249 to 242 swap. Joe I might need a part

So last night I broke open the cases and started the build for the 249 to 242 transfer case swap. For those that are new to the Grand cherokee world, most of the V8's came with a NP249 which is a full time AWD T-case. The down falls are that the T-case never really has true 50/50 four wheel drive. Also the VC (Viscous Coupling) that makes the whole thing work tends to break and has a price tag of 400-600 bucks. The solution is to swap in a NP242 which is like the 231 that some of us still have in our jeep the only difference is this is a T-case came out of the 4.0 XJ,WJ and ZJ models. Its a super easy swap and went very smooth right till I had to put the snap ring back on the input shaft. At this point the directions have lost me and I was completely on my own to figure out. so I cleaned up all the tools marked and organized everything. I took both front halves of the housings and both input shafts, set them side by side. I figured that the 249 has a the same input bearing as the 242 but the bearing on the 249 is thinner by a 1/4 of a inch or so. Then comparing the two input shafts I find that the 249 is longer than the 242 like it should but compared to the directions not long enough. I thought about swapping bearings but I can't find anyone that has had this issue or had to swap bearings. I did however find a number of people that had to find the longer input shaft to make the swap work. I just thought that I would put this out there to see if anyone had another ideas or opinions. Joe I know you have a boat load of ZJ parts, hook me up man.


On a side note as frustating as last night was I had a great time finally get my hands dirty again and work on something.

https://mrr4x4cforum.editboard.com/general-4x4-discussion-f1/the-resurection-project-t794-225.htm

Joe did the swap a couple of years ago and I can see from the picture that I need the input like he has. The one from my brothers (Joe's old jeep) Is to small.