'79 CJ5 4bt + Overdrive?

[A1Sensei]

I am new to Jeeps, but an old hand at vehicle mods/ hot-rodding. I purchased a '79 CJ5 and intend to convert from v8/ 3 spd to 4bt/ Overdrive (manual). I understand many of the issues I will be dealing with.
My question is; Has anyone here actually done this with a CJ5 ? I am going to get it done one way or another, but I would love to pick the brain of someone who has been there and done that.

Thanks and God bless, Sensei

 

[Lumpy Grits]

:ww:

The rear driveshaft length can be an issue with drive-line mods in a '5'.
LG

 

[Posi]

The4bt is around 300lbs heaver then the stock V8. The steering and frame would need to be beefed up.

A girl in the next town over had someone do a 4bt swap for her. They built a new frame and 1 ton steering components. I've never done the swap or have any interest in doing it so not much to add here.

What do you teach?

 

[A1Sensei]

The rear driveshaft length can be an issue with drive-line mods in a '5'. LG

I am aware of this one. I have some ideas; a simple rear leaf spring swap can move diff back 6", but I am thinking that will not be enough. I was hoping someone would know best (shortest) components to use to accomplish Overdrive and/ or whatever else was needed to make it work (that is if anyone has ever actually made it work yet).

The4bt is around 300lbs heaver then the stock V8. The steering and frame would need to be beefed up.

I have heard the later CJ5 's frame can handle it (earlier ones were not "boxed" and required reinforcement). Again, someone who has done it should know for sure.

What do you teach?

Fushin Ryu

 

[Posi]

Fushin Ryu

USA GOJU/Taekwondo, here

Good luck with your build.

 

[Torxhead]

A guy that I wheel with has a 700R4/350 Chev. in a '79 CJ5 . It has reversed Ford 9 inch diffs to allow for any driveshaft issues. The driveshaft is very short though.

 

[Hedgehog]

You are reaching for the stars and I don't believe you are going to reach'em in a stock CJ5 . You could stretch the frame and body some.

 

[A1Sensei]

Some of the things I am looking at are cutting out the rear wheel wells and moving the rear axle back. I also could possibly use a thinner radiator, move it forward and use electric cooling fan, allowing the engine to be mounted farther forward. These are just ideas I have been kicking around, but again, I was hoping for someone to be able to say, "I did this, that, and the other thing and it worked" before I have to go trial and error.

 

[Hedgehog]

Radiators at the thickness they are for a reason .... just a thought. It's not really the things you are trying to do, it's the size of the vehicle you want to use. You can still have the CJ5 look but more room with a CJ6 .