CJ 258 vs FSJ 258

[Archie]

Hello, a new guy to the forum. Short intro:
I've been looking at FSJ's for several years and was on the FSJ email list for a while (never did find a running Cherokee with a 360/4spd...). I just purchaced a new truck (on Mothers day :D )
77 J10 (258/T15/D20/44/44) all stock from the orginal owner (even have the orginal title) Most rust repared, new brakes, new clutch and new 225's. I'm sure I will have lots of questions, but my first one is:

What are the major differences between my CJ's 78 258 and my J10's 77 258? I've heard that the tranny has a longer input shaft (right?) so the trannys are not a direct swap? I think the ignition is different, but not sure.

Also, what is a good stock tire size for these trucks?

I'm also planning on using this truck to flat tow my CJ and take the wear and tear off the XJ, how should it do?

Thanks in advance and since I don't have any pictures on the computer yet of my Truck, here's the info on my other Jeeps smile.gif

78 CJ5 - 258/T18a/D20, D44/D30 Welded, SOA, TFI 33x12.5 Swampers
01 XJ - 4.0/NV3550, 3" lift, OME Shocks, C4x4 rock rails and tow shackles, 235 MT's - ex Tow Rig

http://home.attbi.com/~kperryjr/wsb/media/33930/site1030.jpg

[JEEPGUZZZI]

Welcome!! :D
The 258 is exactly the same. There may be some minor emissions changes. Possibly a different model of carb.
As far as tires; I think a 31 x 10.5 x 15 all terrain tire is almost perfect for what you have in mind to do with your truck. You could go to a 32" tall tire with no trouble.
As for towing your CJ; the J10 should do O.K. with the tranny and engine you have for most situations. Depending on how much other stuff you load it down with, your biggest problem may be long pulls up hills. Not alot of those around MA. are there? :confused: tongue.gif

The cherokee, or J truck for that matter, with a 360 was an upgrade from the base 258. So , nearly all the people who upgraded to the 360 also upgraded to an auto trans.

[ May 16, 2002: Message edited by: JEEPGUZZZI ]</p>

[Panther]

Hey Archie,
Welcome to the board!
Glad you found a FSJ.

I would be a little concerned with the tall 3.00 first gear in the T15. If you can find a CJ or 6cyl FSJ T18a/20 set up, that would be a straight swap to your T15 and give that nice first for towing. I recently swapped the T176 for T18 for the purposes of towing and other things.
Anyway, post some pics when you get some, I'd be interested in seeing it.
Lee

[Archie]

Thanks Lee, so I would need a 258 T18a, a 360 T18a wouldn't work? If I really need it, could I swap my CJ's T18a/D20 with the FSJ's T15/D20? I know how hard these trannies are to find up here.... One thing I'm doing right now is I put my new 225's on (org's from the XJ), smaller tires, better final ratio. :D

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> The cherokee, or J truck for that matter, with a 360 was an upgrade from the base 258. So , nearly all the people who upgraded to the 360 also upgraded to an auto trans. <hr></blockquote>
yep, that is what I found, it was like finding hen's teeth :D

[Panther]

Yeah Arch,
My understanding is that the 6cyl version of the T18a did not have an adapter at the bell housing and your existing set up should not either. I could be wrong on this but I think offroad.com is incorrect in saying that the 6cyl has 3" adapter and V8 has 5" --&gt; http://www.off-road.com/jeep/tech/trans/t18.html
The T18 I just swapped in has 6" BH adapter for the 360. You could used the long shaft version but it will probably set the shifters too far back. The BH adapter (or lack of for 6cyl) basically postions the shifters for all FSJs in the same place.
Lee

[ May 16, 2002: Message edited by: Panther ]</p>

[Archie]

Great, now I just have to find one :rolleyes:

Any idea on the 77 vs 78 ignition? Motorcraft vs Prestolite or something like that? What is the differences, is it major? She's got 75k org. miles, but is running rough (I've rodded out the idle tubes alread, but it still doesn't like to idle at stop signs)

[Archie]

BTT - any help with the engine differences?

[Stuka]

The engines are exactly the same from what I know. The only differance between the tranny setup's is the size of the spacer plate. If you put a T18a in it the spacer for the V8's was 5.5" (i think, would have to go measure) while the spacer for the i6 is 4.5" (or around there) since the i6 is a longer engines and goes closer to the firewall.

[Archie]

Didn't in 78 they changed the ignition type?
I know that my 78 has a silver ignition box on the drivers side (AMC)
The 77 looks like a gold box on the pass. side (???) and the distributer looks different.

Maybe they are the same, I don't know....