ok.. i just  picked up a 81 wagoneer and it has the 4.2l  with an auto tranny and a 208 amc transfer case, before i decide if im going to strip this thing i want to be sure the tcase will work on my wrangler which is a 87 with the 4.2l 5speed and a 231 amc t case, the reason i want to do this is because the output shafts on the 208 are not slip yoke like my 231 and it looks like the same casting as the 231 as well, another thing is my jeep is dana 70 rear 60 front on 42's but the gears are only 4:11s will the 208 have low enough low range gearing to keep me wheeling? i have asked some friends none of witch have heard of the 208 amc if it will bolt up or do i need an adapter plate or am i wasting my time any help on the subject would be greatly appreciated.  

well i guess i should scrap the wagoneer since nobody knows what im talking about..  

bmxstreetrider666:
ok.. i just  picked up a 81 wagoneer and it has the 4.2l  with an auto tranny and a 208 amc transfer case, before i decide if im going to strip this thing i want to be sure the tcase will work on my wrangler which is a 87 with the 4.2l 5speed and a 231 amc t case, the reason i want to do this is because the output shafts on the 208 are not slip yoke like my 231 and it looks like the same casting as the 231 as well, another thing is my jeep is dana 70 rear 60 front on 42's but the gears are only 4:11s will the 208 have low enough low range gearing to keep me wheeling? i have asked some friends none of witch have heard of the 208 amc if it will bolt up or do i need an adapter plate or am i wasting my time any help on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

First, a 208 is not the same as a 231. Internally a 231 is scaled down and has less torque capacity. Dodge actually used two 231's. The one you have and a 231 HD that had 241 planetaries they used in V8 models with 231. Also you are going about this wrong in that low range was never meant to make up axle ratios that are wrong for tires sizes as this method places a LOT of strain on drive shafts, chassis, tcase and engine mounts from counter torque against tall gears. You need to scrap 4.10's and install some 5.86 gears which both axles support. 5.13's would be marginal with 42's and 4.10's are a very poor choice. Do the gear swap and you will feel like you had a engine transplant and will not need 4x4 lo all the time either. It will really wake it up and it would do well even with 4.2 in it. Your mistake is classic in that people install lifts and tires and for some strange reason think that 4.10 is a magic ratio to have. The magic ratio actually depends on tire size not a universal number.  

WOW at first I didn't think you would help me but that was definitely impressive because it is the first answer I have had in over two months, the first told me to install a V8 then you can power through anything..... not knowing anything I have been going off everything i have been hearing from all the wrong people. But needless to say I am knee-deep into a project I only want to see done so I can go have some fun, unfortunately i keep on running up on new problems, maby big maby small for you but if you will be willing to help someone who is willing to learn I think I can help grow some new calluses on your fingertips. seriously thank you, for making me feel so ignorant I dont know much like I said but i want too.. i hope you answer my next dumb question  

There is no such thing as a dumb question. The potentially dumb questions are the ones you do not ask because it is "dumb" not to ask them. You ask questions because you do not know.  Anyone that treats you like it is a dumb question, you do not want their help anyway. Many seem to thing that a big V8 is the answer to all problems with lack of power with big tires when the solution is proper axle ratios 99% of the time. It sounds like you have a nice project going and if you take the time to regear axles as suggested about you will be rewarded with a big performance boost and pride to because you did it and did not have to add several hundred pounds in engine, cooling system and tranny upgrades for more torque. You will find the you have a edge over the V8 wheelers because you will weigh less, have a better balanced chassis, it will be easier to cool engine and the 4.2 low RPM torque and deep gears will pull nicely and smoothly at lower RPM's on trail when need be. To me anyway this is a more perfect rig than one with a big thirsty and heavy V8. Many many years ago I had a friend that had a old 1950 military vehicle that looked like a Jeep on steroids. It had a flat head 75HP 6 and axle ratios around 6 to 1 with 36 inch military tires. Its top speed was about 45 but it was slow and heavy at speed. But, off the road is was unstoppable and low was so deep that you could let clutch out in first low range at a idle on a hill and it would crawl up it. I guess what I am trying to say here is that proper gears will make you or break you off road not the lack of a bigger engine.  

plain and simple.. well now I have a motor swap for someone, and im currently in the market for some gears, i was flexing on a friends rig that was on his car hauler and it made me realize how much easier life was when i had 4.10 and 31'' all terrains. I was using way to much throttle and clutch to get it on the trailer and his tire and seeing him do it with 7.17's i know what needs to happen. thank you snoman  

Glad to be of help. BTW, you might even consider 6.17's over 5.86's. The difference is not much but every little bit helps. I honestly do not think you need 7.17's in your case though.