full-time transfer case options?

[SVO42]

I know that for most of you guys, you prefer part-time cases, but I need a full-time case since I use my '87 Wag for snow driving for winters here in Missouri. Right now, it still has the stock NP229, which I really like. However, I may be looking at an engine rebuild eventually (probably not anytime soon, I think), and I'd like to swap to a new 700-R4 transmission at the same time. I did some searching, but I'm still a bit confused as to what works and what side the front axle drops for different cases. I off-road my Wag a few times a year, and I'll be lifting by fall if all goes well (4" BJ's). Thanks in advance.

[Mikel]

What gearing do you have? You probably have very tall gears in your GW, so an overdrive tranny may not help you at all.

[SVO42]

When I get the lift and new wheels & tires, I plan on adding lower gears and limited-slips (ideally electronic locking capability). Even if I did the motor/tranny/t-case before then, I don't think the overdrive would be too tall-I have the tow package 3.31s with stock-size tires now.

[scotty]

are you planning a chevy engine swap as well? im not a 700r fan and IMO its very much not worth the $$ to adapt it to the amc motor and to the 229 transfer case.

no transfer cases come to mind that will bolt to a 700r that are full time,so youll be stuck adapting your 229 if you really want to stay full time.

i think the 700r is a marginal tranny,even when theyre "built" and i dont think its worth the $$ it would cost for adaptrs to use it.i think youd be $$ ahead to either:

a)swap in a gm engine,along with the 700r and a hybrid jeep/gm 208,and learn to shift in and out of 4wd when you need it. this is what i do in my xj,here in the ohio valley winters.its more fun than just leaving it in 4x all the time ;)

or

b) forget the OD and look for a later 727 with a lockup comvertor,if you dont allready have one. you can then keep an amc motor and the 229.when you get bigger tires,look into regearing slightly,to keep the same power you have,without adding rmp at 60 mph.i dont know much about autos,but maybe there is a higher stall lockup convertor for the 727 that will help you with cruise rms,and give you alittle more punch off the line?

my $.02 smile.gif

[The PIG Smith]

I have a NP219 in my J20.
It's a full time case and I like it a lot.

There are quite a few folks here that do not like the NP219 and I dunno why.

[scotty]

the 219 is a decent case. it does not,for some reason,seem to share the prollems of the 229. its only drawback that i can think of is no 2wd. to some people a 2wd is important.

as far as putting on a 700r,however,you are in the same boat-you need a round patter on the adapter and a 23 spline taislahft to use the 229 or 219. to use either on the 700,youll need an afrmarket adapter.

[zmjeeps]

There are several different options for full time cases behind any trans that has the round 6 hole bolt pattern. The only thing you have to do is change the input gear in the transfer case. For the most part, all the ones with 2.61:1 low range ratio will interchange and most of the tcases with 2.72:1 low range will interchange. You could use your current tcase with a different input gear, or change to a NV242 (Full Time) from a Grand Cherokee/Dakota/Durango/Hummer.
Scotty, I didn't realize you are in Dayton. I was just down there last weekend...

[The PIG Smith]

Originally posted by scotty:
its only drawback that i can think of is no 2wd. to some people a 2wd is important.
TWO WHEEL DRIVE?
In a JEEP?
UGHHHH!!!
That is sacrilegious!!

<just kidding smile.gif >

[scotty]

Originally posted by zmjeeps:
Scotty, I didn't realize you are in Dayton. I was just down there last weekend...next time youre here look me up smile.gif i didnt have much free time thit past weekend,worked saturday,spent sunday picking up a tractor for a friend in hillsboro,then a parts XJ for another friend in cincinatti. but usually im in the garage all day on sundays

Originally posted by zmjeeps:
There are several different options for full time cases behind any trans that has the round 6 hole bolt pattern. The only thing you have to do is change the input gear in the transfer case.only pollem is finding an input gear that will work with the 700rs tailsahft. the 242 used in jeep and dodge will have 21 or 23,the hummer im not sure,so a 242 from a hummer may be an option,since they were gm based. to my kowledge gm never used a 219 or 229,so an input gear that will swap into the case AND fit the 700 taislahft does not exist :(

its quite possible to combine parts on alot cases to make a jeep/gm hybrid(208,241,242) but most of them are part time. id forgotten the 242 was usedin some gm applications,good call on that one...

[waggin'ear]

You can adapt a 700r4 to use a 203 that was behind a Th350. There is a spacer that you can buy fairly cheap.

That means passenger drop front axle though.

[SVO42]

Thanks for the input, guys. The only cases that were full-time I could think of before I posted were the NP219, NP228, NP229 (prefer 229 out of those), NP203, and Quadratrac. I read the post about the 700-R4/QT combo, but I don't want any interference issues. I hadn't thought about the 242. Is it similar in setup to the 229, as in 2WD/4WD and 4-low? Open or limited-slip action? What about the 203's setup? Sorry I'm newbish about this, but I like to have the knowledge BEFORE I have to undertake a project!

I plan on either rebuilding my 360 or, ideally, a 401. I don't have my heart set on keeping my NP229, but I like the options of the case (selectable 2WD/4WD and 4-low, call me sacriligous about the 2WD part if you want tongue.gif ). I'd be willing to swap to a passenger side drop, too, esp. since I know of a '79 Wag in a junkyard not too far from me.

Also, what is the typical spline count for the output shaft on a 700-R4? Say I have a tranny built (not bought off-the-shelf or JY-sourced), is it possible to have a different shaft put in it to fit other cases, or are there size/length issues as well? I'm still getting familiar with this stuff. I think I'll spend some time looking through AA and Novak catalogs to see what's available soon.

I could bore you to death about Ford 2.3 turbos if you want any payback in that area! smile.gif

[waggin'ear]

700r4 should be a 27 spline output.

It looks like novak makes a 23 spline adapter for their NP231 to 700r kit. That kit should allow you to use any NP kit or even a flipped dana 300 .

[zmjeeps]

You can take the input gear out of a NV241 for example, with the correct 27 spline input gear or 32 spline input gear for GM and put into an NV242 transfer case. All the NVG input gears interchange as long as the reduction ratio is the same (and it doesn't have a double row input ball bearing).

[zmjeeps]

There are two versions of the 242. A 4 position and a 5 position. 5 Position has 2wd, 4 Full Time, 4 Part Time, Neutral, and 4 low. 4 Position doesn't have 2wd. The hummer versions are all 4 position (stronger).

[Peter Matusov]

There are also two full-time T-cases that Land Rovers came with - Borg Warner 1361 (chain-driven, very tight limited slip center diff, non-lockable), and LT230 (gear-driven, open center, lockable). Both have 3.27:1 low range ratio, and high range ratio varies from 1.06:1 (BW) to 1.4:1 (Defender 110). There is plenty of Rovers on junk yards these days, so the cases are not as expensive as they used to be. Both cases are very reliable; both have front/rear passenger side drop.

[zmjeeps]

Peter, what is the bolt pattern like on those? How hard would it be to adapt them to anything else? Thanks,

[fulsizjeep]

SVO42 - It all depends on how much money and time you want to put in it and how you plan to use your GW. The 360/727 is a good setup. Sure, 401 is better. ;) The 229 is a good tcase. Selectable 4WD on the fly with the flip of the vacumn switch. Nothing wrong with a NP219 for full time and is a direct swap on to the 727 you have. I probably would have kept a 229 in Wally if he was more of a daily driver, but the 208 advantage is having the front and rear locked in either 4hi or 4lo for trail use. The 229 is limited slip in 4hi (great for ice & snow) and locked in 4lo. Now, if you got money burning a hole in your pocket, there are lots of other options mentioned above.