looking for some info to help my decision making

[rus]

I have a 1980 CJ7 iron duke.... I love my jeep but im not a big fan of the motor I've been going crazy looking into swap options I have thought about the Chevy small block swap and that just seems like alot of time and money same with the ford 302, my boss at my work told me he had a AMC 304 out of his old cj he would sell me for AMC 150 needing and intake and a distributor..... But I just found on Craig's list a 1983 Cherokee with a 360/T-18 /Dana 20 the whole vehicle for 500 bucks its got Danna 44 front and rear axles ECT ECT. Motor only has 30,000 on the rebuild truck has not title that's why it's going so cheap... Am I stupid to pass this up. I really want to use my Dana 300 Transfer Case and I know I can use it with adapters but at this point the adapters are a little pricy.... Should I let that keep me from buying a better motor tranny and axles or should I keep searching for a 302 donor vehical and go with a T-5 tranny Dana 300 Transfer Case ????? Help all the motor choices and researching is frying my brain.....

 

[73CJ]

The 83 sounds like a deal. I would jump on it ASAP.

 

[csuengr]

Your current SR4 4 speed or the T-5 won't hold up that well to V8 power unless you baby the Jeep. You should realize that the 2.5L bell housing is standard Chevy 90* V on one side and Ford butterfly Transmission pattern on the other end. Chevy engine swaps require a new radiator, or a radiator shop that will swap the input and output, or creative plumbing.

There is no cheap option.

One generally stays away from FSJ T-18 's due to the silly 6" extension on the front of the Transmission .

there is no cheap option.

 

[mtnwhlr]

 

[csuengr]

mtnwhlr, I beat you by a few seconds.

 

[mtnwhlr]

mtnwhlr, I beat you by a few seconds.

Damn you can type fast

 

[rus]

thanks for the speedy replies guys.... So this setup for 500 wouldn't be my smartest choice to go with...not trying to ask a bunch of stupid questions that always pop up I just want to learn and know what im talking about or reading.... There's just so many different things I can do and I want to learn about them all lol

 

[NorthwestCJer]

The 83 would not have came with that settup. I would investigate it before purchasing. The trany input shaft on a Cherokee and J truck is longer than a CJ and there is a spacer between the bell housing and the trany. Although you can get a input shaft and change it out.
Also keep in mind that T-18 's come in many versions with 3 different 1st gear options.
T18 & T19 Transmission Packages

You could use the Dana 20 without an issue if the trany is a low first gear ratio.
You have a lot of work ahead of you with any swap.

 

[73CJ]

Parts,parts and more parts.

Axles

Motor

Tcase
The heck with the tranny

$500 is still a deal I'd jump on.

Unneeded parts can be sold or traded.

 

[rus]

Parts,parts and more parts.

Axles

Motor

Tcase
The heck with the tranny

$500 is still a deal I'd jump on.

Unneeded parts can be sold or traded.

That's what I was thinking I've been reading and reading on swaps to the point I think im losing my mind im over thinking it big time. The guy backed out of the deal and im gonna go get the swap I actually want I just didn't want to do all the work lol but im heading to the mustang junk yard as we speak to get my 302

 

[Saddle Tramp]

.......but im heading to the mustang junk yard as we speak to get my 302

Sniff, sniff; another fine CJ nurtured of its it’s Jeepness.

 

[rus]

Sniff, sniff; another fine CJ nurtured of its it’s Jeepness.

Lol I'll ship you the iron duke if you'd like lol

 

[poppatello]

Never heard of a 302 in a Jeep. That would be a cool thread to watch. I want to drop my 440 in mine but to many have shined me...

 

[poppatello]

I just did a quick search on 302's in a Jeep. I have to say it gave me butterflies just reading all of the cool stories. Here is a nice link I found in the last five minutes on the swap if you haven't found already.

I read the whole thing already... :drool:


YJ Powertrain Swap

 

[rus]

Never heard of a 302 in a Jeep. That would be a cool thread to watch. I want to drop my 440 in mine but to many have shined me...

look them up on you tube it seems to be a decent swap I thought about keeping the jeep true to jeep parts but think about it that's the fun with amc all domestic parts are jeep parts I had a gm motor from factory so I think it's all good lol I'll keep everyone posted on my progress

 

[rus]

I just did a quick search on 302's in a Jeep. I have to say it gave me butterflies just reading all of the cool stories. Here is a nice link I found in the last five minutes on the swap if you haven't found already.

I read the whole thing already... :drool:


YJ Powertrain Swap

thanks for the support on the swap man that was my thoughts on it it sounds like a solid build. When people talk about a motor swap in there cj its always amc it small block Chevy I just want to be different plus the parts to build one are pretty cheap it was surprising to me .... I'll have to check that site outni can never read to much ha ha

 

[poppatello]

thanks for the support on the swap man that was my thoughts on it it sounds like a solid build. When people talk about a motor swap in there cj its always amc it small block Chevy I just want to be different plus the parts to build one are pretty cheap it was surprising to me .... I'll have to check that site outni can never read to much ha ha

I completely understand about being different. That is my signature on must of the forums and I thought it was here too. That is why I was thinking dropping my 440 from my camper in there.

In a World Full of Copy Cats, Be an Original.


I don't need a lot of speed. Just want power and the extra speed when I want it would be nice...

 

[Tinman22]

A 440 in your jeep?!?! It's an impossible swap!!!! There can be only one!

 

[poppatello]

A 440 in your jeep?!?! It's an impossible swap!!!! There can be only one!

I've already talked to you Tinman...


More work then I want to put into it and way to much power I think.

But talk me into it again...

 

[Tinman22]

Yeah yeah I know. Still think you should do it.