Front End Conversion

[P_PlateCJ5]

Does anybody know if its possible to adapt a late model Wrangler or CJ front end to a 74' CJ5?
Also could anyone give me a list of Jeep suppliers and wreckers in Victoria?
Appreciate your help!!

[sir_camel]

Your first question i have no idea about. Any reason for doing it? Why not stick to stock. Not a whole heap of CJ5's round these days.

Regarding Jeep Suppliers... Jeep Suppliers (http://forums.ausjeepoffroad.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=000006)

[P_PlateCJ5]

Yeah just trying to source the cheapest way of converting to front disc brakes, any suggestions?
thanks for the list of suppliers, im new at the jeep game so im trying to find a much info as i can.

[cj5350]

Depends on what you call late model...Uptill the 75 they had a norrow width springs so if you are going to run a different diff you will need to get some different mounts..think the yokes are the same... but check with Wooders and Aussie, they should be able to point you in the right direction...If it's just the disk brakes your worried about...My 75 cj5 runs 35's on 15x10 steel rims moved along but a 350 chev and the HQ Master cyl and Torana Booster stops it on a dime.... smile.gif

Good Luck

CJ5350

[P_PlateCJ5]

Love the thought of a 350. Im just about to get my license and my dad doesnt want me driving on drums. Had a drive and it pulls all over the place. Thats the reason for the change. Do you have to keep readjusting the drums so they dont pull to the side?

[Bogged]

From my understanding of cj's, You can get the knuckles of a disc front end, and convert them over (or it could just be the disc and caliper.. could be wrong!) Then you need to pull the knuckle (drum) off, and replace! Not sure how easy/hard it is.. but hey.. it's doable!

Welcome aswell!

[AussieCJ7]

Originally posted by P_plateCJ5:
Love the thought of a 350. Im just about to get my license and my dad doesnt want me driving on drums. Had a drive and it pulls all over the place. Thats the reason for the change. Do you have to keep readjusting the drums so they dont pull to the side?<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pulling side to side is not due to the drums as a system but other problems you may have a wheel cylinder sticking or a wheel alignment problem or something loose in either the suspension steering or brakes

Well maintained Drums should stop you as well as disc but the problem is Drums are harder to maintatin and require more attention so for most people they dont work as well. Drums also suck in watter and mud.

I was not sure what you meant be swapping the front end out I was worried you wanted to but TJ pannels and grill on then I was going to graemlins/punchface.gif graemlins/twak.gif graemlins/punchface.gif you

If you just want to swap out the diff and steering well anything is possible but $$$ and time come into play.

Try a google search on dana 30 and disc swap Here is the hits google search results (http://www.google.com.au/search?q=dana+30+and+disc+swap&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&meta=)

Wade through that and you should have a pretty clear idea of what involved with putting discs on

If I was going to swap the front diff I wouldnt go for the stock dana 30 but instead to make the effort worthwhile a dana 44 and while I was at a bigger dif in the rear and move the springs to the top for a spring over conversion but then your project has just blown out of all proportion

I think the best thing to keep it realistic is to just swap in the disc Any good brake shop should be able to help

Since you are in Melb go talk to Tony at USA 4x4 he will set you straight on what can and can not be done and give you a guide to $$$

[Jeff]

In before everyone else with:

Got any pics? :D

btw Welcome!

[Wolfe]

My 75 cj5 runs 35's on 15x10 steel rims moved along but a 350 chev and the HQ Master cyl and Torana Booster stops it on a dime.... <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Did you do the work yourself? how easy was it? How much did it cost? Where did you get parts etc. :D

[ 26 April 2003, 06:57 AM: Message edited by: Wolfe ]

[Wooders]

Welcome aboard P-Plate (hmm I best update the rollcall thread)...
Interestingly I thought initally you were talking panels too & I thought graemlins/slap.gif ....but diffs is :D ....

So now onto the questions...as Dave said pulling to one side isn't an issue with the drums themselves and generally drums require less braking effort than discs, ie why you'll often see smaller or no brake vacuum booster...But where drums really suck is they are less efficient in dispersing heat and are more prone to fade and drums combined with muddy water is a bit ugly as the braking all but vanishes and if not cleaned out mud can easily seize drums....

If you really want the discs, I would suggest you look at swapping on the just the discs and calipers from either a late model CJ, or even have a look at early F100 disc and see if you can get those to fit....but don't forget you WILL need to ensure the proportioning is working correctly and that you also get a BEEFIER booster as discs require MUCH more pressure to get the required clamping....

If you are determined to swap the front diff then you have a few options:
1. If you think you'll be going big (ie 35"+ tyres) then look for a 9" or dana44 front diff...Width will be you're main issue...

2. CJ Dana30 will work - but the widths will be your issue to contend with....Oh yeah make sure the donor isn't a Quadratrak or the pumpkin will be on the wrong side. Downside of the CJ D30 is they have the weaker 260uni in the front - but since that's what you'd already have I suppose it's no big loss - but you're not gaining any strength.

3. YJ or TJ or XJ dana30's....YJ has the undesirable 260Uni and the two peice front axle with the vaccum disco - it's NOT the sorta axle you want. TJ has the much better 297Unis and no axle disco, BUT the pumpkin is on the wrong side and there's no hubs (which could be an issue with your Dana20 t/case)....If you REALLY want a TJ front end, you probably be best getting a TJ t/case as well - but it's longer and then you still need to make sure it fits and have serious thoughts about where the driveshafts will run relative to exhausts and engines etc....
The XJ front end is actually better again than the TJ becuase its a high pinion, but you'll have the same issues as the TJ.....Of of course will all of these axles the width will still be an issue too....

Personally considering all of the above I'd get the pulling issue resolved regardless then either keep the drums or look to just swapping the discs calapers...

Well that's my brain dump...phew...

[Bogged]

If you do get an xj front end.. The high pinion only comes with the older (i think pre 97) models.. I have a 2001.. and no high pinion!

[P_PlateCJ5]

Thanks for all the ideas guys, really appreciate it. All i really wanna do is convert to discs and i just wanted to know if it was easier to change the whole diff and axle instead. Appatrantly the backing plate on the brakes needs to be machined and then a bolt on kit is avaliable but its pretty expensive.
By the way, dont worry, i dont want to change the look of my CJ. If i did i'd kick my own arse, best looking car on the road i reakon. Cheers

[cj5350]

Wolfe
The conversion is a bit of a pain but works well
I think I made mine harder because I swapped in a HZ coloum at the same time...parts whare about $30 bucks from the local wreckers...then you just need a good welder and a die griders and you have your power brakes...ask wooders about the welding...he might be able to help....

Cheers

CJ5350

[Wooders]

LOL Wooders is only a novice welder - slowly getting better - but still VERY much a novice graemlins/crying.gif

[billsta]

yeah woody, we all like to mimic bird shit with the weld :D

[Gildo]

Im with the rest of em, if you want to change to discs, go the whole axle from a mid 80s CJ.
I have a VH305 Bendix booster- same as a XU1 Torana (Ithink)and with the discs, locking up is probably more of a danger than a little pull to one side. This pull could be somthing as simple as tyre pressure??
Id also reccomend going to power steering or joining a gym. Once you get some bigger rubber and wack in the sports steering wheel, you may not be able to steer the thing at all.
Pester Tony at USA 4X4 9587 2244, he can prolly answer the Q's and has or can source the parts.
Welcome aboard graemlins/beerchug.gif

[OzJeeper]

Discs/rotors/hubs from the early model Dihatsu Rocky will just about fit straight on with a bit of machine work.
Fit a brake booster unit from an early model Torana and away you stop.
No need to go the full axle treatment.

amen to all

[cj5350]

Sorry Blista, maybe I should a steered them in your direction smile.gif ...BTW...how is the cj going? any more pics?

Cheers