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80s auto transmission in a 74?

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by mnypitCJ, Jan 26, 2010.

  1. mnypitCJ

    mnypitCJ Member

  2. aallison

    aallison 74 cj6, 76 cj5. Has anyone seen my screwdriver?

    CJ5's and autos dont work very well to gether. Especially if the cj has any lift. The auto tranny's are a bunch longer than the manuals and that causes the rear driveshaft to be really short. It's not undoable but it's not easy either.
     
  3. mnypitCJ

    mnypitCJ Member

    OK I guess that is off the table then. The guy sold it anyway, so I will stop looking now.
     
  4. dnb71R2

    dnb71R2 SuperDave 2023 Sponsor

    aallison is 100% right on.
    The CJ7 was created with a longer wheelbase to accommodate the automatic. If a person really wants a CJ with an automatic, he/she should get a CJ7.
     
  5. mnypitCJ

    mnypitCJ Member

    I am actually looking for a CJ8, but I am not getting rid of this. I just found such a good deal, I was gonna give it a try. My tranny and clutch were just rebuilt, but they put the wrong fluid in. Now that I have a better fluid in there it shifts flawlessly. Its just a bitch on rocks and steep hills.
     
  6. jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    it can be done
    I know of one 75 that has a 727/D20 from a Scout II in it.
    the front driveshaft angle was creative, as he had to angle it away from the trans case for clearance.
    it's a 2 piece design
    anyway, the Jeep had been used off road for over 20 years, no major issues with it.
    I'll post the photos for the front; don't think I have any of the rear shaft.
     
  7. jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

  8. mnypitCJ

    mnypitCJ Member

    Thanks for all the info. I think I will stick with what I have for now. Seems like a lot of work for a little return.
     
  9. Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Just ask someone who has actually been running autos in short Jeeps. I run 400 turbos behind Buick v6s and have built more then a dozen of them. You just have to move the engine and radiator forward. Just because the Novak site says you can't do it doesn't make it so. Is it a easy bolt in? NO. With mild to moderate fab skills it is easy to do. Depending on how you do it, the average rear driveline ends up at 14". My Avatar is actually the wife's Jeep that has over 15,000 miles on it with a 231/400 turbo/20tc.
     
  10. jinpdx

    jinpdx Member

    A V6 is alot shorter than a I6 or V8.
     
  11. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    So is the front of the Jeeps they came in.
     
  12. mnypitCJ

    mnypitCJ Member

    I was kinda thinking the same thing, My 304 is sitting way close to the radiator allreadey. I will have to look into it.
     
  13. 76_iron

    76_iron New Member

    I have a 74 with a 4.0, TF999, D300. I didn't do the work on it but it looks like stock motor mounts were used, and it has a stock shortened rear driveshaft. It doesn't vibrate at 55, but the rear shaft would bind at the yokes at full droop until I lowered the transfer case .75". It has no lift and the springs are worn out, I don't know if it would work with any lift at all.
    Posted via Mobile Device
     
  14. Sparky74cj

    Sparky74cj Member

    I do not have a auto in my 74, but I run in the mountains on some pretty nasty terrain. A few guys I run with have 2A's with chev V8's and TH350's and a Spicer 18. Although I will agree it does tend to get tight under there, it is defenately duable. these Willy's run very well with 33 inch tires and a couple inches of lift. I myself have seen a lot of rigs running trails with mods that people say can't be done.
    I myself have penciled the SM465 trans swap and come up with about the same length as a auto after the adapters in front and rear for my D20 and AMC 304.
    It would be a little work but any swap would be!
     
  15. jinpdx

    jinpdx Member

    A TH350 is shorter than a TH400.
     
  16. Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Very true, but the t-400 came stock in Jeeps and bolts up without any additional expensive adapters behind Buick motors.
     
  17. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Yes. The TH350 has a lower 1st. gear, which would be an advantage IMO.
    I guess you pick your poison, and parts availability (what can you find easily) would be a determining factor.