just looking for some opinions

I have the job many would only dream of. I work at a scrap recycling facility and have the opportunity to buy what ever comes in the yard. Well a few weeks ago a 71 cj5 came in, complete with engine, trans, and axles ). I looked at it and other than rusted floors in places it was fairly solid. I decided to buy it and brought it home(after selling the half cab top I only have 14.00 dollars in it), thinking I will get it running and have a good little toy. Since then an early bronco frame came in less body. I looked at it and found out that it had a locker in the rear, heavier duty axles and lockers, how great is that? Then I got to thinking I'll put the small block in for a little more pep, too. Earlier this week I saw a toyota come through with diesel on the door. I decided to look at it and saw that everything was there. After a little research I thought that a diesel would be cooler than the gas burner. One of my co-workers found a five speed with a driverside drop transfercase that will work with the ford frontend. All early five speed trannys that came behind gas burners will bolt up.
So what does everyone think about this combo? Is it a little overkill and ultimate sin to jeeps everywhere or do I have something that sounds like it would be a good rig? My options are always changing since people will scrap anything and everything. I'll try to post some pics once I get time to take them. Thanks for all opinions good, bad, or otherwise.

 

sounds like your gonna be having way to much fun.. bronco's had a traction lock rear end if it is stock you'll be cookin they are way cool

 

No the 9-inch has some silicone on the housing where it has been taken apart before. I can spin the pinion and hold one of the axles and it makes a poping noise like it has a detroit in it. I am going to take it apart to verify what locker it has and the gear ratio. Also I forgot to mention earlier that it has already had a spring over done on it. What size tire can I run with this lift? I am not going to be doing alot of rock crawling, mainly mud bogging. I may take a trip to some trails in the tri-state area but mainly just looking for mud.

 

The diesel sounds super cool

 

Cool project. Check out jeep2diesel.org - they have some ideas there that may help out.

 

Sounds like a lot of fun to me. My opinion on motors would have to go to the v8 if your going to be spending most of the time in the mud. If it was split and you wanted to do alot of various wheelin with it, then I would go with the diesel for the luggin ability and plus who dont like the sound of clatter while wheelin? The v8 will give you the ability for more power and higher RPMs which is crucial if in the mud. Good luck on the build and lets see some pics!

 

The Ford 9" has a low pinion, in a short wheel base rig that is gonna be an issue with the rear driveshaft angle.

Additionally, the D44 out of a Bronco (early Bronco) has the little u-joints, same size that came in a comparable ICJ5 Dana 30 with disc brakes.

Also the 9" will most likely have 28 splined shafts, you REALLY want to get a set of the 31 spline shafts. Also the EB 9" has funky outers, so adapater to some of the cool race stuff such as disc brakes and things can be a chore. Plus that early Bronco D44 is probably drum brakes. But can easily be converted to discs. The Ford internally splined hub design is stronger than the external types used in Jeeps.

I've had two Jeeps that used mainly Ford drivelines. An NP435 is a strong tranny, only it's really a usable 3 speed, as the granny gear is really too low for street use. If you find a five speed that fits within the wheelbase, then you stumbled across something no one else has been able to find, or you plan on stretching things.

Moidifications in these little Jeeps revolve around three commanding issues:


1) Wheelbase,


2) Wheelbase,


3) Wheelbase.


Sure you can get creative, and you have a pile of parts at your disposal, so you can do a lot of experimenting.

 

Well to respond to your coment about wheelbase Long&Low, I measured the overall length of the yota setup, from the front of the radiator to the rear driveshaft flange and it appears to only be three or four inches longer than the jeep drivetrain. Now that is considering taking the radiator and mounting it to the grille between the headlights like many have to do with a V8 swap.
Now on to your response '72CJ5, I know that a V8 would give me more rpm's to turn the tires but I'm not talking about going to the biggest hole I can find and see if I can follow a truck with 44's but here in MS there are no trails that I know of. So the only real offroading that can be done is in a persons pasture or on an old dirt road that no one uses anymore. Now I would like to go to some of the trail rides in AL or AR if I ever had the chance. Also the diesel was advertised at 40MPG on the highway when it was new. So the added mileage would be real nice considering if I did go out of state to not have to stop at every other gas station I see.
But as promised I will try to get some pics tomorrow if I can get off work before it gets dark. Keep the comments coming, any and all opinions are welcome.
Thanks droff85

 

Oh I forgot to mention that I found what looks to be a brand new (still had the plastic plugs in the fitting holes) John Deere hydraulic steering ram today. I found a forklift in the pile that has the steering "gear box" on it. I am going to get the crane operator to set it out for me to rob the parts I'll need. I thought about doing this to simplify power steering and since I am 6'0" and 265 I don't fit behind the factory wheel and column very well. I can take the "gear box" and mount it to the firewall with the steering column more horizontal to make it a little more comfortable for me.

 

As promised before here are a few pics for your entertainment

Some of the donor truck


Sorry for the blurry shot, my camera took a little while to take the shot in the dim light.
Now the donor parts I have picked up here and there


And something for the family guys. I found this in the scrap and bought it for my nephew

 

You definitely do not want to use that Toyota diesel in the Jeep. I had two of those little Toyota trucks with the 2.2 diesel and they are a great little engine but they are only 53HP I believe. They barely have enough power to get out of their own way let alone power a heavier Jeep with big tires. It will be useless in the mud. They do get great miliage but I am telling you they are sooooo gutless. You need to seriously think about your project there before you get to ripping and tearing. I am not even sure the axle swapping is such a good idea. My suggestion is the V8 and maybe the axle swap and keep the driveline as short as possible. The only thing I would even consider using that Toyota diesel in would be a otherwise near stock flatfender. Good luck with the project.
Greg

 

Yes, I'd forget about that toyota diesel. Maybe in a lightweight flatty. My old roomate had one in his old toyota truck. Even after porting, polishing and a bigger turbo than stock, it still had essentially the same power as my stock 200k mile 22re in my toyota truck. It will get good mileage though.

Otherwise it looks like a fun project.

Kevo

 

Ok so what do you think about a Ford 300-6? I found a F-150 that came in Friday that I got the brakes off of and it had a 300-6 and manual tranny. The only problem is that I broke the bellhousing flipping it over with the crane. But I have had a lot of experience with these motors since I used to be a Ford mechanic and my dad owns my old dd truck that has one in it. I know they make great power but I'm not sure if it will fit in the early CJ since they changed the length a little to accomidate the inline six and the V8's later. I also know that I'll have to try and make a BIG radiator fit to keep that thing cool.

 

Alright another quick question. How well will the stock Dana 25 or 27 and the rear Dana 44 hold up to a set of 33-12.50 or possibly a set of 35-12.50? And what kind of power am I going to be able to get from little four cylinder that is in the truck now?

 

The 3oo's in the fords are are good motor for sure. Alot of people stuff v8's and all other kinds of motors in the early cj's so if there is a will, there is a way if you want to use that motor. Your front axle will live decently with 33's with careful driving but with 35's, you would be asking for it. The Dana 44 however, will survive without issues to either tire. For the type of wheeling you mentioned earlier, i would stick with 33's especially if your tossing the idea around to keep the 4 banger in the jeep. As for power of the little motor, Im not really sure but there is a lot of knowledge of them on this web site so look around and im sure you'll find your answer.

 

Teh ford 300-6, is longer than a Jeep 4.0ltr or 258.

 

Long&low after I read that the Ford 300 was almost 33 inches, or that's what the guy thought, I measured the length from firewall to rad support. There would be no room for a radiator. So I decided to just use a sbc. I watched some regular customers bring a truck in that they had been using to haul scrap with a few days before and pulled the motor out today. Unfortunately the bell housing had gotten busted when handling the vehicle.

Warloch I thought that was a 4 speed out of a car!! How do you make them work? Are those special models or are they the same thing that came in say a Nova or Chevelle? And what adapter do you use for the transfer case? Is it one specific for that trans? Please explain. I know there was a 3 speed I found a few days ago but I also know where 2 or 3 4 speeds are. If they will work I might go buy one.