78 waggy axle swap

hey guys, i did some searching but didnt find an answer, maybe didnt search in the right place(if so, please direct me to it) but was looking at doing an axle swap if not a complete drivetran swap on my 1971 cj5, right now has the 134, 4 spd, and original axles, where as the waggy has a 258, quadratrac, and runs and drives besides brakes, let me know thoughts on this, thanks!

 

258 is way long for a shortfender. Firewall cutting will be necessary hence the reason is '72 AMC lengthened the front fenders and hood and frame. The Quadratrac, while an ok transfer case if in good shape requires special fluid that is expensive and can be hard to get parts for. The TH 400 auto is a great unit but is long. While it can be made to fit, coupled to that engine and transfer case I would say that without wheel base modifications you are going to have a hard time making it fit. By the way, the Quad transfer case may or may not have low range as that is an add on unit.

Lloyd Novak (guy who started Novak Enterprises) years ago said something to the effect that just because you have a motor or transmission does not make it a good swap. Unfortunately that in my opinion that very much applies here.

 

The 258 is a terrific engine, but as Nick wrote way too long for a CJ-5 conversion. It probably could be done, but you'd have to move the firewall back and you are making life difficult by insisting on it. Plus the engine length moves everything else back. Ugh.

The axles will be Dana 44s, and would work well if you outboard the front spring mounts. The rear axle will be offset, and should work well with the Dana 18 transfer case.

The F134/T-98 is a desirable combo and you should expect to get a good price for the T-98 pieces if you decide to swap. A '71 with a F134 and T-98 is a fairly unusual combination ... last year for the F134 domestically.

What do you want out of the swap? IMO the Wagoneer is not the ideal donor, except for maybe the axles, and then only if you want the rubber to be halfway outside of the wheel wells. The Wagoneer axle ratios will be rather tall; 3.54:1 if you are lucky, but most will be 3.31:1. You can regear them ... most would want 4.10, 4.27, 4.55, something like that.

 

I'm running the Waggy axles on my '75, their great off road. Had the same on my flatty. I've still managed to lay them on their side.

 

So, to swap Waggy 44's into these Jeeps, what needs to be done? Do you absolutely have to outboard the front springs? Is the pumpkin in the way of the stock spring location? They are 6-bolt, so would need new wheels or adapters from factory Jeep bolt pattern. What else? How much wider are they than the narrow track CJ axles? And what year Waggy's have the rear 44 offset to work with the Dana18 T-case? And are they flanged rear axleshafts?

 

hey guys thanks for the input, i would like to gain the wider footprint, don't do much for off-roading as of yet, i was thinking that the 258 would be long, but wasnt sure (why i asked you knowledgeable folks) pretty much was offered a rusted out waggy for 250, figured i cant buy a front axle and powersteering for that price anywhere else(speaking of which, has anyone put powersteering on an F?.. havent done that search yet), the running engine and drive were just an added bonus at that point, and if i could make something useful, great.. i'm mostly just using this as a plow truck/ toy (just dont tell the old lady its a toy... strictly work purposes I bought the jeep for)R) so I'm not making a crawler but its beyond the point of resto for my check book so i would like to make some mods that are practical and useful, and work on the body when money allows.... also.. kinda new, and i will do a search so i further understand the advantage/disadvantage of the gear ratios , thanks again guys for the input thus far

 

Sounds like Dan may have had the axle used with the Quadratrac (BW1305 without low range and BW1339 with) transfer case. This axle has quite a lot of offset, and may be too much offset for the width of the CJ frame rails. The Dana 44 axle used with the Dana 20 transfer case is also offset a little, but maybe not enough to match the Dana 18 offset.

 

I know the L134 has been done, and the F134 should be similar. Main problem with PS on the little engines is the parasitic load becomes significant. You won't notice the loss of a few HP on a V8, but you would on a F134. The manual Saginaw steering is an option; not quite power steering, but less effort and more accurate than the factory Ross steering.

BTW the 258 PS parts seem to be in great demand. The buyer would want all the pieces off the front of the engine - all the pulleys, belts and brackets. Also, air conditioning for a 258 ... I'd be interested in those pieces, and so would many FSJ owners, if this Jeep is so equipped.

 

I was also wondering this, if not known, i'll take a measurement this weekend when i go look at the waggy, by the sounds of it I may buy it just to part out even if i decide to not do the axle swap... thanks guys for all the good info, also anyone have any pics of the outboarded springs, I did search that, and the thread that had my answers, the pics were deleted off photobucket

 

Many widths are listed here http://www.jeeptech.com/axle/