78 cj7

[timgcummins]

Hey guys I'm very new to jeeping so try and take it easy on me. I have a 78 cj7 304 auto with the quadratrac set up ( which I absolutely hate) I'd like some ideas as to a replacement setup I know I have to change the rear axle just want some ideas as to the rest I'm also wanting to go with a manual trans. Thanks

 

[Saddle Tramp]

A lot of discussion to be had on this swap but here is my two cents:

Transmission:
-18 transmission (CJ or Ford version)

Transfer Case:
-Dana 20. Easy bolt up to the T18 (Will need to change rear end.)
-1980 Scout Dana 300 (Will need to change rear end.)
-CJ (round hole) Dana 300 (Will need to change rear end. Only doable with a CJ7, not a CJ5.)
-Large Hole Spicer 18 (Can reuse the existing rear end, you may have a Dana 44)

Rear End:
-1972-1973 Commando Dana 44 (direct bolt in)

 

[steady.foot]

The T18/Dana 300/Dana 44 combination is the best combination that you could get as far as bolt in components. Why do you need to change the rear end? Is it broke? If not then you can make the AMC 20 as strong as a dana 44 by welding the axle tubes to the center section so it won't spin (Unless it already has) And some aftermarket one piece axles. Maybe i'm missing something. Is the quadratrac axle different than the others? Any three, four or five speed transmision out on a CJ will work for you. I'm a little partial to the T4 and T5 transmisions and dana 300 transfer case myself.

 

[eric m]

The quadratrac transfer case has both outputs (front and rear) on the same side, just like the old model18 tcase...so the rear diff isn't centered...think wagoneer...

 

[big_o_tom]

One good thing about the quadratrac is that the rear drive shaft angle is not the bad. I have a ford t-18 with the adaptor and a dana 20 transfer case for $700. I might even have a useable bell housing Id throw in also. Just scrapped a 3.54 geared model 20 you couldve used also. I might also have the brake and clutch pedal you will need, I'll have to look.

 

[superj]

There is a cj7 in the junkyard here with standard trans and tcase on it. Call corpus Christi pick n pull and see if they ship

 

[timgcummins]

What state are you in Tom

 

[timgcummins]

I found a couple cheap axles on Craigslist model 30 front axle $60 obo
model 20 real axle $35 obo. Any thoughts?

 

[big_o_tom]

Im in tn. The t-18 I have was in my jeep when I bought it. Actually I installed it in the jeep when my buddy owned it. The only reason I changed it to the t-18 I have now is because its got the ada ptor for the dana 300 and thats what I wanted to run. It along with the the t case has been sitting in the garage for about ten years. I will look in he morning for the bell housing and clutch pedal. Dont know if I mentioned it before but I have a t-150 and a dana 20 for sale also, dont know much about them other than the seem to be ok, shifters work just fine. I would take $300 for them.

 

[big_o_tom]

What gear ratio do you have? Im going to guess a 3.54, thats what was in my first jeep with the q-trac. You already have a model 30 front, I would look for a '71-75 cj-5 or an '86 cj-7 dana 44 rear end. The older one will more than likely have a 3.73 gear, which is pretty good. I four wheeled my first jeep with a 3.73 dana 44 and a 3.54 dana 30 for two years with out and issues other than it was hard to get out of 4wd.

 

[steady.foot]

The quadratrac transfer case has both outputs (front and rear) on the same side, just like the old model18 tcase...so the rear diff isn't centered...think wagoneer...

Ahha. I learned something new today. Thanks eric m

 

[jps4jeep]

you should not have to replace the rear axle to swap to a center output T-case. the pinion on the 78 rear CJ is only offset a couple inches from center of the axle. The Waggy axles is considerably farther to one side.
You should be able to simply swap out the case and lengthen the driveshaft to make it work. almost every chrysler made from the mid 60's to mid 70's had offset pinions to keep the u-joints lubricated adn to prevent the needle bearings from gauling up.

 

[flatie46]

Im in tn. The t-18 I have was in my jeep when I bought it. Actually I installed it in the jeep when my buddy owned it. The only reason I changed it to the t-18 I have now is because its got the ada ptor for the dana 300 and thats what I wanted to run. It along with the the t case has been sitting in the garage for about ten years. I will look in he morning for the bell housing and clutch pedal. Dont know if I mentioned it before but I have a t-150 and a dana 20 for sale also, dont know much about them other than the seem to be ok, shifters work just fine. I would take $300 for them.

What part of TN are you in?

 

[flatie46]

Hey guys I'm very new to jeeping so try and take it easy on me. I have a 78 cj7 304 auto with the quadratrac set up ( which I absolutely hate) I'd like some ideas as to a replacement setup I know I have to change the rear axle just want some ideas as to the rest I'm also wanting to go with a manual trans. Thanks

Why do you want rid of the quadratrac? I had a friend that had it in his CJ7 and you couldn't stick it, it always amazed me how well it went snow, mud or whatever.

 

[big_o_tom]

Im in tazewell, about an hour from russellville. Hey timg give me a call, 423-259-0470.