TF 727 swap lessons learned
CJJeeper
Jeeper
Haven't posted for well quite some time now and I have been k we deep and half drunk in what was thought a "simple" Transmission swap. I researched for many months before undertaking this project and I just want to pass on the lessons that I have learned and the various problems that I have encountered and still trying to figure out.
I swapped out a T-176 behind a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l and read that the 727 was a good choice. They are fairly easy to find and cheap so I found one. Here is where it all started
Once receiving the Transmission I took the TC off and found metal in there. Took the pump off and it turned out to be the lugs that the TC catches so be sure if anything you check that.
It took a while and many phone calls to find the right pump but there are many people out there to guide you in the direction.
Finally getting the Transmission right I managed to get everything bolted to the engine. The flexplate and hardware was very self explanatory just be sure that you don't get a weighted flexplate. O'Reilly auto was my parts store for all of this.
Now all the fun stuff
First problem was getting the bm shifter that I purchased hooked up and positioned correctly
With the Transmission mounted it is very tight so you must be careful routing the cable so it won't bind. Adjustment is fairly easy.
Then hooked up the lokar kickdown cable. Fairly simple as well. I have a weber carb and all I did was drill a hole and make it all work at the bracket. Be sure that you find a drinking buddy to smash the gas while you make the adjustment at the carb
Got all the cables good to go so now I am to the Transmission lines. I ran an auxiliary cooler along with the radiator and just ran all soft lines with brass fittings not sure how its gonna go but that's where I'm starting. If you have some insight on the lines I'm all ears.
Transfer Case bolted up just fine. No issues at all. So now I can see my driveshafts. Rear is to long by about 2 inches and the front is around 3 inches short. So now gonna have to go find a guy and get those right.
Jacked it all up to where I wanted it and put the skid plate on. Here is an issue that I am currently dealing with a s the Transmission mount on the 727 is a lot higher then it was with the 176. What I am currently trying is a 2 in square tube that bolts to the Transmission then to the poly bushing that I had from the previous Transmission . So far its not gonna work because I only need about a 1 inch drop instead of 2 inches as thought. From there where it sits on the skit plate is right where it starts to dip down to a new tier on the pan so still working this one out. If you have some suggestions please let me know just a heads up for those looking at this swap be prepared for that
I have headman headers that I took off and wrapped while everything was off. Re installed and the bracket for the bm shifter sits drivers side bolted to the Transmission pan well of course the managed to get in the way of everything as well. So now what I have is instead of a strait pipe heading back right from the collector I went 45 degrees towards the frame rail and then 45 degrees back to the muffler. Quite a tight fit and if you don't have access to a welder I assume this problem would be a little note of a PITA. I'm not sure for those of you with a manifold how this problem is. I'm pretty sure that even without the bm bracket the exhaust ways to head strait to the pan so keep that in mind when you plan.
You will also have to modify the Dana 300 shifter as everything is shifted back about 3 inches so either bund it or cut sheet metal. I will be opting for bending
It has been quite the road with what I thought was a simple swap but it has been fun. Many lessons learned and just like any project big or small there will always be something that hangs you up. Looking forward to having an auto in my jeep and thanks for reading hope this helps someone I'm sure I missed something I have had to deal with so if you have any questions just let me know
I swapped out a T-176 behind a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l and read that the 727 was a good choice. They are fairly easy to find and cheap so I found one. Here is where it all started
Once receiving the Transmission I took the TC off and found metal in there. Took the pump off and it turned out to be the lugs that the TC catches so be sure if anything you check that.
It took a while and many phone calls to find the right pump but there are many people out there to guide you in the direction.
Finally getting the Transmission right I managed to get everything bolted to the engine. The flexplate and hardware was very self explanatory just be sure that you don't get a weighted flexplate. O'Reilly auto was my parts store for all of this.
Now all the fun stuff
First problem was getting the bm shifter that I purchased hooked up and positioned correctly
With the Transmission mounted it is very tight so you must be careful routing the cable so it won't bind. Adjustment is fairly easy.
Then hooked up the lokar kickdown cable. Fairly simple as well. I have a weber carb and all I did was drill a hole and make it all work at the bracket. Be sure that you find a drinking buddy to smash the gas while you make the adjustment at the carb
Got all the cables good to go so now I am to the Transmission lines. I ran an auxiliary cooler along with the radiator and just ran all soft lines with brass fittings not sure how its gonna go but that's where I'm starting. If you have some insight on the lines I'm all ears.
Transfer Case bolted up just fine. No issues at all. So now I can see my driveshafts. Rear is to long by about 2 inches and the front is around 3 inches short. So now gonna have to go find a guy and get those right.
Jacked it all up to where I wanted it and put the skid plate on. Here is an issue that I am currently dealing with a s the Transmission mount on the 727 is a lot higher then it was with the 176. What I am currently trying is a 2 in square tube that bolts to the Transmission then to the poly bushing that I had from the previous Transmission . So far its not gonna work because I only need about a 1 inch drop instead of 2 inches as thought. From there where it sits on the skit plate is right where it starts to dip down to a new tier on the pan so still working this one out. If you have some suggestions please let me know just a heads up for those looking at this swap be prepared for that
I have headman headers that I took off and wrapped while everything was off. Re installed and the bracket for the bm shifter sits drivers side bolted to the Transmission pan well of course the managed to get in the way of everything as well. So now what I have is instead of a strait pipe heading back right from the collector I went 45 degrees towards the frame rail and then 45 degrees back to the muffler. Quite a tight fit and if you don't have access to a welder I assume this problem would be a little note of a PITA. I'm not sure for those of you with a manifold how this problem is. I'm pretty sure that even without the bm bracket the exhaust ways to head strait to the pan so keep that in mind when you plan.
You will also have to modify the Dana 300 shifter as everything is shifted back about 3 inches so either bund it or cut sheet metal. I will be opting for bending
It has been quite the road with what I thought was a simple swap but it has been fun. Many lessons learned and just like any project big or small there will always be something that hangs you up. Looking forward to having an auto in my jeep and thanks for reading hope this helps someone I'm sure I missed something I have had to deal with so if you have any questions just let me know
