Building a flatfender replica..

Ok, my buddy has a rotted out 75 CJ5 (rotted down to the frame) Instead, he would rather ditch the whole thing and build a CJ2A/MB replica with a modern drivetrain using the 75's title. We have working front/rear differentials, transfer case and tranny. I know we can't use the AMC I6..
So..what are my engine options/tranny?

 

I am currently building a 50 cj3a. I have a 1969 225 buick odd fire opened up to use stock 231 pistons. I also used a sm-420 trans with a novak adapter to a dana 18 transfer case and a warn overdrive. These all came from a 69 cj-5. The new 4.3 litre chevy v6 seems to be a popular swap.

 

The 4.3L V6 will fit? in a CJ2? (Will a SBC fit?)
I still need to hunt down a tranny/transfercase/OD unit..
Thanks

 

Warloch has several flatties, all with the V6 in them. There's another member here in Boulder (thejeepgod?) that has a 2A with a SBC in it, seen it wit me own two eyes.

 

My Cj3b had a 283 SBC in it, its tight but it fits! It was too tight for me so I am switching to a 4.3 TBI out of a 90 Blazer. The accesory brackets on the late model motors fit the fenders alot better.
Using the 4.3 will give you the ability to run and trans combo you want.

 

What tranny are you running, Warloch?
I'm getting a new frame all together.. then getting the willys overland complete body kit. We wanna do a CJ2ish, like your red 51, minus the lift and in flat OD green.

 

So, what tranny,transfer case and axles due you have already. Maybe you can use what you got. If you want to look stock, try using a Chevy inline four, the ones used from 1965 thru 1974 in Chevy II's and in mercruiser boats. The mercruiser motors are better, as they came in a bigger displacement and have better heads. You can find them on egay all the time. I run one in my cj2a and has plenty of power and is clean looking under the hood. It almost looks stock and leaves a lot of room in the engine bay to work on stuff. What ever you do have fun!

 

I'm not sure what 3 speed I have in the 75, but if it's original, it's a T14 tranny, and stock Dana 30/44 diffs. How's the MOPAR I4 they used in the 97-06 Jeeps?
(check out my other thread and you'll see what piece of junk all these parts are coming out of)

 

I have a straight six Studebaker 170 cu. in. mounted in my CJ-3A, why not go against the grain a little?

Fuel injection would be nice, however.

Randy

 

I'm going with the 4.3 V6, might wanna back it up with an overdrive tranny (still looking into my options). Now, where to get suspension parts? Not exactly as common as CJ parts..
Thanks

 

I have a buick 225 with an early sm420 tranny mated to a D18 t-case with a homemade half inch thick adapter. Overall the buick makes PLENTY of power for the light little flatty!

Finding any kind of header or exhaust manifolds that will work with a saginaw steering conversion while keeping the exhuast inside the frame is an adventure. I have a stock pass manifold on the pass side with another pass manifold on the drivers side with the collector cut off, a plate welded on the end, and the collector rewelded on just under the middle cylinder. This allows me to keep a dual exhaust inside the frame. Next will be custom shorty headers...or maybe a turbo R)

 

The 4.3 has the most options available, as for the hp, the new ones crank about 240. Not worth the size and weight of an old 350 with only 180hp. There are still a ton of buicks out there, but most of them are gonna need to be rebuilt. Painless makes the wiring pretty easy.

 

Thanks! I didnt know there's so much support for the CJ2/3s..(quadratec doesn't stock much)

 

http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=13
take a look through here. lots of support.
http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25203
list of suppliers

 

I get everything from Carl Walck at www.walcks4wd.com in 2 days here, Brooklyn ought to be next day. Excellent to deal with as well as low prices. One thing, use the phone, he's not big on part numbers. Just tell him what you want to do.

 

For the suspension I would use wrangler springs. Much softer springs so better ride and flex. There is a "how to" on the site here for installation on an early frame. I am in the process of installing on my 74. With the 4.3 (I am considering the same) I think the NV3500 looks like a good canidate for a trans. Small, light, reasonably strong, made to go behind the 4.3, has overdrive. If you can find an S truck donor you could probably use the whole drive train (motor, trans, transfer).

I ran a ford 302 in my 48 CJ2a. It ate radiators. The frame flexes a lot and it would just toss the fan into the radiator. The motor is so long that that is where the water pump ends up. Electric fan would have been a solution but it would have still been a problem. The willlys was very light, doesn't need a lot of power. I sure like the sound of a healthy V8 tho!

 

I like V8s too, but too much engine for the vehicle. Will the 4.3L V6 and the NV3500 fit in the Willys platform?
I'd like to run a 5 Speed, but 4 Speeds will be fine too.