304 into 1970 cj5?

[gliryan]

I've got a 1980 CJ5 with a AMC 304 . Rusty frame deal… Well I've been looking for a replacement frame and ended up finding a 1970 CJ5 full body, probably a mail carrier as it was a right hand drive tub. The frame is apparently a left hand drive though. He's asking $400. The frame doesn't look rusty but the steel is rough, like its texture, underneath a coat of black paint, likely spray paint. The tub has a hole cut for left hand drive. My question is can I swap my motor and Transmission into that older frame style?

 

[the chief]

Before I bought it, I'd be bangin' on that frame with a ball peen hammer and a nail set. You could be buying another rusty one (that black texured paint would make me suspicious)

 

[gliryan]

For sure. The crappy part is its a little over 2 hours away. I'm going to post a couple pics. As far as I can tell though its pretty solid.

 

[gliryan]

here is the one I'm looking at getting

 

[the chief]

That "black paint" just looks like undercoating, a good thing. Being a mail carrier, I'm sure it didn't come with a V8. Might have to relocate motor mounts but it should fit in there fine. I'd offer him $200 for that long of a drive.

 

[gliryan]

I wonder how difficult it would be to swap the pedals over to the left hand side. He said the hole is cut out for the column to be placed on the left, and the frame is a left hand drive frame so just need to get the controls over there.

 

[JR74CJ5]

I think the column would have been the rough part... The pedals should be easy.

Remember to look real good for cracks in the frame... will be hard to spot with the newer looking pain on it.

Good Luck man,
~ JR

 

[the chief]

The pedals should be easy.

~ JR

maybe, but I would think you'd have to swap out the linkages

 

[JR74CJ5]

maybe, but I would think you'd have to swap out the linkages

Oh yeah most definitely... I had assumed we are taking both jeeps and making 1 out of them??

So was under the impression he had all the stuff to use already from the 80's jeep to put into the 70's. Meaning he'd just re-use pedal assembly etc.

I know there are some extreme differences, but should be doable. I haven't actually had the pleasure to check out in detail, and in person, a RHD jeep (or any car for that matter)

But i do remember someone else here had just got a RHD jeep... I'll see if I can remember who, and get you in touch with him... He's had it a little while now, so may have some useful info for you before you make the trip to get or not to get this thing.

 

[gliryan]

Awesome, thanks guys. I'm still on the fence, I know my frame sucks and still needs to sections repaired/replaced before it's actually wheelable. But yeah I'd buy this '70 and swap everything over that was needed from my '80 to get it working. I know I shouldn't spend the money right now, so we'll see. I need to sell my xj first in all reality.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Pic number 5 looks like it already has a small rust hole by the mount.. How much is he asking for it.

 

[SrBeaver]

Don't for

 

[gliryan]

Well if I end up getting it, planning on going out there Friday, it'll be for $250. Someone told me it should have a Dana 44 in the back, I'm not sure if it does or not but I suppose I'll find out.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

If it were 250 for the frame I would say no.. but if there is a lot of other decent parts like tub and 44 then it would be worth it..

 

[gliryan]

Well it comes as that roller. Axles, Transmission and Transfer Case , tub, etc. I'm thinking now I'm going to just put a Dauntless Buick 225 V6 back in it and keep both cj's. I drove my rusty one home a couple days ago and just don't want to tear it down. Just going to patch it up and see how it is.