I want to put my Cherokee parts into a '79 CJ. I can get the CJ for $400!!! And it's in decent condition with no motor.
Will I need major adaptors? How about axle Spring perch width? Will the offset rear D44 still line up with the TH400 and QT mounted in the CJ? What do y'all think?
"The Great Pumpkin"
77 Cherokee/SOA/35's
96 XJ/3"/31's
You shouldn't need any adapters. The engine from the Cherokee will bolt up the the TH400. If the CJ has/had a V8 everything should bolt right in. If it had an I6 you will need to change one motor mount and reroute the fuel line and some electrical stuff. You may need a bigger radiator. For the rear 44 you will have to move the spring perches closer together as the CJ frame is narrower than the Cherokee. As long as the entire axle assembly aligned properly the diff should line up with the QT. Be ready for the tires to stick out pretty far. The front will involve more work. You will have to build spring mounts outside of the frame rail as the perch on the passenger side of the front axle is not movable. There may be some steering issues as well. Keep us posted on progress if you decide to do it. This is the place for answers to any questions that pop up through the project.
Sounds like a good deal. I have a wagoneer quadratrac rear axle in my 79 with the QT transfer case. My driveshaft runs straight back too (and down). You will need to cut the shock mounts off the axle but you don't need to worry about the spring perch; it's far enough out not to interfere with the u-bolts. Just weld on a pair of new springs perches and bolt it in.
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