A friend just bought a 88 yj with no engine-trans-case, dana 30 front(good), 35 rear(trashed), 3inch lift springs, 1 inch motor mounts and front shackle reverse. Jeep also has a full cage installed. He is looking to make a Tellico thrash mobile and make it as low buck as possible. (HA!!..HA!!). Here is what we were thinking since we have located the parts already.
 
97 4.0 six with 91 through 93 FI
727 with np 208 case. Out of 91 Grand Wagoneer (already has fixed yoke)
Dana 44 front out of Wagoneer
AMC 20 out of Wagoneer or...GULP.. a gm 12 bolt. Both have six lug
spring over conversion to run 35 inch tires
 
He also wants 4.56 or 4.88 gears and lockers for both axles and will purchse them. So what do you think? What flexplate would I need to mate the engine to transmission. A 4.2 auto? We have also thought about using a cherokee 4.0 auto and 231 but wanted to avoid using the TCM controlled Trans. Also the 727 is stronger and shorter. Tell me how you feel.  Thanks James
 
 

That is a good question. I have not measured the 727/np208 combo but it does not appear to be as long as the AW4/np231  used in the cherokee. Another plus is that the frame has extensions welded on the rear to run Dodge truck springs. It also retains the factory spring points. If we run the Dodge springs it will give us a few more inches of wheelbase and rear driveshaft length. Our resons for using the 727/np208 are strength, fixed output yoke, and price ($125 from pull-a-part). Would a 23 spline TC998 out of an Eagle connected to a fixed yoke NP231  be shorter and a better choice?   Thanks James

If you plan on using the fuel injection your going to need the matched flexplate for the crank sensor to read off of.  And the crank sensor mounts in the trans bellhousing...
 
The fuel injection can be made to work with trans swaps, it's just more involved.  Mopar Performance used to sell a crank trigger setup, but now you're starting to talk money.
 
Good Luck
 
Ian Dawkins