auto tranny
- Thread starter crustyman
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Advanced Adapters and Downey both make adapters. The TH350 is the shortest of your choices, unless you go on the highway a lot I'd recommend that you stick with it. Even then, a "rubber overdrive" of larger tires is better in this situation in my opinion than the longer 700R4 or TH400.
Downey's is super short and both require reworking the front driveshaft to make it work. With Downey, you'll end up with a longer rear driveshaft and possibly avoid having to make a CV. Tom Woods can take your ebrake drum and modify it for a CV setup. In my case, I only ran 2 1/2" of lift and did not a CV.
Either way, you need to mount the motor as far forward as you can. The automatic needs a larger radiator and I'd run the large fan off a 3/4 ton truck.
Downey's is super short and both require reworking the front driveshaft to make it work. With Downey, you'll end up with a longer rear driveshaft and possibly avoid having to make a CV. Tom Woods can take your ebrake drum and modify it for a CV setup. In my case, I only ran 2 1/2" of lift and did not a CV.
Either way, you need to mount the motor as far forward as you can. The automatic needs a larger radiator and I'd run the large fan off a 3/4 ton truck.
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I'm running a TH350 with the longer AA adapter. It can be a bit costly and time consuming, but I believe it is worth it in the end.
I've got a 350/th350 with a Downey adapter. One thing I don't like is the very tight clearance between the front drive yoke on the t-case and the trans oil pan. The po installed a smaller u-joint that he said was sourced from a Nissan. I think Downey offers a smaller joint as well, but I am contemplating do a little grinding on the trans pan and case to see if I can fit the stock u-joint. I've only had the rig on the trail a couple of times but the auto did seem to work well.
I have the 350,th350 combo. Works great!. If you go with the downy
adapter you can still use the parking brake. The front drive yoke
has to be changed to a smaller unit,I belive mine came fron a 280z.
And you have to grind away the trans case at the oil pan flange,but
its no big thing. Everything else that comes with the downy kit
fits very well.
adapter you can still use the parking brake. The front drive yoke
has to be changed to a smaller unit,I belive mine came fron a 280z.
And you have to grind away the trans case at the oil pan flange,but
its no big thing. Everything else that comes with the downy kit
fits very well.
I have the 350/TH400 combo in mine, with the AA adapter.The rear driveline was rather short, and the trans pan needed modification. I just removed it, heated the corner with a torch, and forced it into submission. I have since relocated axles and lengthened the drivelines. It's my first automatic off-roader, I really like it. Make sure you put a good cooler on it !
Downey
SILVER Star
Regardless of who you source an adapter from, please give more thought to the 700R4 tranny. Although it's 1.8" longer than a TH350, it has a much lower first gear, and an overdrive high gear. With our 1" thick adapter, you'll still have plenty of rear drive shaft.
brooklyn
SILVER Star
auto...what do you have now
I had the turbo 400 and V8 and was very unhappy with the combination. The drive shafts were short and the clearance for the oil pan was very tight.
As far as diving, you will need disc brakes to get good stopping power. I had mine in San Francisco and the hills killed the drum breaks - I was always adjusting them. Off road it is a nice setup and I had no real complaints in that area. On the highway there was no real plus and you do with for an overdrive.
I now run a V8 with a SM420 and I like the ride much better. I am also running a 283 and not a 350, which I also prefer. Still no overdrive!
The conversion is expensive and I would only do it to get an overdrive along with good off road handling. Oh yeah...it is an expensive modification.
I had the turbo 400 and V8 and was very unhappy with the combination. The drive shafts were short and the clearance for the oil pan was very tight.
As far as diving, you will need disc brakes to get good stopping power. I had mine in San Francisco and the hills killed the drum breaks - I was always adjusting them. Off road it is a nice setup and I had no real complaints in that area. On the highway there was no real plus and you do with for an overdrive.
I now run a V8 with a SM420 and I like the ride much better. I am also running a 283 and not a 350, which I also prefer. Still no overdrive!
The conversion is expensive and I would only do it to get an overdrive along with good off road handling. Oh yeah...it is an expensive modification.
If you would rather have the auto, that's what you should do.Build the thing the way you want to, you'll be happier in the end.(kinda sounds like a song, doesn't it!)
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- #11
Thanks
Thanks FJFOOL. I am gonna do it. I talked with Jim from Downey and found a guy in Mansfiel TX that will sell me a rebuilt tranny with the output shaft from Downey for $600. the total cost will be (at low end) $1300.00. I am still trying to swallow that. But I'm gonna do it.
Thanks Crustyman
Thanks FJFOOL. I am gonna do it. I talked with Jim from Downey and found a guy in Mansfiel TX that will sell me a rebuilt tranny with the output shaft from Downey for $600. the total cost will be (at low end) $1300.00. I am still trying to swallow that. But I'm gonna do it.
Thanks Crustyman
Don't forget your driveshaft, shifter (Lokar has some nice ones), crossmember or should I say crossmembers, speedo cable (probably easier to go electric), the correct TV cable is extremely important, torque converter, might as well do a seal kit at least on the transfer case. I'm sure I'm missing a few other small details, but point being, I'd guess your $1300 is probalby about 50 percent
.
