Drive train swap

[JEEPD]

Ok, My problem is that I have a really good running 1986 CJ7 that has catastrophic frame damage and severe rust the rear of the tub. Doing a frame swap is not really in the cards for me financially and garage space. But it has a the I6 engine, Dana 44 rear axle and I believe it should be the TF999 auto Transmission so the Transfer Case should be the Dana 300 ...If my research is right.
I am thinking about finding another CJ7 with the AMC 304 and using my Jeep as a parts jeep for the auto Transmission Dana 44 and Dana 300 in it. My goal for a Jeep is auto Transmission (I like autos better for off road and the wife wants to drive it), V8 and Dana 44 rear...some day a Dana 44 front.
What issues would I run into transferring the parts to another 80s model CJ7 with a AMC 304 , and what should I look for?

 

[Bent]

You may need to do some fab work on the kick-down linkage. I don't know if your flexplate will work on a AMC 304 . The v8 mount location may change the drive shaft lengths. If it's a column shift it would help to find one that has the same type of harness connector on the steering column. I don't know if all AMC 304 radiators have tranny cooling.

 

[ThisGuyUKnow]

I may just be nay saying but how is it more economical to buy a different jeep than to swap in a different frame?

 

[JEEPD]

I may just be nay saying but how is it more economical to buy a different jeep than to swap in a different frame?

The theory was to have less parts to swap and could sell off what I didn't need.

 

[Only in a Jeep CJ]

Doing a frame swap is not really in the cards for me financially and garage space.

From someone who has done both frame swaps and 2 into 1 combos, I'll throw in my 2 cents.

If extra funds are short, buying another Jeep will not only tie up those funds for some time till all the parts can be sold OR what might look good to the wallet, may be another problem Jeep in reality.

As for space....two Jeeps striped down will take up a ton of space.

My advice would be to not buy a AMC 304 CJ7 and here's why. All you will be getting is a AMC 304 and an older CJ7 frame that will need the front shock mounts modified to run your front axle (or you can modify your front axle lower shock mounts) Plus, as far as selling off all the left over parts, you'll be trying to sell narrow track axles (can't pay people to haul them off in my area), and either the QuadraTrac stuff or older Dana 20 t case (very Limited customers).

For my time and money, I would try to find ANY CJ7 in the 82 to 86 range with either a clean frame/tub OR try to find a frame and any clean or repairable CJ7 /YJ tub separately. THEN, IF your going to do a V8, find a 360 out of all the Grand Cherokees or Chiefs being parted out. Usually around 100 bucks at the local U-Pull places. Little stuff is easy to find like the CJ V8 motor mounts, etc.