1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

80s auto transmission in a 74?

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by mnypitCJ, Jan 26, 2010.

  1. Jan 26, 2010
    mnypitCJ

    mnypitCJ Member

    Deland FL
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2009
    Messages:
    51
  2. Jan 27, 2010
    aallison

    aallison 74 cj6, 76 cj5. Has anyone seen my screwdriver?

    Green Cove...
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2006
    Messages:
    1,929
    CJ5's and autos dont work very well to gether. Especially if the cj has any lift. The auto tranny's are a bunch longer than the manuals and that causes the rear driveshaft to be really short. It's not undoable but it's not easy either.
     
  3. Jan 27, 2010
    mnypitCJ

    mnypitCJ Member

    Deland FL
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2009
    Messages:
    51
    OK I guess that is off the table then. The guy sold it anyway, so I will stop looking now.
     
  4. Jan 27, 2010
    dnb71R2

    dnb71R2 SuperDave 2023 Sponsor

    Grand Mesa, CO
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2006
    Messages:
    1,362
    aallison is 100% right on.
    The CJ7 was created with a longer wheelbase to accommodate the automatic. If a person really wants a CJ with an automatic, he/she should get a CJ7.
     
  5. Jan 27, 2010
    mnypitCJ

    mnypitCJ Member

    Deland FL
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2009
    Messages:
    51
    I am actually looking for a CJ8, but I am not getting rid of this. I just found such a good deal, I was gonna give it a try. My tranny and clutch were just rebuilt, but they put the wrong fluid in. Now that I have a better fluid in there it shifts flawlessly. Its just a bitch on rocks and steep hills.
     
  6. Jan 27, 2010
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
    Messages:
    8,524
    it can be done
    I know of one 75 that has a 727/D20 from a Scout II in it.
    the front driveshaft angle was creative, as he had to angle it away from the trans case for clearance.
    it's a 2 piece design
    anyway, the Jeep had been used off road for over 20 years, no major issues with it.
    I'll post the photos for the front; don't think I have any of the rear shaft.
     
  7. Jan 27, 2010
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
    Messages:
    8,524
  8. Jan 29, 2010
    mnypitCJ

    mnypitCJ Member

    Deland FL
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2009
    Messages:
    51
    Thanks for all the info. I think I will stick with what I have for now. Seems like a lot of work for a little return.
     
  9. Jan 29, 2010
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
    Joined:
    May 25, 2006
    Messages:
    2,882
    Just ask someone who has actually been running autos in short Jeeps. I run 400 turbos behind Buick v6s and have built more then a dozen of them. You just have to move the engine and radiator forward. Just because the Novak site says you can't do it doesn't make it so. Is it a easy bolt in? NO. With mild to moderate fab skills it is easy to do. Depending on how you do it, the average rear driveline ends up at 14". My Avatar is actually the wife's Jeep that has over 15,000 miles on it with a 231/400 turbo/20tc.
     
  10. Jan 29, 2010
    jinpdx

    jinpdx Member

    Caldwell, ID
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2008
    Messages:
    121
    A V6 is alot shorter than a I6 or V8.
     
  11. Jan 29, 2010
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    8,360
    So is the front of the Jeeps they came in.
     
  12. Jan 29, 2010
    mnypitCJ

    mnypitCJ Member

    Deland FL
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2009
    Messages:
    51
    I was kinda thinking the same thing, My 304 is sitting way close to the radiator allreadey. I will have to look into it.
     
  13. Jan 30, 2010
    76_iron

    76_iron New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2009
    Messages:
    4
    I have a 74 with a 4.0, TF999, D300. I didn't do the work on it but it looks like stock motor mounts were used, and it has a stock shortened rear driveshaft. It doesn't vibrate at 55, but the rear shaft would bind at the yokes at full droop until I lowered the transfer case .75". It has no lift and the springs are worn out, I don't know if it would work with any lift at all.
    Posted via Mobile Device
     
  14. Jan 30, 2010
    Sparky74cj

    Sparky74cj Member

    Naches, Washington
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2009
    Messages:
    146
    I do not have a auto in my 74, but I run in the mountains on some pretty nasty terrain. A few guys I run with have 2A's with chev V8's and TH350's and a Spicer 18. Although I will agree it does tend to get tight under there, it is defenately duable. these Willy's run very well with 33 inch tires and a couple inches of lift. I myself have seen a lot of rigs running trails with mods that people say can't be done.
    I myself have penciled the SM465 trans swap and come up with about the same length as a auto after the adapters in front and rear for my D20 and AMC 304.
    It would be a little work but any swap would be!
     
  15. Jan 31, 2010
    jinpdx

    jinpdx Member

    Caldwell, ID
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2008
    Messages:
    121
    A TH350 is shorter than a TH400.
     
  16. Jan 31, 2010
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
    Joined:
    May 25, 2006
    Messages:
    2,882
    Very true, but the t-400 came stock in Jeeps and bolts up without any additional expensive adapters behind Buick motors.
     
  17. Jan 31, 2010
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    8,360
    Yes. The TH350 has a lower 1st. gear, which would be an advantage IMO.
    I guess you pick your poison, and parts availability (what can you find easily) would be a determining factor.
     
New Posts