Automatic to manual

[thistle3585]

I am getting an unfinished CJ7 project and wondered how difficult it would be to convert it to a 3 speed. It is a '76. It currently has a AMC 304 in it.

 

[rocmoc]

IMHO, the auto is better for off roading! I would love to get rid of my 3-sd for a auto.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

 

[Fastatv]

I am getting an unfinished CJ7 project and wondered how difficult it would be to convert it to a 3 speed. It is a '76. It currently has a 304 in it.

Don't do it thistle......... That GM Turbo 400 is awesome and hard to break! Good luck if you do decide to convert it. Rick

 

[gert]

I am not sure why you would want to go to a 3 speed manual unless you have it sitting there already…..but you will need thhe matching flywheel bell housing, clutch assy a Transfer Case that will bolt up, shifter, correct length driveshafts, and clutch linkage. if I had the choice of a 3 speed manual or automatic I would stick with the auto and scrap the manual out for some beer money. mine started with a 4 speed and I have since swapped to a 5 speed to have a much better selection of gear ratios as I drive it However to each his own good luck

 

[Petescj]

I am getting an unfinished CJ7 project and wondered how difficult it would be to convert it to a 3 speed. It is a '76. It currently has a 304 in it.

Can you let us know what exactly your building this Cj for? I dont see a T-150 3 spd as an upgrade. If your looking to swap to a manual Transmission there are alot of better options out there depending on your needs.

 

[thistle3585]

I have a spare T-150 an Tr case. No offroading. I just prefer manuals over automatic .
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[Saddle Tramp]

If have a 1976 CJ7 then the only OEM auto transmission offered would be connected to a Quadratrac transfer case which means the rear end would have an offset differential. In short unless you go with a Spicer 18 transfer case (not a Dana 20 or 300) the rear end will need to be swapped for a center differential unit.

However, all of the AMC V8s and I6s use the same bell housing bolt pattern so you can mix and match the OEM bell housings as needed to fit any OEM CJ manual transmission.

 

[Hedgehog]

Haven't had an automatic in a Jeep, but did have one in a Bronco. It was my hunting vehicle so it was 4 wheeled a lot. My opinion of as automatic for 4 wheeling ...Hated it, hated it, hated it. Especially in low range. Why? Low range felt the same as high range. How could that be? The automatic would shift right up through the gears into over drive and felt the same that is unless the Transmission . was manually shifted down. I never felt I had the control of a manual Transmission . Yes, I know it's popular to go with an Automatic, but the reason fails me. Did I say that I hated the automatic for 4 wheeling........

 

[rocmoc]

Haven't had an automatic in a Jeep, but did have one in a Bronco. It was my hunting vehicle so it was 4 wheeled a lot. My opinion of as automatic for 4 wheeling ...Hated it, hated it, hated it. Especially in low range. Why? Low range felt the same as high range. How could that be? The automatic would shift right up through the gears into over drive and felt the same that is unless the trans. was manually shifted down. I never felt I had the control of a manual transmission. Yes, I know it's popular to go with an Automatic, but the reason fails me. Did I say that I hated the automatic for 4 wheeling........

Yeah it has to be Manually shifted when you want to stay in a gear but in that way it is not any different than a manual. Difference is going over a rock garden, up a slick rock step, better control on uphill climbs (especially if you have to stop & restart), better control of wheel slip, easier to drive in traffic and more. I use to be a manual only guy in the old days but autos rule in todays world.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

 

[Hedgehog]

They also call Rap music. This world seems to be all about easier. There are a lot of vehicles that are easier to drive than a CJ. When I come to a rock garden or a slick rock step, if at all possible, I'll go around, tearing up my vehicle just for the thrill of breaking something is not fun for me.

 

[Deerejeep]

They also call Rap music. This world seems to be all about easier. There are a lot of vehicles that are easier to drive than a CJ. When I come to a rock garden or a slick rock step, if at all possible, I'll go around, tearing up my vehicle just for the thrill of breaking something is not fun for me.

I get the feeling you don't like Rap? No way, I want an auto in my CJ. The CJ is for me to remember when things were simple, and simple does not always mean easy. No cell phones.....


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[cj7inthetwigs]

I get the feeling you don't like Rap? No way, I want an auto in my CJ. The CJ is for me to remember when things were simple, and simple does not always mean easy. No cell phones.....


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I must admit that while my pants stay around my natuaral waistline I can listen to some rap,country,not new country, rock,not death metal...really, know all the goldies,even classical and alot in between such as gypsie jazz. I know who Danny Gatton and Roy Buchannon are too. Easier is better in this case because thats what it came with. I love manuals and really hesitated when I discovered my cj was a auto. I love it anyways. Actually when im standing on the drum breaks,sliding off the mtn on some gravel goat trail, I'm glad its an auto. To each their own and thats my two cents. If its not broke don't fix it unless your the government.

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[Old Dog]

IMHO I'll take the auto for off road control any day.
It may not have the cool factor of a stick,
but it will get you up steep hills and over rocks a lot better.

 

[Petescj]

IMHO I'll take the auto for off road control any day.
It may not have the cool factor of a stick,
but it will get you up steep hills and over rocks a lot better.

I cant wait to test this theory. I have the money to button up a few things on Vickis , just need the time to work on it now.

 

[Petescj]

And to the OP , I had a 78 CJ5 with a 360 and the T-150 Dana 20 combo along with 4.10 gears and 33s. I can tell you I broke the original but dont know what went wrong cause I wasnt opening up transmissions back then. I replaced it with another used one and for the street it was fine but the gearing wasnt near low enough for me off road.

 

[Hedgehog]

Sorry guys, wasn't trying to be snappy. I know quite a few guys that like their automatic's. Personal preference is exactly that, no right, no wrong. I was brought up with not using the Transmission hold down feature very often on a Transmission unless the Transmission was modified to allow it. Probably old thinking, but it's stuck in my mind forever. I might have liked an auto more if I'd shifted down more often. Bumping around in the back country has always been great fun, but when it comes to the rough stuff my more conservative side kicks in. There is a small part of me that admires truly rugged equipment and what they can do, but when a jeep is modified that extensively my mine wonders if it is still a real Jeep or a shell that looks like a Jeep.

 

[IOPort51]

And to the OP , I had a 78 Cj-5 with a 360 and the T-150 Dana 20 combo along with 4.10 gears and 33s. I can tell you I broke the original but dont know what went wrong cause I wasnt opening up transmissions back then. I replaced it with another used one and for the street it was fine but the gearing wasnt near low enough for me off road.

Did the factory put a 360 in front of a T-150 ??

 

[Petescj]

Did the factory put a 360 in front of a t150??

The AMC 304 that was in it when I bought it was worn and the Transmission actually went before the AMC 304 . In hindsight the Jeep was solid frame and body wise when I bought it , but the whole drivetrain had seen better days. I replaced the motor with a 360 out of a Waggy then added another Cj T-150 and Dana 20 along with a complete rebuild of the front Dana 30 .


I never got the chance to blow up the 2nd T-150 behind the 360. It died behind the weak AMC 304 . Seeing how the whole drivetrain was worn out its hard to pick on just the T-150 . They have a reputation as a strong Transmission but a 3spd doesnt give you an option for a nice low 1st gear. Id never use one in a Cj that was going to see even minimal off road time though.

 

[Fastatv]

I really like my automatic, and that's all I have had in most the 4x4 trucks I have owned. I feel it takes some of the thinking and work out of the playing....focus on throttle and brake, no clutch to worry about. Those that operate a manual in severe off roading....does require much talent..........seriously. I'm getting old , don't want the challenge.....would rather keep one hand free for sipping a . Merry Christmas guys. Rick