Axles and Trans./transfer swap

[qmotoman]

Three part question:
I have a donor 85 J10. Are the axles on the J10 the same width as the axles on 82 Wag? Also, I want to swap out the manual trans. and transfer case out of the J10 and put in the Wag that has 727 w/ a 229 transfer case. What would it take to make the swap? Would it be a pain? Thanks for any information

[heydave]

Axles are wider on the J-ten. Tranny and transfer case and related linkage should bolt in. Different length driveshafts may be needed though.

[TexasJ10]

Qmotoman, Welcome to the board. The j-10 axle will definitely be wider, but you could compensate with rims with greater backspacing. Standard FSJ rims have 3 5/8" backspacing, if you use some after market rims with 4 5/8 of backspacing you might be pretty close. By the way, what does the rest of the j10 look like. I still need some body parts.

[qmotoman]

I not sure what the body looks like. I will be picking it up this weekend. Will the J10 trans. mate up with my 360? Will I need to change the flywheel?

[TexasJ10]

You will need a manual flywheel for a 360 which you should be able to get from the j10. The drive train should be a bolt in affair, but it will take you awhile since you will need to remove the pedal assembly, clutch linkage, and probably the steering column unless you don't mind having the old shift lever hanging there. The hump cover from the J10 should bolt into your wag and the shifter will be in the right place. You are doing it the right way by having the entire donor vehicle available for all of the parts that you will need. The only pieces I'm not sure about are the drive shafts. I don't know whether they will be the right length. Email me when you get a look at the body.

[FSJeeper]

The J-10 rear axle will not bolt into the WAG. You will have to move the spring perches to get it to fit.

[TexasJ10]

I forgot about the wider truck frames, FSjeeper is absolutely right. The rear axle will not bolt in.

[Heimeken]

Welcome to the board.

You didn't mention if that J10 had a V8, most don't and that's a problem. If it's a v8 the swap is pretty much much as Texas said, but the tranny from a l6 will leave the shifter under the dash. I have wide track axles and T176 from a donor V8 that swapped in just fine. I don't mind the wide axles with a big lift, no lift could cause u rubbing problems on your fenders.

[qmotoman]

The Tranny is from I6. Can the swap still be done with the I6 Trans? What mods, if any can be done? Does the crank in the 360 have or need the pilot bushing.

[FSJeeper]

Yes, the swap can still easily be done. You will have to cut another hole in the transmission cover because your shifter will be 6" to 7" forward. The shifter should not hit the dash, but if you have clearance problems, you can always bend the shifter. There are 2 sets of transmission crossmember holes on the frame, you will need to use the set that is further forward on the frame.

The 360 crank will be drilled for the pilot bushing and all you need to do is buy one and install it. It will not have a pilot bushing installed since it came with an auto, but the pilot bushing recess will definitely be there.

But for the rear axle spring pads needing to be moved, and most likely your driveshafts needing to be sized to fit, this is a 100% bolt in job.

[Heimeken]

I wouldn't do the I6 tranny swap into a V8 because as FSJeeper said, you'd have to account for the tranny being further forward, bending and cutting, but also consider that the drive shafts will have have to be modified and if you ever lift your truck the front pinion angle will have to be negotiated.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Also you will need the Flywheel from a 360. The Flywheel from the I6 is not balanced for the 360