Cj7 ideas welcome

[Linz1607]

Hi folks.
I'm looking at a 1981 cj7 that requires a motor and gearbox, from what I understand the original motor was a 6cyl and had a manual g,box. The original diffs are still installed. I was considering a conversion to a v8 and auto ( maybe 350 and turbo 400 box.) but then staring thinking about later model running gear. Like a later model auto and transfer case out of a grand Cherokee, say mid 1990's, and possibly using the diffs as well, to get disc brakes? I assume the diffs can be modified to suit leaf springs as opposed to coils?

I understand there wil be engineering issues with what I am proposing, that will require paperwork and money.
looking for some guidance on what's a sensible upgrade option and keen to hear your opinions.
Lindsay

[ian]

Do you want to keep it original jeep or go new. You can get a amc360 out of a FSJ and run a turbo400 very easy. My old cj7 had a amc304 and it was the actual v8 option for the cj7 in the U.S.. They are a bit of a truck motor but nice if you want it all jeep. Also sounds tuff.

[CJ6np435]

If you want to run 33's engineered legally you will have to use FSJ diffs,

[Wooders]

I like the 4.0L but rather the XJ transmission / tcase combo over the ZJ.
The XJ has the better HP D30 but the catspiss weak D35 rear.
The ZJ rear D35 is marginally better cause it has disc brakes but hardly a strong desirable diff. The ZJ front is a slightly weaken LP but runs the much weaker CVs rather than unis.
If doing a diff swap the TJ rear would be the pick from this era.
Keep in mind with the diff centre on the other side you might have to tweak your steering for clearance.
If you currently have a D300 I'd keep that and not swap tj/xj/zj diffs.
Also much depends on your target tyre size.

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[Wooders]

Originally Posted by CJ6np435

If you want to run 33's engineered legally you will have to use FSJ diffs,

Plenty of people have tj/xj diffs engineered to legally run 33s.

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[Shafus]

Go the 350 chev with turbo 700 auto, that extra gear and overdrive are great. If it's got wide track diffs just keep them

[Linz1607]

Thanks guys for all your comments, the Dana 300 transfer case sounds like the go, with a t700 auto. I,m not sure what diffs are in the jeep at the moment, I guess if I measure from drum to drum, I can identify width, as for model type is there any identifying features I should look for?, the front diff is offset to the drivers side, the rear is in the centre.