1979 & 1980 cj5

[Hangin]

Hey all,

I just bought a 1979 CJ5 to go along with my 1980 CJ5.

The 79 has AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l I6, T18A, Dana 20 .
The 80 has AMC 304 V8, T-176 , Dana 300 .

Both are very strong running motors, my question is what would be the best drivetrain combo using the components I have? The final jeep will be 90% offroad mostly built for trails.

 

[Niedhogg]

Hey all,

I just bought a 1979 CJ5 to go along with my 1980 CJ5.

The 79 has 258 I6, T18A, Dana 20.
The 80 has 304 V8, T176, Dana 300.

Both are very strong running motors, my question is what would be the best drivetrain combo using the components I have? The final jeep will be 90% offroad mostly built for trails.

AMC 304 , T-18 , Dana 300 , but actually, to save time and money the '80 has a pretty good driveline already...

 

[Incommando]

AMC 304 to T18a to 300 would be the best but it can be expensive to adapt the T18a to the 300. I would swap the T18a/Dana 20 behind the 304 as the D20 is an under-rated but very stout Transfer Case . The 304 has way more potential than the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l IMHO.

 

[Hangin]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. Exactly what you all have suggested is what I was wanting to do, AMC 304 T-18 Dana 300 . But after looking at the adapter prices I was wanting other opinions.

Initially I bought the 79 for parts for my 80. I can scavage the fenders speedometer, headlight, marker lights, rims etc. also the tub is in better shape than my 80. However, my 80's suspension is in alot better shape and I really want to keep the 304.

My next question is will the bellhousing from the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l bolt to the 304 making the tranny switch fairly easy?? Also the 79, t18/Dana 20 is making some noise not sure what it is kinda sounds like bearing noise but not sure. I need to check all fluids etc. but the tranny and Transfer Case work very well no issues there.

 

[BusaDave9]

Do these CJs run?

Both of those CJs have great drive trains. If your goal is to get the ultimate CJ and the heck with the 2nd CJ then yes the ultimate CJ would have a AMC 304 V8, a T-18 and a Dana 300 .
But it is not worth the time and money to rob from one CJ to build up the other.

 

[Hangin]

Busa,

Yup they both run very well. The 80 is much more road worthy due to alot of brake work, front end bushing and lockout work, exhaust etc. However, the 79 is structurally sound meaning it does not have near the body rot that the 80 has. Both frames are in pretty decent shape.

 

[Hangin]

Here is a picture of both CJ's
1979 is the blue one & yes I have the windshield just not installed.