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Good Combo?

War-Jeeper

War-Jeeper

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So as i plane for the motor swap in my jeep im looking for the "ideal" or as close to "ideal" auto tranny and transfer case combo that wont make my drive shafts uber short (mind you i have a 41 willy's and they are short to begin with).

So im planning on putting in a 4.3L V6
im thinking of doing a TH350 trans (no overdrive doesnt matter going to get trailered anyway)
then mating that to a dana 300 with a 4:1 kit in it.

Is this a good combo or not?

too long for the rig?

if you think its not a good combo or too long for the rig chime in with other ideas cause thats what im looking for right now is ideas:awesomework:
 
That is a pretty standard combo you have listed. I think it will work great and you'll like it when it is done. But I would also be looking at upgrading your axles too. Get some axles out of a Waggy and narrow to what you need.

Rick
PS: May be over sometime this winter and if I got an empty seat it's yours.
 
Wildman said:
That is a pretty standard combo you have listed. I think it will work great and you'll like it when it is done. But I would also be looking at upgrading your axles too. Get some axles out of a Waggy and narrow to what you need.

Rick
PS: May be over sometime this winter and if I got an empty seat it's yours.
Click to expand...


im acctually thinking of just going dana 60's none of this screwing around with trying to build-up axles that will eventually break. Im starting to figure out that its is easier to just build it right than screw with **** all the time lol.


O and that would be awesome!!!!
 
Sorry...Why would you want a 2 speed powerglide in an off road vehicle? Doesn't seem like it would have very good trail gearing....

A 4.3, TH350, D300 is a standard combo and should work very well in a flattie. Parts if needed are in every corner convenient store it seems like....

How big a tire are you running?
 
jeepermc said:
Sorry...Why would you want a 2 speed powerglide in an off road vehicle? Doesn't seem like it would have very good trail gearing....

A 4.3, TH350, D300 is a standard combo and should work very well in a flattie. Parts if needed are in every corner convenient store it seems like....

How big a tire are you running?
Click to expand...

powerglides arent made for offroad i would never go down that road lol.

thats one of my thoughts is that parts would be easy to come by.

im unsure of tire size at the moment because im also doing an axle swap with either 4 linked coils or spring over depending on money, but they will be at least the size i have now which are 34's
 
just saw this for sale on CL TH350 NP205 4x4 - $400, is the 205 as good as the 300? and are parts as easy to find for it
 
War-Jeeper said:
just saw this for sale on CL TH350 NP205 4x4 - $400, is the 205 as good as the 300? and are parts as easy to find for it
Click to expand...

The NP205 is a gear driven t-case. But I think it is WAY bigger than a D300 and won't fit. But I am not an expert so wait til one comments.
 
War-Jeeper said:
im acctually thinking of just going dana 60's none of this screwing around with trying to build-up axles that will eventually break. Im starting to figure out that its is easier to just build it right than screw with **** all the time lol.
Click to expand...
Awesome, in five years you MIGHT be done with a fully capable trail rig, and have no idea what to do with it.

Honestly, at this point, you don't have clue one why you need sixties. You're just doing what everybody else is "telling" you to. Meanwhile, you're not learning how to wheel.


Oh and my opinion on the subject. 4.3 is OK, but do a good manual gear box. Then you won't have as many issues with length. With that little wheel base, you might even have trouble just because of the x-case adapter length.
 
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War-Jeeper said:
just saw this for sale on CL TH350 NP205 4x4 - $400, is the 205 as good as the 300? and are parts as easy to find for it
Click to expand...
Way too heavy and the gearing sucks compared to the D300. You don't need or want a 205....


CrustyJeep said:
Awesome, in five years you MIGHT be done with a fully capable trail rig, and have no idea what to do with it.

Honestly, at this point, you don't have clue one why you need sixties. You're just doing what everybody else is "telling" you to. Meanwhile, you're not learning how to wheel.


Oh and my opinion on the subject. 4.3 is OK, but do a good manual gear box. Then you won't have as many issues with length. With that little wheel base, you might even have trouble just because of the x-case adapter length.
Click to expand...

A manual will help with length issues but I know of at least one well put together flattie with a V-8, TH350, and D18 that works well on 33's. Granted the 18 has a lower output which helps with angles... I honestly don't think he "needs" 60's either. With the combo he's suggesting 44's would be just fine for up to 35's....do you really need more tire than a 35 on a flattie anyways?
 
I know this isn't exactly what you were asking about, but I would really think twice about building your flatty into much more than a mild trail rig. The frame and body just aren't strong enough of a platform to build off of. I've had my '52 M38A1 for about 10 years now and spent countless hours fixing cracks in the frame and repairing torn out body mounts. I finally ended up tearing the whole thing down, replaced the entire floor of the tub, and swapped everything over to a shortened & narrowed YJ frame. Looking back on it, I would have been money and time ahead by building up a later CJ or YJ instead.
 
crusty i get your point, i know 60's are over kill and im not sure i can even affoard them yet, but i figured if im going to build it do it right the first time and be done with it, and its not what people are telling me im coming up with everything on my own.

also about the frame being weak i know this and within the next week everything will be coming out of the rig and i will be plating the entire frame.

and i dont really have the cash to be able to start over with a diffrent rig i would have to replace a bunch of stuff to sell this and dont feel like it and its unique
 
IF you must have an automatic, the 4.3 / th350 combo is as good as can be reasonably done. The D300 is a good combo, see NOVAK ADAPTERS web page for some good reading in their tech columns.
 
ive been to their site before for my tranny rebuild kit so i know i can get an adapter from them for sure.

and yes i want to go with an automatic, even though i like sticks and all i just am thinking it will be one less thing for me to think about on the trail
 
War-Jeeper said:
ive been to their site before for my tranny rebuild kit so i know i can get an adapter from them for sure.

and yes i want to go with an automatic, even though i like sticks and all i just am thinking it will be one less thing for me to think about on the trail
Click to expand...

dude, wheeling a stick is fun. Not something to worry about
 
War-Jeeper said:
hahah what manual tranny would you suggest then?
Click to expand...
I'm not sure, for a 300. For a Dana 20 I'd say a T18 or SM465, because they are SHORT and so are the adapters.

You'll have to research it. There is good into at www.novak-adapt.com. Shop by tranny length and adapter length.

OK fine I want and looked :haha:, looks like the NP435 wins at 13.9" combine tranny and adapter length. That's about an inch longer than my T18/Dana20 combo. Not bad.

Looks like Novak has been working on their stuff. I'm pretty sure their adapters were longer than that a couple years ago.
 

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