How bout this project?
12-31-2008 | 12:35 AM
#51
Registered
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 340
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From: The Sunshine State
700r4 low first gear for a good crawl ratio and quickness out of the hole plus overdrive for getting to the mud hole. They are relatively short for better driveline angles, readily available, many aftermarket parts, etc. Should be able to build one that will live forever behind 350-400hp fairly inexpensively. Advance adapters will set you up with an adapter to go the the dana 300 case, which is a damn good case, strong gear to gear and compact. Chevy performance ramjet 350 crate motor with a warranty. Any cable actuated ratchet shifter.
Sounds like you got some work to do! Good night.
Sounds like you got some work to do! Good night.
12-31-2008 | 06:25 AM
#52
www.Bajaboatowners.com
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 903
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville TN
Mark,
Another good resource for information is Novak's website. They go into quite a bit of detail about these types of swaps.
http://www.novak-adapt.com/index.htm
I agree with the above to keep your current Dana 300 t-case, they don't get much better in a Jeep since they are gear driven and not chain driven. Plus you can convert them to a twin-stick set up and have not only 4wd, 4-lo, and 2wd but 2-lo.
I also like the 700-r4 if you want a 4 speed but if you don't mind a three speed the tried and true TH400 would also not be a bad choice. It all really depends on how much money you want to spend. Since Jeeps are short wheelbase vehicles, any addition of an automatic transmission makes for a very short rear driveshaft. You will have to have new driveshafts made up for both front and back. I would recommend Tom Woods for that. He actually has a design specifically for short shafts.
http://www.4xshaft.com/index.html
As above, there are several companies that offer a cable actuated shifter. These would include TCI, Hurst, B&M and several others.
The only real weak link will be the axles. I know you mentioned he updated them with stronger axle shafts but if I am not mistaken, they are still going to be a C-clip Dana 35 and those little c-clips ain't that strong and are always the weak link. If you are going to use it mostly as a cruiser, this won't be a huge problem but remember HP+torque+big right foot+little axles+big tires=boom. Plus, I would guess the front axle is still a Dana 30, marginal at best for even a 6 cylinder engine. Small shafts, small u-joints, small yokes. Just keep in mind a nice swap to some dana 44s would not be a bad idea if you want the axles to live.
Overall, this is a very common swap. Either Novak, or Advance Adapters can pretty much offer any type of adapter and info you would need to get it worked out. I believe Painless Wiring also makes conversion wiring packages as well.
Another good resource for information is Novak's website. They go into quite a bit of detail about these types of swaps.
http://www.novak-adapt.com/index.htm
I agree with the above to keep your current Dana 300 t-case, they don't get much better in a Jeep since they are gear driven and not chain driven. Plus you can convert them to a twin-stick set up and have not only 4wd, 4-lo, and 2wd but 2-lo.
I also like the 700-r4 if you want a 4 speed but if you don't mind a three speed the tried and true TH400 would also not be a bad choice. It all really depends on how much money you want to spend. Since Jeeps are short wheelbase vehicles, any addition of an automatic transmission makes for a very short rear driveshaft. You will have to have new driveshafts made up for both front and back. I would recommend Tom Woods for that. He actually has a design specifically for short shafts.
http://www.4xshaft.com/index.html
As above, there are several companies that offer a cable actuated shifter. These would include TCI, Hurst, B&M and several others.
The only real weak link will be the axles. I know you mentioned he updated them with stronger axle shafts but if I am not mistaken, they are still going to be a C-clip Dana 35 and those little c-clips ain't that strong and are always the weak link. If you are going to use it mostly as a cruiser, this won't be a huge problem but remember HP+torque+big right foot+little axles+big tires=boom. Plus, I would guess the front axle is still a Dana 30, marginal at best for even a 6 cylinder engine. Small shafts, small u-joints, small yokes. Just keep in mind a nice swap to some dana 44s would not be a bad idea if you want the axles to live.
Overall, this is a very common swap. Either Novak, or Advance Adapters can pretty much offer any type of adapter and info you would need to get it worked out. I believe Painless Wiring also makes conversion wiring packages as well.
Last edited by haulinvols; 12-31-2008 at 06:49 AM.
12-31-2008 | 08:17 AM
#53
Thread Starter
Charter Member #34
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 7,151
Likes: 2
From: Beautiful North Carolina
700r4 low first gear for a good crawl ratio and quickness out of the hole plus overdrive for getting to the mud hole. They are relatively short for better driveline angles, readily available, many aftermarket parts, etc. Should be able to build one that will live forever behind 350-400hp fairly inexpensively. Advance adapters will set you up with an adapter to go the the dana 300 case, which is a damn good case, strong gear to gear and compact. Chevy performance ramjet 350 crate motor with a warranty. Any cable actuated ratchet shifter.
Sounds like you got some work to do! Good night.
Sounds like you got some work to do! Good night.
I appreciate the response and we are totally on the same page with the engine choice. I spent a lot of time researching engines last night and that seems to be the best bang for the buck no question. Thanks for the tranny suggestion that is where I really don't have a clue and with the lower 4.56 gears I would like a four speed for sure.
Thanks & HAPPY NEW YEAR buddy
Doc
12-31-2008 | 08:39 AM
#54
Thread Starter
Charter Member #34
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 7,151
Likes: 2
From: Beautiful North Carolina
Mark,
Another good resource for information is Novak's website. They go into quite a bit of detail about these types of swaps.
http://www.novak-adapt.com/index.htm
I agree with the above to keep your current Dana 300 t-case, they don't get much better in a Jeep since they are gear driven and not chain driven. Plus you can convert them to a twin-stick set up and have not only 4wd, 4-lo, and 2wd but 2-lo.
I also like the 700-r4 if you want a 4 speed but if you don't mind a three speed the tried and true TH400 would also not be a bad choice. It all really depends on how much money you want to spend. Since Jeeps are short wheelbase vehicles, any addition of an automatic transmission makes for a very short rear driveshaft. You will have to have new driveshafts made up for both front and back. I would recommend Tom Woods for that. He actually has a design specifically for short shafts.
http://www.4xshaft.com/index.html
As above, there are several companies that offer a cable actuated shifter. These would include TCI, Hurst, B&M and several others.
The only real weak link will be the axles. I know you mentioned he updated them with stronger axle shafts but if I am not mistaken, they are still going to be a C-clip Dana 35 and those little c-clips ain't that strong and are always the weak link. If you are going to use it mostly as a cruiser, this won't be a huge problem but remember HP+torque+big right foot+little axles+big tires=boom. Plus, I would guess the front axle is still a Dana 30, marginal at best for even a 6 cylinder engine. Small shafts, small u-joints, small yokes. Just keep in mind a nice swap to some dana 44s would not be a bad idea if you want the axles to live.
Overall, this is a very common swap. Either Novak, or Advance Adapters can pretty much offer any type of adapter and info you would need to get it worked out. I believe Painless Wiring also makes conversion wiring packages as well.
Another good resource for information is Novak's website. They go into quite a bit of detail about these types of swaps.
http://www.novak-adapt.com/index.htm
I agree with the above to keep your current Dana 300 t-case, they don't get much better in a Jeep since they are gear driven and not chain driven. Plus you can convert them to a twin-stick set up and have not only 4wd, 4-lo, and 2wd but 2-lo.
I also like the 700-r4 if you want a 4 speed but if you don't mind a three speed the tried and true TH400 would also not be a bad choice. It all really depends on how much money you want to spend. Since Jeeps are short wheelbase vehicles, any addition of an automatic transmission makes for a very short rear driveshaft. You will have to have new driveshafts made up for both front and back. I would recommend Tom Woods for that. He actually has a design specifically for short shafts.
http://www.4xshaft.com/index.html
As above, there are several companies that offer a cable actuated shifter. These would include TCI, Hurst, B&M and several others.
The only real weak link will be the axles. I know you mentioned he updated them with stronger axle shafts but if I am not mistaken, they are still going to be a C-clip Dana 35 and those little c-clips ain't that strong and are always the weak link. If you are going to use it mostly as a cruiser, this won't be a huge problem but remember HP+torque+big right foot+little axles+big tires=boom. Plus, I would guess the front axle is still a Dana 30, marginal at best for even a 6 cylinder engine. Small shafts, small u-joints, small yokes. Just keep in mind a nice swap to some dana 44s would not be a bad idea if you want the axles to live.
Overall, this is a very common swap. Either Novak, or Advance Adapters can pretty much offer any type of adapter and info you would need to get it worked out. I believe Painless Wiring also makes conversion wiring packages as well.
Awesome information as always and much appreciated. I would perfer to stay with a four speed hoping for a higher top end gear. Yes having dual shifters on the transfer case would be awesome that is a great idea. I understand and agree fully with the weak link on the axles and that will eventually come but will be the final part of the build.
Thanks for the link
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Mark
12-31-2008 | 08:45 AM
#55
Thread Starter
Charter Member #34
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 7,151
Likes: 2
From: Beautiful North Carolina
http://www.mandmfab.com/
Hey guys check out the above link. This is a buddy of mine that lives and has his shop just two miles from my house. His name is PJ and he used to work at a premier 4 x 4 shop down in Charlotte for many years. He talked to me about a job with our company three years ago because he did not like the hour plus commute one way six days a week but I could tell he really did not have a passion for what we do. Instead he made the right choice and started his own company building buggies and rock crawlers. He has a ROCK in his back yard that HUGE! I cannot even climb up on it and they take these buggies and try and climb it and flip them over to test them out.
Long story short I spoke with himyesterday and I'm taking the Jeep over there in a few days and he's going to do some minor improvements and he'll do the major stuff for me when I get the engine and transmission together.
He is my Adam & Dave "XT Innovations" for the off road non-water side of life.
Happy New Year everyone
Hey guys check out the above link. This is a buddy of mine that lives and has his shop just two miles from my house. His name is PJ and he used to work at a premier 4 x 4 shop down in Charlotte for many years. He talked to me about a job with our company three years ago because he did not like the hour plus commute one way six days a week but I could tell he really did not have a passion for what we do. Instead he made the right choice and started his own company building buggies and rock crawlers. He has a ROCK in his back yard that HUGE! I cannot even climb up on it and they take these buggies and try and climb it and flip them over to test them out.
Long story short I spoke with himyesterday and I'm taking the Jeep over there in a few days and he's going to do some minor improvements and he'll do the major stuff for me when I get the engine and transmission together.
He is my Adam & Dave "XT Innovations" for the off road non-water side of life.
Happy New Year everyone
12-31-2008 | 11:29 AM
#56
Thread Starter
Charter Member #34
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 7,151
Likes: 2
From: Beautiful North Carolina
http://www.mandmfab.com/id32.html
The above link is to pictures taken right in his back yard. You will see that BIG rock I'm talking about.
There is also a picture mid way down with a tree caught behind a tire. That was actually on one of my employees property and he was there watching when this happened. He lost traction going up and snagged the tree. They winched it up from there. You cannot tell in the picture but it is about a 60 foot hill at a pretty steep angle and he is 3/4 of the way up.
Those guys are crazy!
The buggy in the picture on the left of the home page is brand new and still under construction. He makes those frams from scratch out of straight tube and does all the bending and welding at his house!
The above link is to pictures taken right in his back yard. You will see that BIG rock I'm talking about.
There is also a picture mid way down with a tree caught behind a tire. That was actually on one of my employees property and he was there watching when this happened. He lost traction going up and snagged the tree. They winched it up from there. You cannot tell in the picture but it is about a 60 foot hill at a pretty steep angle and he is 3/4 of the way up.
Those guys are crazy!
The buggy in the picture on the left of the home page is brand new and still under construction. He makes those frams from scratch out of straight tube and does all the bending and welding at his house!
12-31-2008 | 02:43 PM
#58
Registered
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,636
Likes: 0
From: Bucyrus, Ohio
Dock, Ive been a Suburban fan all my life. It was our "family truckster" going on vacations as a kid. I cant remember how many Suburbans dad has owned. BUT, that Jeep is just plain badass. If I lived anywhere south of here Id definately have a Jeep. I say keep the Jeep and let Adam talk you into doing something stupid! 
