75 j20 need some answers

[Trey_bo]

tommorow im going to look at a 75 j20 i found in my home town. the guy says its a v8 but he is not sure what one. the truck is a manual trans and he says its a 3/4 ton. he told me it ran 4 years ago but doesnt have spark now and i can have it for $400.00 dollars. my question is what should i look for that could make or break the deal? i just wana kno what too lexpect in the form of motor, tranny, transfer case, and differentials. and is there any special things to look for that makes it a real steal. i have a j10 so the truck will most likely be bought for spare parts if not for another builder i just dont wana walk in blind. anything helps guys......


thanks

[Kevin armstrong]

motor displacement on side of block near motor mount. tranny should be t18 with granny first (most likely not the more desireable 6.32 to one first as they were mostly found in the later 70's rigs. transfer case should be dana 20. rear should be a full floating dana 60 offset to the passenger side and probably 373 gears and maybe 4.10. driveshaft will be running at an angle (rear). front d44 hp spring under disc brakes. check all body mounts, spring mounts, shock mounts. check (or be prepared to replace) all fuel tank rubber lines. Also the vent tube (where it enters the tank) always seems to come loose and leak and make the rig smell like a rolling petrolium plant. Good luck:fsj:

[Trey_bo]

will the interior parts from it work in my 77 j10? there is not one single gauge in my j10 working now... =( and what motor should i expect?

[twisted frame]

Yes, the interior parts will all work on your J10. They're all the same.

Motor could be a couple different choices, so check the side of the block under the engine mount, as described above, if it's an AMC V8. Of course any motor could be in there by now.

[Kevin armstrong]

Probably going to be a 360, but could easily be a 401. If there is a z in the vin, it was a factory 401. The gauges will be a little different and glow green (kinda cool). They are probably interchangeable,but expect some work. Really the gauge part of the bezel is the same I think but the ventilation stuff is a little different. I could look at my rigs tomorrow and verify any differences. The rest of the interior should be swapable. If you come up with a cargo light you dont need (and want to sell) let me know.:fsj:

[Trey_bo]

okay ill let you know on the light and the j10 i have now has green lights in the gauges..... i got it that way...

[jaber]

And take a camera 'cause we want pics....:D

[Trey_bo]

no need for a camera i have one of these fancy smart phones lol it has the web and ifsja is my homepage im on here more than i probably should be :D

[uglyjeep]

tranny should be t18 with granny first (most likely not the more desireable 6.32 to one first as they were mostly found in the later 70's rigs.

The 6.32:1 is the granny first. You're thinking of the close ratio trans (4.02:1 1st) - but my 75 cherokee came with a 6.32 1st.

[Trey_bo]

so is there a way to tell which gears are in the tranny?

[Chris P.]

As far as I know all FSJ t18's came with the 6.32 first gear.

[rocklaurence]

IMO, if there is really a J20 for $400 take it. There is $1500 in parts alone.;)

[KaiserMan]

As far as I know all FSJ t18's came with the 6.32 first gear.

That's correct. No FSJ came with the close ratio T18.

Also, the front is not a HP as posted above, it's a LP D44HD with discs.

And a D60-3 full floating rear.

[Trey_bo]

i went and looked at the j20 and figured i would ask you guys if i should buy it or not it had a d60 rear and the 44 front but it was soa.... the body was 85% rusted and unusable the interior was okay and had the bucket seats i want.... the motor is a 304 i looked on the block but it doesnt run he said it needs a coil. what are your thoughts on what its worth? he is asking 400 for it should i drag it home?

[86j10]

u can always make ur money back off the d60/d44. or you keep em and find a better truck to put em under as long as the soa was done right. plus you'll get the seats out of it that you want:thumbsup:

[KaiserMan]

Front, rear and tranny are well worth the $400. I'd buy it.

[Trey_bo]

there is a few things im confused about.

is the soa stock?
is the full floating front and rear stock?
is the motor stock?

[KaiserMan]

there is a few things im confused about.

is the soa stock?
is the full floating front and rear stock?
is the motor stock?

No-SUA stock
Yes
No-360's where the base motor for J20's, and 304's where only used in the early 70's.

[jaber]

A few months ago I also got a '75 J-20 with a 304, but after running the vin decoder I found out it came with a 360. The 304's tend to go for cheap and would be very appealing for an inexpensive replacement...;)

[Blue & Gray]

According to my factory service manual for 76' the t-18 was optional with 360 2brl power, the 3 speed was standard with 3.73 gears, 4.09's were optional also and could have followed the t-18 into that truck. 4.88's were standard on 6 cylinder 3 speed J20's that year so running the vin to see what should have been there could be interesting. 360 4brl equipped makes the t-18/3.73 standard and 4.09's optional. 4.88's show as only available with the Trac-lok. Could be some really good stuff for a 400 buy in. It would all ready be at my house and I would be in serious trouble over it.

[Trey_bo]

after looking at the truck again today and taking a jeepload of pictures i wrote the vin # down and found out it was a originaly the better of the 360s and a 8000gvw truck and its a 4 speed. ill start a build thread on it this weekend when i get it home and start the disasembly ill be sure to post the thread on here so its easy to find.
my plans for it are from what ive reaed so far on here not everyones favorite look for the fsj but i hope mine may change your mind :) . if all goes as planned the truck build will have:
1) bed removal and tube bed build
2) **(the part you all love so much)** exocage
3) soa and shackle flip
4) bumpers & skid plate builds

these will all be homemade and homegrown ideas spending the least ammount possible.

so stay tuned