Some Questions about a Chevy Drivetrain Swap.

[confusedxj]

Heres the deal!

ive got an 80 Jimmy with a shot body and a crazy for another XJ. now i have 2 of them and im lookin to doa complete swap of drivetrain from the jimmy into one of the XJs. i know AA makes a Kit for the motor to be mounted but i cant seem to find any info on the rest of the swap.

Is there any problem with Steering? ie, will i need to move the steering box?

Will i need a specific style header to clear the unibody?

The specific Drivetrain i will be using is a Crate 350, TH350, NP203, 10 Bolt, 12 Bolt. Will a 205 Replace a 203 without any issues?


Thanks Yall!

[pingpong2]

This really isnt hardcore tech, but since I have some relevant info I will post it

The AA kit moves the engine over to the passenger side 1", this isnt an issue if you are running a drivers drop t-case, but for a passenger side drop it can cause a few headaches.

On my 85 XJ that I have a 4.3 in I used stock exhaust manifolds and The AA kit with no issues

[ashmanjeepXJ]

Originally Posted by confusedxj

Will i need a specific style header to clear the unibody?

The specific Drivetrain i will be using is a Crate 350, TH350, NP203, 10 Bolt, 12 Bolt. Will a 205 Replace a 203 without any issues?

1. Ramhorn exhaust headers fit.
2. Ditch the 10bolt and 12bolt for a 78-79 ford d60 front and a d70 or 14bolt rear.
3. Ditch the back half of the 203 case and run a jeds doubler with a 79 ford 205 behind it twinsticked.
4. A 350 needs a big radiator, I ditched the steering box to fit a larger aluminum rad.
5. carberators suck

[Bubba_Jeep]

Manifolds that collect below the spark plugs won't fit without a lot of frame adjustment--with cut-off tool and welder. So stick to manifolds like the ram's horn, or 86truck manifolds (both collect above the spark plugs).
driver's side installed.

Also note WJ steering box, used to allow wider radiator.

[confusedxj]

well i would love yo ditch the half ton junk but im not gonna drop any more money in this deal than i have too! ive got a samurai for that! this is gonna be my 4x4 that i can drive on the street and go wheelin mostly mud holes with the locals and not bust out the trailer for the sami and findin parkin.


thanks for the advice on the manifolds! im goin to the junkyard to snag some 63" springs ill see about findin those too! seems the stock radiator wont work for cooling SO what radiator are yall runnin? do WJ boxes mount the same? not that itll be an issue for fabricating just courious. i really dont want to rear mount this one, iwanna be able to use the cargo space.

courius about the doubler though, can i do that and keep it drivers side drop? i have a ford 44 front but i dont think the gears match. but if the doubler kit is cheaper than the cost of gears for the axles that might be concidered.

Bubba_jeep : are you runnin AA's Motor Mounts or did you build those. ive built mounts before but i donno if its worth the mess of buildin them when i could jsut drop in the AAs. BUT i would like to HAVE TO use my Hood scoop

[Bubba_Jeep]

I'm afraid a lot of fab went into my WJ box install. But because I HAD to install the late model truck manifolds, I was into major cut and weld, so what's a few more cuts?
To make my Howe radiator work, I cut out the inside and bottom of the front frame rails and grafted in a 3/16x2x6 section of tubing, along with a modified front cross member. the bumper mounts remained in the stock location.
Here's a shot with the new rad in place.

I used the Advanced Adapter's motor mounts. Because I used the late model manifolds, I had to modify both sides. With the ram's horn or early truck manifolds, you shouldn't have any problems with clearance.

[pingpong2]

I just got my Jeds Machine doubler setup for my rig a few weeks ago, and it was 625 with shipping. The setup I got is 203 to d300. Real nice work, and a great guy to deal with. When he tells you your part will be shipped by a certain date he means it.

[confusedxj]

well thank yall for your input today i begin the process of taking the XJs apart! any suggestions of the build im more than willing to accept them!