j20 for $100.00

[joynerjeep]

Well I went and bought me another dang JEEP!!!! My wife says that I'm and IDIOT. I know own a 1973 CJ-5, A 96 Grand Cherokee, and my new member a J20( not sure on the year yet). The body is in better shape that most that I seen. NO RUST! I've got a motor in the bed, a Buick 350, the trany is a th400 I think( busted housing), and a quad transfer case. The rear axle was a dana 60 but some guffy pulled the guts out and all I have is a case. I don't have a front axle at all. Well i peed her off even more when i found an old junk wagon for another $100.00. It's got both axles under it, a 44 rear and 30 front. Can anyone give me any advise as where i should start. this is gonna be my everyday truck along with my CJ. OH I almost forgot. I bought a 72 CJ-5 complete and running but the body is very bad shap for $200.00 about a mounth ago. It's got a 304 in it. What should i use a 350 or 304. I want this truck to be just like new when I'm done. Please help me decide.

[porkchop]

Sounds like a good score. I would use the buick 350. It has more torq than the 304 plus you would have to get a different tranny to run with the 304. The 73 came with an adapter plate between the tranny and engine. The tranny was not the AMC pattern until 74, some one correct me if I am wrong. Also I would look for a different front axle than the D30, that is a step backwards. That's my opinion.

[RustyJeep]

Also, the axles in the wag are about 8" narrower than what came stock in the J truck. I would either find some axles from another J-truck or a WT Cherokee. Or you could do like me and put axles from a Dodge or other make under it.

[jode]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by porkchop:
The 73 came with an adapter plate between the tranny and engine. The tranny was not the AMC pattern until 74, some one correct me if I am wrong. <hr></blockquote>

So my '73 J4000 has a normal GM tranny? That means I could scrap the 360 and adapter plate and then throw in a GM 350ci, requiring only new engine mounts, right? Or am I missing something?

:eek:

[Josh D]

Jode,

A Buick 350 would bolt up to your trany without the AMC adapter. A 350 Chevy would require at least a 1 lb. box of 16 P nails and about a gallon of JB Weld to work. Easy right? tongue.gif :D tongue.gif

Josh

[Chero77]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by jode:


So my '73 J4000 has a normal GM tranny? That means I could scrap the 360 and adapter plate and then throw in a GM 350ci, requiring only new engine mounts, right? Or am I missing something?

:eek: <hr></blockquote>

I looked into this issue recently. Apparently, the bolt pattern on the adapter is the Buick Nailhead pattern, not the BOP or Chevy pattern. I did a search of the AMC-list (AMX files) where this question has arisen a number of times and that was the concensus. Also, I posted the question on this board. There was one responder who also said its the Nailhead pattern. So, no, you cannot use just any GM TH400. In fact there are virtually no existing TH400s left with that oddball bolt pattern. These adapters appear on EBAY from time to time and they always sell very cheap. I was wondering if I could use one to mate a 700r4 to the AMC block which is why I looked into this issue.

If by any chance, I have been misinformed, someone please let me know.

[ May 09, 2002: Message edited by: Dave _S ]</p>

[jode]

Hmm
Dad bern Jeep always making stuff that dont work with Chevy

At least we've got JB weld

JD
I'll commence on the adapter fabrication immediatly. I have a few gallons on order that should be here directly :eek:

[joynerjeep]

WELL FELLOWS I HAVE FOUND THE ANSWER TO ALL MY PROBLEMS I HOPE. I FOUND A 78 CHEIF WITH A 360 RUNNING. CAN YOU TELL ME IF THE AXLES WILL WORK. IT'S GOT A SPICER IN THE REAR AND I REALLY COULD NOT TELL ABOUT THE FRONT. OH BY THE WAY I DROVE THE CHEIF AND IT WILL HALL A**.( FOR A JEEP)

[J20 project]

Dave S, Dead on about the tranny, he he I was the responder to your question. Now for everybody's sake. If you find an auto tranny'd 65-73 FSJ, it will have the Buick nailhead pattern th400 mated to an adapter for either a 327 Rambler, 350 Buick, or 360 AMC engine depending on the year. None of them interchange and unless you have an old Buick 401, you won't mate a engine to the tranny w/o an adapter.Probably the hardest to find is the 360 amc as they only used the adapter for approx 2yrs(72-73). After that they changed to a amc cased tranny. The wag axles won't fit nor look right w/o much modification. I agree the 350 would be the best choice for power, etc but not a good choice for parts. They're out there but hard to find. Go w/ an amc motor but not the 304. J20 project