School me on 8 lug Cherokees

[GI-John]

I'm pursuing a 76 Cherokee that the owner said had a 360/T18/D20/HD44/60 combo from a J truck swapped under when new.

Can anyone school me on this type of conversion? Was it factory? Rare? Wheel size? Problems? My searches did not give any results.

Thanks in advance,

John

[mdill]

Never offered from the factory, the axles are likely from a J-20 (3/4 ton).
The front axle is a bolt in, the rear would need the shock mounts and spring perches relocated.
The 8 lug wheels are common to most other 3/4 ton truck of the era, so tires wheels are not an issue (It may have the now odd ball 16.5" rims, but other rims can be had. )
Rare (?) sure I guess, but lot of things are rare, don't confuse rare with valuable or desirable.

Mike D.

[duncanstives]

...However if you plan to wheel it the 60 is nice and the 44hd, while its no 60, will not hurt either... I would not pay a huge premium and check that the install looks solid and safe before buying it.

[GI-John]

The owner said it comes with a set of 17" H2 Rims (which I have on my Ram also)
What size rims were stock?
I'm not sure of the details (taking a look and lots of pictures on Sunday) but the drivetrain seems fairly bulletproof.
The kicker is that this is seemingly rust free. I can work the mechanicals,but am really leery about bodywork.

John

Edit:
This will be a semi-long term resto-build; mostly turning heads around town, towing a horse trailer, and mild wheeling.

[shackwrrr]

that era I believe that they had 16.5 rims