Swapping Transmissions

[ZionJeeps]

I have taken on a few jeep projects and this site, forum, and users have been a massive assest to me; thank you all who have answered my questions so far.

Here goes the next question.

I have an 81' CJ7 AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l , 4-speed, Dana 300 , and a 83' CJ7 , AMC 304 , 3-speed, Dana 300 .


the 81' I am putting an Automatic into over the next few weeks.

The 3 speed in the 83' is worn out and needs work.

I am wondering if I can put the 4-speed into the 83'.

Questions are super helpful for me, I am trying to learn as much as possible.

Thanks for all the Help!

Rob

p.s. I will start a thread with pics about the projects soon!

 

[Saddle Tramp]

The short answer is “yep”. The bell housings will interchange between all of the AMC I6 & V8s so just swap the bell housing, clutch system, and Transmission from one to the other. Both should be Dana 300 transfer cases.

 

[BC CJ]

and for the long answer; find out which 4 speed you have. If it is the T-176 then go ahead with this. If it is the SR4 or T-4 then the V8 will likely wreck the tranny.

I had an 81 CJ5 with AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l and a 4speed and it was the T-176 so I'm thinking you have the good 4 speed (heck, you might even have the even better T-18 !). Easy way to tell is the shifter location. The T-176 has the shifter on the top cover of the case, the other two have a shifter at the back of the Tranny.

Look here: The Novak Conversions Transmission Information Gateway

just hover over the names for a pic of the Transmission .

 

[BusaDave9]

I'm confused by this jeep:
83' CJ7 , AMC 304 , 3-speed, Dana 300
The AMC 304 wasn't available in '83. It must have been swapped in there. And CJs never had 3 speeds mounted to the Dana 300 . The 3 speed must have been adapted to fit the Dana 300 . Are we sure that's a Dana 300 ? I would think this swap would have been much easier if the PO too the whole driveline from a '70s jeep and put it in that CJ.
The rear of the Dana 20 looks like the Dana 300 . Look at how the shift linkage is attached. The Dana 20 has a tubular bar sticking out the front of the Transfer Case . This bar is held on by 2 square head bolts on the Dana 20 . The shift lever attaches to that.

Dana 20
​

The Dana 300 has 2 tabs on the front that the shift linkage mounts on.

Dana 300

If you have a Dana 20 TCase then you have the drivetrain of a '70s jeep and the 4 speed you have won't fit without a lot of work. I would get a Jeep T-18 .
​

 

[ZionJeeps]

Busa you have been a huge help!

This jeep is confusing me as well:

I looked up the numbers and it did originally come with a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l with a 5 speed. Nothing on the jeep seems to be matching up well at this point; and I am getting a steep learning curve.

As for the Swap it is going well at this point; I already had a Dana 300 attached to the 4 speed, so that has simplified the swap quite a bit.

Thanks,

Rob