do it right the first time dummy!

[4x4fEvEr]

heres the deal a friend of mine bought a 78 j-20 missing the engine but has the t-18 and dana 20 with 44 and 60 rear. hes wantin to spring it over throw in a 360 and run 38's. i say wrong. i know i did this but ive also had to build mine up twice (stock 44's with 37's) (HD44 with chromos and 60 rear) and now im doin 60/60 np435-203/205 so im just now doin it right.


correct me if im wrong but to run 38's he should sell the t-18 dana 20 and front 44, get a 350 engine sm465 and 205 and 60 front throw in some 5.13 gears and then get the 38's that would save alot of time and money no?

he just needs some feedback and is computer retarded so he needs some professional input (you's guys) to steer him in the right direction. what could simpler than that chevy setup since his engine is already gone.

[Elliott]

He doesn't need to got to a GM engine. Use the AMC bell housing and it can be bored to fit the bearing retainer on a SM465 or he can fit it to a Ford NP435.
If he ran with the 435 he could swap a ford 31 spline input into a large bearing, round bolt pattern GM 205. With this combo either the 205 adaptor or the 205 would need the bolt pattern modified to match (or installing a clocking ring might get'cha there also).
The NP435 is lighter then the SM465 and fits the bell easier, just pull one bolt hole in the bell to match.

[Desert Beast]

i ran 38"s w/ dana 44's and a dana20 for a while. didnt start breaking things till i put in the big block chevy.
that was w/ the 360.

it can be done, just cant be as stupid w/ the skinny pedal.

[Merc69]

It depends on what he wants to do with the rig and what his driving skills are. He could be up and running real quick by dropping in a 360. If he goes that route he can be wheeling while he decides what he wants to do with his rig.

1 ton suspension Dana 60 front and a Dana 70 or 14 bolt rear is a large expence. He could get this after a while and later install the tranny/ transfer case combination he wants.

Moving one step at a time while wheeling is more enjoyable than just building, spending money and not seeing an end to the build.

So basicly I was no help:thumbsup:

[Desert Beast]

Moving one step at a time while wheeling is more enjoyable than just building, spending money and not seeing an end to the build.


NOW you tell me!! :D

[Merc69]

Any time buddy :D

[4x4fEvEr]

Moving one step at a time while wheeling is more enjoyable than just building, spending money and not seeing an end to the build.




this is true but its also more expensive in the end.

Elliot. since the jeep came with no engine and hes a chevy guy i figured settling on a 350 would fit him right. im now hearing thoughts of a TH400 mated to the 205

his driving style is like mine (breaks a lot of Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley!!)

i was breaking 44 shafts with my wore out 360 and 37" tires my first trip out. broke 60 and chromo shafts, sheared the output on the 20 and ended up imploding my 20 with 39.5's

im guessing he would do the same.

[Bob Barry]

this is true but its also more expensive in the end.

Elliot. since the jeep came with no engine and hes a chevy guy i figured settling on a 350 would fit him right. im now hearing thoughts of a TH400 mated to the 205

his driving style is like mine (breaks a lot of Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley!!)

i was breaking 44 shafts with my wore out 360 and 37" tires my first trip out. broke 60 and chromo shafts, sheared the output on the 20 and ended up imploding my 20 with 39.5's

im guessing he would do the same.

In that case, easiest and cheapest thing for him to do would be to buy a 1-ton Chevy truck as a donor, at which point just about the entirety of his fabrication for the swap would be:

* high-steer arm and drag-link
* Spring perches and shock-mounts on rear axle
* Adjust driveshaft lengths

Done, with strength for up to 42's.

[Elliott]

May as well skip the lil stuff then and just spring for an injected 454, there's at least one on the Dallas Craig's List for $1,000 and may have included the tranny.

[Merc69]

OK with the additional information and your desire to direct your friends build...

Skip the Dana 60/ 14 bolt combination and go straight to ROCKWELLS axles are around $1,000.00 for the pair. The cost savings can be applied to the cost of brake conversion and custom wheels. Figure the full hyrdaulic steering into the plan. Include 4 linking the front and rear.

Skip the AMC 360 and go straight to the 454 big block, a NV4500 and install a 203/205 doubled transfer case.

Plan the build, save the money to start the build and wait a year to complete the build.

With a friend that uses the two position accelerator pedal (ON or OFF) build it to prevent breakage and plan on spending a lot of money, time and frustration.

Good luck :fsj:

[BlackBart]

You can break parts with a 350 chevy engine?:confused: :D

[Desert Beast]

Skip the Dana 60/ 14 bolt combination and go straight to ROCKWELLS axles are around $1,000.00 for the pair. The cost savings can be applied to the cost of brake conversion and custom wheels. Figure the full hyrdaulic steering into the plan. Include 4 linking the front and rear.

Skip the AMC 360 and go straight to the 454 big block, a NV4500 and install a 203/205 doubled transfer case.

Plan the build, save the money to start the build and wait a year to complete the build.

With a friend that uses the two position accelerator pedal (ON or OFF) build it to prevent breakage and plan on spending a lot of money, time and frustration.


:D :D
i like they way this guy thinks. :thumbsup:

id go w/ a th400 though. ;)

[Desert Beast]

You can break parts with a 350 chevy engine?:confused: :D

any motor can break anything, ya just gotta be good at it. :thumbsup:

[wickedwagon767]

I think its pretty clear what the guy should do. We've already established the fact that he loves the stupid pedal.The Dana44 front should go. The 60 rear is a keeper unless he's planning on running 40+" tires , and one vicious big block. Basically, if the guy doesn't know to keep his foot out of it when the boogar starts to bounce, then the 44 needs to go.

IF he's a chevy guy, why buy a J20? I would say stick with an AMC 360/390/401 because of the cool factor with either a TH400/205 or 203/205 doubler....or take ELLIOTS advice on the NP435 for super low gearing. If he's willing compromise his chevy badge to buy a nearly complete Jeep truck why bother staying gung-ho chevy. Its up to him, and small/big block chevy or Cadillac big-blocks are fairly easy swaps into FSJ's. There are aftermarket headers,radiators and motor mounts ready and waiting.

The possibilities are endless and so many combos will work great,but without knowing who this guy is,what his resources are, what kinda cash he has to spend blah,blah...........I say spend the $$ on a factory chevy kingpin Dana60 front for around a grand with matching 4.10's (assuming the J20 has 4.10's).Source a compete ,stock,running TBI 454 (motor mounts,swap headers and 4-core radiator) ,an SM465 or NP435 and a chevy NP205 ..........build a crossmember,mount them up and run it like that. Leaving room for future improvements like a doubler and/or JB Conversions' LoMax case and gears......motor build,etc..That combo is strong,capable,fairly simple leaves plenty of room to grow.Of course the suspension and steering mods have to come into play all at the same time since, I'm assuming he's going to mount a front SOA.

And if the 60 rear should meet its demise he can always grab a corp 14bolt FF rear for some change. Or better yet, snag a CUCV 14BFF with 4.56 gears and a Detroit already waiting inside, for around $500-600.

Beyond that, if he doesn't plan to drive it on the street

Rockwells all the way baby!

[4x4fEvEr]

you crazy kids! i forgot to mention he was poor! which brings up the question why even get into this stuff.

he likes chevy engines and jeeps to go 4wheeling. i just found a running 350 matted to a TH400with a 205 for $250 bucks. so there it is. got the drivetrain. i havent talked him out of the 44 yet, but i have 2 sets of spares that i dont need now so maybe that will last us a trip or two.:drivin:

[380tom]

you crazy kids! i forgot to mention he was poor! :drivin:

Then he fits right in the FSJ world :thumbsup:

[wickedwagon767]

you crazy kids! i forgot to mention he was poor! which brings up the question why even get into this stuff.

he likes chevy engines and jeeps to go 4wheeling. i just found a running 350 matted to a TH400with a 205 for $250 bucks. so there it is. got the drivetrain. i havent talked him out of the 44 yet, but i have 2 sets of spares that i dont need now so maybe that will last us a trip or two.:drivin:

Ha, work harder! He'll either swap the 60 up front or you will be down there with him on the trail busting your knuckles changing out axles:D. You'll be able to say I told ya so, but it kinda sucks at that point.

[Merc69]

Add some sort of traction adder, aggressive limited slip, a locker, spool or weld the rear axle. Teach him to drive with a little care and the axles will last a little longer.

In the meen time start saving for a set of Rockwells...he will need the low gearing for that 205.

[4x4fEvEr]

he can drive, this is his 4th trail rig, but the others have been xj's and a cj-7

rockwells are out, i think they are overkill if you arent runnin over 44's

the beefiest he will get is 14 bolt/60 runnin 5.89 gears or something similar

[Desert Beast]

rockwells are out, i think they are overkill if you arent runnin over 44's


:D
you just dont wheel hard enough. :thumbsup: