Noob...stickys with basics?

[jasonmark1993]

Hi all,

Really interested in moving into jeeps but I have never owned/wrenched on one.

Solid mechanical skills as I used to be an auto tech and have had supercharged and turbo charged 5.0ls that I built myself.

Im shooting for a fairly high HP (looking at a crate FRPP 392) jeep with average or above average off road capabilities. I'll have my wife and kid on most of the runs so I wont get too crazy. I plan on running 35s and a manual Transmission (toploader?)...does anyone even make a strong 5spd that fits a small block v8 and will take a Transfer Case ?

The one area where I dont have any knowledge is the diffs. What came factory...what kind of power they can handle...etc. Found a 69 and 75 for sale close by.

If someone wants to throw some info cool...or if there are some stickys or another site to check thats cool too.

Thanks

 

[3QuarterTon CJ]

WWHHOOOAAA there killer calm down!! The best way to get to know your Jeep is to just simply tinker with it, and drive it stock at first.

Jeeps are nothing like a supercharged 'stang. That being said you need to get used to the way your "new" jeep handles and maneuvers. Just like you had to get used the the extra power of the pumped up ponies you built.

Anybody can build a bada$$ Jeep with above average off-road capabilities, however most people that build or buy the "catalog Jeep" as I call them, have NO idea how to drive or wheel with them.

I honestly used to hate it when a green horn with a $30,000 TJ would show up and the owner would have no clue how to use it, we would have to kind of baby sit him through the trails.

So... with all that being said I strongly suggest starting small, and learning your Jeep. Once you get comfortable wheeling stock, then upgrade to a small lift and tires, then go a lil bit bigger, and do some harder trails and so on and so on. Believe me you and your family will benefit from the experience you gain by starting small and working your way up to a Jeep with better than average off-road capabilities.

 

[jasonmark1993]

Thanks for the reply.

I guess to be more clear Im looking for info such as which years came with which axles, Transmission , etc. I can spew off what Transmission , rear end, engine, etc all 5.0s came with from 81 up so I know which ones are better to start off with, thats what I'm shooting for here.

From what I did see today, there seem to be ALOT of different combos of axles, Transmission , t case, etc on any given year. Is that accurate?

Def. not building a show jeep, I want something I can rub against a tree and not freak out about. Might even stay with 33"s, not planning on building some crazy rock crawler or worthless 8 foot tall deal either. The main thing I am concerned about is the running gear as I am going to put some power in it.

EDIT--Havent bought one yet but I assure you that I'll spend plenty of time getting to know it!!

 

[3QuarterTon CJ]

Are you looking to get a CJ? If so I'd look for a decent 86, that way you have a wide track jeep, with a Dana 44 rear. That rear will hold up to power and abuse much better than the typical model 20 rear would. Or you could get a clean YJ, throw in a disc brake 8.8 out of an exploder in the rear, and 5.0l Transmission and Transfer Case from a truck or bronco, and have some fun in the woods.

 

[jasonmark1993]

Def. gotta be pre 75 due to the emissions stuff.

Good tip on the 8.8...thanks. Is that just for the YJ? Not even sure what that is but Im guessing its a later year jeep, right?

I might just play it safe and buy a 9" for the rear.

Is a Dana 30 good for the front?

As far as the 5.0l Transmission ...is that a 4sp or 5sp?

Again thanks for the info.

 

[BusaDave9]

The CJs from the '80s often had 5 speed Overdrive but they were . The T-5 was about the worst tranny to go into a Jeep. In the 70's CJs often had excellent strong transmissions but they were often 3 speeds. The best tranny to go into a CJ was the 4 speed T-18 . They are not common but you can find them in a CJ from the '70s.
CJ's often had an AMC20 rear end. They NEED a one piece axle installed for strengh. The 2 piece from the factory often had problems. If you're lucky you might find a CJ with a Dana 44 rear.
The Dana 30 usually found up front is a good axle.

 

[jasonmark1993]

Awesome thanks.

All good info. Im def. going to run a ford engine so I'll probably just find a toploader and run an adapter for the tcase.

Any info on the T case...is there one that is better than others or any certain one that I should stay away from?

 

[BusaDave9]

Jeep has used some excellent TCases but I would avoid the QuadraTrac .
The Dana 20 from the '70s or the Dana 300 from the '80 were both excellent gear driven cases. The Dana 300 has a lower low and is better for that reason.
Jeep had some very good engines such as the AMC 304 . You could also swap in a AMC 360 but if you want a Ford V8 they can often be adapted easily to the Jeep transmissions. I put a Ford T-18 into a CJ7 . You could get a Ford V8 & ford T-18 to adapt to a Dana 300 TCase if you get an adapter. Or go with a full Ford drive train.

 

[Old Dog]

Ther's alot of good basic info at this link The New Jeep Tech Pages

 

[3QuarterTon CJ]

If you need to have a pre-75 CJ due to emissions, that sucks.

The pre-76 Jeeps were plagued with very poor frames, they were an open c-channel design that was prone to cracking. When you go to look at whatever Jeep you are thinking about buying, make sure to look over the ENTIRE frame front to back for cracks and missing rivets.

If I were you I'd box the frame on the Jeep you do buy to help strengthen it for wheeling. Or you could buy a shot pre-75 Jeep just for the title then go get a better built 80's Jeep and swap the VIN tags.

But either way, as far as drive train goes, since you like the blue oval bunch, you could find a earlier phord truck or bronco with a 302-351 and the NP-435 cast iron 4 speed and throw that in the Jeep. Then go get a Novak or Advance Adapters adapter to mate that to a Jeep Dana 20 Transfer Case or better yet the Dana 300 .

Now that I think about it, just take the entire running gear from a shoebox bronco and toss that in the Jeep. Since they would have the v-8 and a 9" rear. Options options options.

 

[jasonmark1993]

Man great info guys. Thats what I was looking for!

Thanks for the heads up on the frame issue as well. I've got a welder so if there are some small areas prone to rot I can handle that but I'll be on the lookout like you said. Was it all the way back or just the 70-75 years that had the frame issue?

I live in southern cal so hopefully the one I find has been around here and has little rust.

 

[jasonmark1993]

You guys ever fitted a PS box to a non power steering vehicle?

Bothers me not knowing this stuff, normally Im answering Qs.

If so, are the boxes easy enough to come by?

Thanks!

 

[BusaDave9]

You guys ever fitted a PS box to a non power steering vehicle?

Bothers me not knowing this stuff, normally Im answering Qs.

If so, are the boxes easy enough to come by?

Thanks!

You can go to a junk yard and get a whole set from another CJ. You'll need the gearbox, pump, pump brackets and hoses.

 

[jasonmark1993]

Great thanks. Closest jeep to me has no PS and yellow paint but its a decent price. Sucks living in where I do!

 

[JeepBrah]

Yeah, I'd drive that thing around before giving it 300 more hp. Hahaha.

An off-road vehicle with a lot of power is a deathtrap, and also as fast as an avergae sports car while getting like 5 mpg. =p

 

[jasonmark1993]

Well if I find one with a AMC 304 in it already I might wait awhile. Im trying to get a guy with the straight six to call me back and if I end up with that one I don't think Ill be happy for long. Ive seen quite a few with the 401s in them already so it's not like Id be the first.

But ya I'll be careful...

 

[1986cj7]

You can go to a junk yard and get a whole set from another CJ. You'll need the gearbox, pump, pump brackets and hoses.

Hey bustadave where are you located at? I've looked within a 200 mile radias of Cape Girardeau in missouri and there are no cjs to be found period. Not a frame axle or anything to be found. They all say they don't carry anything that old. So finding any parts besides the internet, is hard pickings.

 

[1986cj7]

Well if I find one with a AMC 304 in it already I might wait awhile. Im trying to get a guy with the straight six to call me back and if I end up with that one I don't think Ill be happy for long. Ive seen quite a few with the 401s in them already so it's not like Id be the first.

But ya I'll be careful...

If you replace the AMC20 with a one piece axle and weld the tubes to the diff. and truss up the tubes to the frame I've been told that it will hold up to a lot of abuse, it also has a bigger ring and pinion gear in the diff. Maybe not a buildt 401 but still pretty tough. As for the Dana 30 it is a good axle and if you do upgrade to alloy axles check on th e 30 spline. Its was the same price when I upgraded but dummy me didn't think of up grading the spline count. Just something to thing about. ANd I gues if your were to do all the trussing and welding of the tubes it maybe easyer to just do an axle swap. Just my 2 cents

 

[BusaDave9]

Hey bustadave where are you located at? I've looked within a 200 mile radias of Cape Girardeau in missouri and there are no cjs to be found period.

I'm in Durango Colorado.
Have you tried eBay or Craigslist?

 

[1986cj7]

I'm in Durango Colorado.
Have you tried eBay or Craigslist?

I didn't even think of craislist, that how I found the jeep in the first place. ON my dads computer and internet. Theres a good story behind that but will save for some other time. Thanks