DJ5 Transmission Options

[czr]

Hello,

New member here with a 1974 DJ5. I know its not a CJ but have been searching online and cant seem to find the info that I need. It has a AMC 232 i6 with a Borg Warner M11 auto Transmission .

Jeep has been sitting for more than 14 years when I acquired it and I was able to get it running but Transmission has problems. Oil pan was partially removed so someone was working on it at one time. Well after getting it back together it has reverse but no power on forward gears. When on jackstands the tires turn but has no torque, I can stop them with some pressure with my foot. Also is leaking from front of Transmission and oil pan.

Dont really want to wrench on this Transmission plus I would like to convert it to 4WD so I am looking at a Transmission swap with a Transfer Case . My question is what will bolt right up to it? Either manual or auto is fine. Would like to see if I can pick something up at the local junkyard to keep the cost down.

Any info would be appreciated. Already searched online but cant find a definite answer. I'm already aware of Novak bellhousings but thats too much money for me right now.

 

[PistolDave]

I have 2 1976 models, mine both have TF727's in them, which are a pretty reliable auto, and should bolt right up to your AMC 232 i6 . This guy Postal Jeep Parts has a lot of parts for the DJ5, you might give him a call. I don't think there is any reasonable way to convert one of these to 4wd and keep it an auto Transmission . The driveshaft is already as short as a normal CJ5 and that's before you add an adapter and Transfer Case . For a whole bunch of reasons, if I wanted a 4wd jeep I would look for a CJ5 or 7. Trying to convert a postal to 4wd will be an awful lot of work, and expensive to boot, and after all is said and done will never have the value or utility of a -5 or -7. Just my 0.02$.

Dave

 

[Posi]

All the 72 up to 86 CJ Transmission , Transfer Case and B-housing should bolt up to the AMC 232 i6 .
Of course there will be other things like Transmission crossmember, DS, and pedal if going with a manual that would need to be addressed. If going with an auto the rear axle may or may not have to be addressed as well.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

:ww:

PLZ start a build thread on your DJ-5.

LG

 

[czr]

Thanks for the info guys. What I am trying to do is keep this Jeep and give it new life. Dont want to sell it since I already have it and overall it is in good shape. Motor turned on with minimal effort after sitting for many years and body, frame and interior are in good condition.

I am however on a tight budget for now. If I could find a Transmission at the local junkyard that'd be great. At this point I just want to get it driveable so a 2WD Transmission would be ok for now and down the road gather parts for the 4WD conversion.

I hear what you're saying PistolDave. I've read good things about the 727 and know that it will be a challenge to convert the DJ to 4WD but since I already have it I might just give it a shot. I am going to do all the work myself so that will save me some cash. Just need to track down the parts.

@ Posi guess I'll be searching online for a Transmission /Transfer Case from a CJ. Hopefully I can find something at a decent price. Might cruise on over the junkyard this week and see what they have. The rear axle appears to be a Dana 44 with Limited slip so that should be good to go.

@ Lumpy Grits I'll see what I can do about the build thread. It's hard to find the time in the day with a family and job. I'll try and post some pictures on here later.

Montanaphilly's DJ brought me to this forum. Was shooting for something similar to his but with less lift and milder tires.

Anyone know if the bellhousing pattern on the AMC 232 i6 is the same as the earlier 4.0s? I have read that they supposedly are but am not 100% convinced.

Was told that the problem with this Transmission might be the forward clutch pack but I dont really want to spend any money on it since I've read that they arent that good to begin with.

 

[czr]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[czr]

So upon further research looks like I'll might be looking for a T-18 /T19 Transmission out of a Ford truck from the junkyard. There should be some around since there are usually plenty of Ford tucks there.

I'll need to locate a T-150 bellhousing and the clutch components as well. Going to try and adjust the bands on the BW M11 that the Jeep has now and see if that might help. Also going to check the Transmission fluid level again.

 

[PistolDave]

Before you commit to purchasing a T-18 /19, do your research, because there are many different variations of this Transmission and some are easier/cheaper to adapt than others. Novaks website is a good place to start.

 

[hole]

Love my T19 , but as PistolDave mentioned there are differences, so do your research before buying. Novak is a great starting place. T-18 's out of Ford trucks generally came with 6.xx Non-syncro'ed first gear and T19's generally came with 4.xx full syncro'ed first gear ratio. T19's did come with two other first gear ratios as well 6.xx (rare) and 5.xx (pretty rare). Mine is a 5.xx first gear and it took about a year to find it. If your going to convert it to 4x then you will need an adapter for the Transfer Case and new out-put shaft ($5-600) if you plan to run a Dana 20 or Dana 300 .

 

[czr]

Thanks guys for the tips. I've been spending a lot of time on Novak's site. Seems like they are the experts at this and have a lot of good products just not in my budget right now.

I'll keep researching and try and get this Transmission to work for now. Going to drop the pan this weekend and see if I can get it to work. Will stop by the junkyard from time to time to see what they got.

 

[WillyM]

Not much help with the project, but I drove a DJ5 (left hand drive) several times daily for the Navy for several months years ago. With the AMC in line 6 & auto Transmission , it was pretty "zippy" once I got off the base with it. Which was a bit of a surprise for me given it was a "postal jeep".

 

[czr]

Thanks for the info WillyM. Motor sounds healthy and fired right up after sitting for years outside with no oil filler cap and air filter not installed correctly. Hoping I have time today to adjust the bands on the Transmission and see what happens.