Advice on drivetrain setup? Caddy 500, TH400, D18, axles?

[cantdrive55]

Ok I have collected the following parts in the last week. Caddy 500, BOP case for TH400, Dana 18 T-case. I will hopefully have all of those parts ready to install soon. I am now wondering about axles. The caddy engine will be pushing about 550ft lbs of torque so the D44's will probably have to go.

From my research it looks as if a Chevy D60 is best for the front. What's a good price for one?

For the rear I have run into a Ford 9" Nodular for $200. I am thinking it would be strong enough, I know the pinion angle wouldn't be best and that I would have to run the drive shaft at an angle because the pumpkin is centered. Would it work though?

I would like to have it ready for Ouray in August and the funds are limited (probably won't happen but I'll try). Any advice would be much appreciated.

[DrChop]

I have a 500 swapped into my '28 (see sig pic), with 400 auto and a Model 20 twin-stick. Mine came with 44's front and rear in the J-truck donor, with 4.11 gears. I just swapped in a GM 10-bolt to accomplish a SOA, and finished up the steering last night. You may want to run the 44's and see just how long they will hold up. It's my understanding that the 10-bolt front i have has both a larger pinion and ring gear, so I'll hafta see just how long it'll last. I don't get on mine too hard on the trails tho, as it's also my daily driver.

You can see all the swap pics on my website, at www.angelfire.com/extreme3/drchop (http://www.angelfire.com/extreme3/drchop)

Doc

[Banks]

CD55, vipers use 1 d44.If thats good enough for them then 2 is good enough for me.What are you putting this in? What did the 500 come out of?BTW,I found out by accident that in low range my truck will spin all 4 tires...on pavement! :eek: I dont know much about manual t-cases,but if I had to guess,the 18 sounds like your weak link.I think Jeep used the model 20 behind the 400. Marc :cool:

[JeepFreak]

There is a write up in JP mag where they put a Caddy 500 in a CJ. According to them all Caddy 500's were rated at 400 horses and a stump pulling 500 lbs ft of torque. I know these numbers changed for the later years because of compression but oh man that's some power! Banks, did you have to modify the inner fender? The thing I like most about the 500 swap is the fact that the dizzy is up front. Oh yea all that power is good too.

[ March 19, 2002: Message edited by: JeepFreak ]</p>

[scotty]

i know alot of guys think highly of em,but i persnally would avoid the ford 9".it really isnt much stronger than the 44 unless you spend a bunch of $$ on it.

chevy 14 bolts are abundant,cheap,and youll not likely break one.you can prolly buy a couple used,good shape 14 bolts with what you spend making the 9" half as strong. smile.gif

i have broken plenty of rear 44 parts with my 6 cyl. havent had really any trouble yet from the front 44,but if/when i do,i have a d70 that will be going in smile.gif

how long any axle will last depends quite a bit on your driving style and how you use it.

the spicer 18 is alittle weeker that the 20,due to its center to side pwer transfer. i havent had trouble with mine yet,and hope i dont,cause i need to cntinue using it,since its pto drives my winch smile.gif

if you want the unlimate in strength for xfer cases,find a gm th400 and 205 and use that with your bop case.

my $.02 on that,anyway smile.gif

[Banks]

JeepFreak,I have to tell you,with as many "mix-n-match" combinations of other manufacturers hardware that Jeep used over the years[GM,Chrysler,Ford,etc.]I'm really suprised that they never used the Caddy engine! The thing is made for these vehicals! With a 400 trans. applications, this engine fits with NO modifications...NOTHING! As for 550lbs. of torque,I think the 70 model Eldo was rated at that,and that was probably a new motor.I have pulled all emissions on mine and am VERY pleased with performance[doubt it makes 550,but I'm sure its close]. You gotta like:3.25" dia. main bearings, 2.50" dia. rod bearings, SEPARATE replaceable oil pump, 1 1/2 hrs. to replace timing chain and gears[in the truck!],30 minute water pump replacement, 35-40 PSI oil pressure ALL THE TIME! **** easyest engine I've ever worked on, and oh yeah, the dist. is in the front! Marc :cool: [P.S.,can you tell I'm pretty happy!] :D

[JeepFreak]

I may have to try this myself. So what year was the manifolds off of that you used. I know that some of the manifolds used in the Eldorado's will hit the fire wall as they exit straight back. Yours look to have fit really nice. I guess the only down side would be gas mileage huh. But just to be able to say you have 500 cubes under the hood has to make you smile.

What's the weight difference in the two motor's? I do know that the 360 is very heavy.

[ March 19, 2002: Message edited by: JeepFreak ]</p>

[Banks]

The engine in mine is out of a 75 Sedan Deville,stock manifolds work perfect. You do have to use the Eldo rear sump oil pan and pickup, which they appear to be getting REAL proud of[found several @ $200 but finally found one for $100],but, belive it or not I'm getting between 12-14 MPG![I got 10 with my 360].This is probably due to the Q-jet[smaller primaries]. Marc :cool:

[JeepFreak]

Sweet mileage! Just the fact that out of the box the motor has all that power makes it a worthy swap. If I was to get that sort of mileage I would probably wear little pink shoes and dance on the roof of my rig.

[jslamerman]

Wait, Wait a minute? :confused: What do u do about motor mounts!?? I would love to run this in my J10!!! I have a 258 in right now, and I am reluctant to change it for problematic(sorry guys) AMC v8s. That engine stock was made for 4 wheelin and towing!!!!!

[ March 19, 2002: Message edited by: jslamerman ]</p>

[JeepFreak]

Marc's site has all the pictures you could ever want and addresses the motor mounts.

[Banks]

JeepFreak, I forgot about the fender well, no I did not have to modify it, but,after I got the engine in the truck I broke off several ex. manifold bolts.It was pull the engine or trim the fenderwell[to drill out the broken bolts] so I trimmed the well. I intend to bolt that back though. Also MTS list the engine, with all accessories, at 595lbs... Jslamerman, I'm not sure about a 258 swap [are the motor mounts farther forward than a 360?] that would be better, but MTS and CAD. CO. both make motor mount adaptors for $80 and that includes new mounts.You can go to my homepage for my swap details. Marc :cool:

[cantdrive55]

Ok, lot's of questions about the Caddy 500. I have not installed it yet but from the reasearch I've done it is everything it's made out to be and more than most think. Thankyou to Doctorchop and Banks I have been quietly studying both of your set ups. I have also done some research on
Maximum Torque Specialties (http://www.500cid.com/mts/faq.htm)
There are other websites out there though. If you are interested you should really look into JP's latest article on it.

Banks, believe you were asking what mine is out of, it's a 74 Elderado. Chose it because of it's Pan. It should have well over 500ft lbs when I'm done with a minor build.

The Dana 18, I've heard of people running it behind a 1000 horsey engine in sand races. I'm thinking it should hold up to my occasional offroading, if not no biggie I'll go to a Dana 20, I just like the overdrive capability.

The axles...I like Doctorchops idea of run them until they break, only thing is if I can get it built in time for Ouray I'd hate to break one there. Sounds like a 14 bolt is an economical answer. I'll start researching that.

Thanks to everyone who has replied.
Any more advice and opinions are appreciated.

[ March 19, 2002: Message edited by: cantdrive55 ]</p>

[jslamerman]

Got just the setup for ya, Look in the For Sale section, Post by me!!!!! It addresses the axle issues and rims/tires that will fit!!!

[cantdrive55]

Yes thankyou for the offer Jslamerman I was actually just looking at it. However my budget book not only says no, it says HELL NO! I wish I could help you out and solve my dilemma at the same time.

[Retro93]

Banks,

Does Cad. Co. have a web site? I would like to look at their swap offerings.

Thanks,

Kim

[cantdrive55]

Here's the Cad Co website

Cad Co (http://cad500parts.com/index.htm)

[Retro93]

Thanks '55 smile.gif