J10-chevy swap. Need advice on pros/cons

[psycobilly64]

:confused: I have a '78 jeep J10 and I was considering a swap to a Chevy drivetrain, as my Jeep is missing the trans and t-case.

I have the chance to nab a Chevy runner for $400, and since my truck has Dana 44s I thought it might be fairly simple.

But then again, nothing is simple with a Jeep!

Any advice I may be able to get would be appreciated

[75 FSJ CHIEF]

I was also considering an engine swap to a GM (albeit a big block), there is much to consider. If you try a search under "caddy" you will find a thread titled..."here's one for you guys..." There's some pretty good info that might help or try searching under "chevy swap". Good luck!

[YellowJeep]

You didn't say you were looking at a EFI motor or just a carbed motor. I'll assume you are talking about a carbed motor. I'll start a list:

What you'll need:
Motor/trans/tcase from your runner
Aftermarket motor mounts
Exhaust
Probably driveshafts unless your drivetrain happens to be the same length
Possibly some fabrication on your crossmember so your transmount lines up.

Pros:
You'll have a trans and tcase
You'll have a GM motor which is easier and cheaper to find replacement/performance parts for
Easy to add EFI to later on if you want to go that route
Easy to add overdrive to if you want to go that route

Cons:
Will cost a few $$s. Not a lot if you are doing the work yourself.
Everyone on IFSJA will give you a hard time because you aren't running an AMC motor. You'll probably see a few dozen "you shouda put in a 401" comments too. :D

That's my $0.02. Hope it helps!

[Dr Teeth]

I did a chevy engine swap in my rig... some of the links in my signature might help you.

Usually there's a bunch of reasons to keep the rig stock that people chime in with.... considering you don't have the engine/tranny/tcase, most of those are moot. I'd say if you have a good running chevy as a donor, go for it.

Todd

P.S.
Just thought of this as you put little info about the donor.... Make sure whatever you are using is a passenger side drop on the transfer case like your 78 front d44 front axle, otherwise you are going to be in for a lot more work than is necessary.

[jeepcomj]

pro: it's a jeep

Con: that's a CHEVY motor....


yeayea I'm powering my 86 comanche with a buick 3800...BUT I like to look on the technicality that it says buick not chevy....

[psycobilly64]

I'd rather use MOPAR if I have to do the swap, but all the Dodges I've found are drivers side drop. I really don't want to get into a divorved t-case if I don't have to.

[AlsChopShop]

i'm still waiting for a real reason why someone shouldn't switch to chevy.

i can understand the purist in everyone when we dump the AMC's, but why would you guys go the length of a motor swap and build something that costs way more and is harder to get parts for? :confused: thats just silly.

Al

[addicted]

i'm still waiting for a real reason why someone shouldn't switch to chevy.

i can understand the purist in everyone when we dump the AMC's, but why would you guys go the length of a motor swap and build something that costs way more and is harder to get parts for? :confused: thats just silly.

Al

It's because we're all from Camelot!

[1986 Woody]

As to engine options, it is just a matter of your personal choice. There is nothing wrong with AMC motors if built and maintained correctly. The same with Chevy motors but as someone stated earlier, parts are a little easier to find and more readily available for the Chevy than for the AMC.

You will get a lot of opinions here on this issue and I recommend you evaluate them all but you have to do your own homework and then make your decision. Most people here are a lot better versed with these trucks than I am, as this is my first AMC project, and they raise a lot of good issues but you have to start by setting your goals for your truck and a realistic budget first.

This issue strikes close to home as when I started my project, I was going the purist route. The original goal was to make it look like it did the day it rolled out of the factory. The VIN tag indicated my truck was a ‘77 Cherokee Chief with a 401. When I got the truck, the 401 was long gone and a 360 was sitting in its place. I found two good standard bore 401’s and picked then up and was ready to go.

As I stripped the frame, I got to talking to a member here who was working on a J20 that was nowhere near stock. He was using a big block Caddy motor. When I saw the pictures of his truck, it created a bunch of what ifs with my project. It started with just one ton axles with lockers. Then it lead to tossing out the QT transfer case and going the NP205 route, which made the relocation of the fuel tank necessary as well as new drive shafts. Then the thought was “Why split the drive train between AMC/Chevy?” So instead of changing the tail shaft on the AMC TH400, a Chevy TH400 was decided on and then ultimately a 502 big block. As a result of these decisions, a new cross member and motor mounts were also necessary.

You will get a lot of opinions here and I recommend you evaluate them all but you have to do your own homework and then make your decision. Most people here are a lot better versed with these trucks than I am, as this is my first AMC project, and they raise a lot of good issues but you have to start by setting your goals for your truck and a realistic budget first.


Just review every aspect of a motor swap as it does have ripple affect.