i've toyed with the idea before, but i finally sold my jeep and i'm going to pick up a 75 power wagon. i've scored a 5.2 magnum that i'm gonna use a 435 trans behind. so far i plan to use a front 60/ 70 rear, 42" or 44" tsl's, doubler, some 3/4 ton 93-02 rear springs with 4" lift fronts. other than that i havent figured out what exactly i'm gonna do with it. i plan to keep it low so some serious cutting is gonna be needed. anyone have any ideas i might be able to use. :D

It sounds like you've got it pretty well planned out - not sure that I undestand the question. You want ideas on cutting? Or in general?

just ideas in general. i know the 318 is a little small to be tugging around 44's, but with proper gearing, highway driving should be manageable. mostly rockcrawling so i'm wondering if keep the auto and run just a 205 if i'd have enough power when i need it. just opinions on things i might not have thought of. i ask you guys, pick my idea apart. :beer:

As you know I'm fond of the auto, but for turning 42's or 44's with a 318 (or anything else for that matter) I'm pretty sure you'll want the doubler, if you think you'll do anything besides mud. I'm running (at least it WAS running) the 318/727/203 with 4.10's and mainly found the lack of power apparent when hauling my fat ass back and forth to work over a 9800 ft. pass. Offroad it didn't seem to be hurting for power, but then we don't have mud, or sand. I went from a CJ with a T-18 to the auto and found the lack of compression braking rather nonideal; and partly for that reason I'd already planned on doing the doubler in mine - have the 205 sitting on the garage floor. Another part of the issue is that some of the trails here get kinda tight for a large rig (hell, some of them are even tight for my KTM) and extra reduction would help a lot here.

Since you've already got the 727/203 I think you should at least try the auto. When I got this thing I was looking for an NP435/205 to convert, but since pounding on the 727 for a while I've discovered that I like it.
]I don't think that the Magnums require a VSS, except for the anti-lock brakes. I've got a book at home with some information on transplanting a Magnum into an older vehicle, but haven't looked at that section in a while. I do recall that you'll need a notch in the bellhousing (or AT case) for the crank position sensor, but think there's not too much else. I'll check again this evening.

i'd appreciate any info you could find. what book is that your talking about? i was going to pick up the MP book on magnum engines. i think i'll try the combo with the 203 for now and if i need more i'll buy the doubler. checked out offroad design's website last night. that doubler is cool. what size exhaust are you runnin? i was thinking about dual 2-1/4" pipes with a balance(crossover) tube.:beer:

There are four books at home on this sort of stuff now, and four more scheduled to be delivered between now and Tuesday. I was referring to one of Frank Adkins books (just can't remember which one now :rolleyes:). I'll find it though. I'm running 2-1/4" Hooker pipes with a balance tube and two of Summit's $15 mufflers. Headers are Summit house-brand, and actually look like very good quality, if a bit thinner than I'd really prefer. For $80 you can't go wrong on them; if you'd like I'll try to dig up the part number - I've only seen them advertised once. Makes a very nice system.

I suspect that the MP book on Magnum engines would be a good thing to have. I've got their LA book and have found it very useful.

Here are my thoughts on the project:

Stay with the 727 Automatic. I don't want to start an auto/manual debate, but automatics are better for everything if you put a Doubler behind them. Dodge 727's with married 203's, which are half of a doubler, are a dime a dozen.

44's on 4" of lift are a pain. This is what I'm running right now (44" Hawgs but have some Boggers I'm putting on now.)
The tires will hit the cab on uptravel. Not just bump it, but hit so you can't turn. Plan on moving your axle forward even if you cut the fenders back to within 3" of the doors. I'm moving my axle forward at least 2" maybe 3 - 3 1/2", I'm working this out right now. My main problem is I'll be running Avalanche Arms with the tierod and draglink above the springs. The frame starts sloping down and can limit uptravel due to steering linkage interference if you move it too far forward. I may even tub the firewall out. I'm also having to bend the bottom lip on the core support up so the tires won't hit it on compression.

The nice thing about the Doubler would be you could get away with high axle gears on the street and still have good low range offroad.

I don't have any pics of it right now. It's really torn down still. I'll post some when it's moving.

Ryan

i'm planning on keeping the 727/203 and the 360 thats in it. its already there and i had great luck with the q-jet i was runnin on my heep. i also plan to move the axle forward 2 inches and mini tubbing the cabs floor section. also gonna tub the bed. thanks for the honest input. :D