up do you mean the vehicle is unable to move forward or backwards because the front wheels will not rotate? Or do you mean that the wheels will not turn left or right and are locked up? I am assuming it is the first one though. The 242 is one of the better t-cases out there and most would rather have that than the 231. Is there any popping noises when trying to move? Any other noises when trying to move? Have you looked at your t-case fluid at all? Is the fluid really dark and burnt smelling or have any metal flake in it? How many different places ahve you taken it to for an opinion? Also, any other detailed info will be helpful.

[Mike1593]

I am sorry i should have been more detailed, It does not realy lock up but yes, It does pop and grumble in tight turns, But only when the vehicle gets warm. It seems to grind and mone and slow the vehicle down to slow crawl.
To answer your other question, No i have not looked at anything yet. Could it be that simple? This Jeep has 190,000 miles on it, It was a one owner and it is clean. If I find that the fluid is bad. What kind do i replace it with?
Thanks for replying
Mike B.

[jeepgod]

Now this is through the internet and my best guess is that the t-case could be having issues. I had a G.C. that was a 97 and had the 231 t-case and it would pop when going in tight circles and sounded like ti was a u-joint but turned out the chain was slipping in it. The reason why I brought up the fluid is that it would be another good indicator of what is going on in your t-case....if the fluid is dark or almost black and smells burnt, then it is more than likely you t-case. If it is your t-case, there is no sense in changing the fluid in it.......if you do not want to fork out the money to have it rebuilt, then you could search junk yards and find a good used one and put that one in your vehicle.......they are easy to swap out if you have any mechanical abilities at all.

[Mike1593]

Hi
Thanks again for replying, Its not so much that i don't want to put out the money, Its more long term repair that i am looking for. From what i read and see about the NP249 is that the VC will fail again no matter how well to take care of the vehicle and even with proper maint, Also i think i like the 2WD feathure that i would gain with the NP231. Now does anybody know if the guts are enter changeable or not? Or how do i go about doing that?
Thanks Again
New Jeep Guy!!!
Mike B.

[ebowerman]

I just helped a buddy of mine swap from a 249 to a 242 a couple of weeks ago in a '95. Biggest problem we had was getting the donor vehicle to let go of the 242 I think the best way is to just swap the whole case out. Should only take a couple of hours. I'd say go with the 242 over the 231 if this will be a DD, but that's my personal opinion. Some others on here might chime in with different advice?

[jeepgod]

Your best bet is to put a 242 t-case in......it is a lot less hassle and headaches if you are new to jeeps. This t-case will give you the 2wd option and is pretty strong and great for a DD. All you would have to do is change the selector plate where your t-case shifter handle is so you know if you are in 2wd, 4wd and etc. These t-cases do not go bad often and are easy to find just about anywhere and are pretty reasonable in price......plus you would not have to worry about swapping out parts and stuff and it would take you less time to get your vehicle up and running by swapping to a 242j t-case

There's my 2 cents

[Mike1593]

Thanks guys for the great info:
So after hearing what you guys are telling me and doing some reading on these t-cases i think that the 242 it is!!! I finely got under this truck today and everything looks pretty damm good! The u-joints all look good everything is nice and tight, But i am going to need to replace exhaust system, That is pretty rusted out, but no biggie.
Ok my next question if you don't mind is do you think that it is ok to pull the front drive shaft untel i can get the new 242 t-case? This should onlt take me a couple of mos. to get everthing to do it all.
Please your 2 cents again
Thanks Again
Mike B.

[ebowerman]

Pulling that front shaft won't work too well. It'll basically make it feel like your tranny is slipping all the time.

[jeepgod]

The only thing you may have to worry about is the driveshafts being different lengths ro something but that is nothing a place that balances driveshafts and stuff can't handle...there should be a place around you as there are many of them all over. You will save on gas mileage by putting in a t-case that has the 2wd option

On the driveshaft part, You should be able to drive it like that for a while.....if it acts funny, then just put it back in there but if your t-case is as bad as it sounds.....it truly may not last a couple of months fyi

[Mike1593]

Hi guys
Well i pulled the front drive shaft. WOW What a difference!!!!
This thing drives like a different truck. No more popping or grinding in turns it is truly very nice.
Well that just made it easyer to decide on a 242 t-case. I found one and will be picking it up on 09/03/10. I CAN'T WAIT.
I will let you know how it all goes, Thanks again for all of your great input. you guys made it a lot easer to decied on the 242.
Thanks alot
Soon i will be ready for the great outdoors
Mike B.

[jeepgod]

Glad to see things going good for you now